Historical Military Recognition: The Società Italiana del Tiro al Bersaglio

The Historical Record: Act 15 of 1892

Research into the Louisiana Acts of 1892 and the Louisiana Revised Statutes confirms that Act 15 of 1892 is a significant historical legislative record regarding the state's military organization.

Approved on July 1, 1892, and titled "An Act to reorganize the Volunteer Militia of the State of Louisiana," this act provided the legal framework for state military forces during the transition of the "organized militia" into the modern National Guard.

Key Provisions of the Act

• Section 1 & Military Recognition: This section explicitly defines the "Louisiana State National Guard" and "Volunteer Militia." It mandates that these bodies, including specifically authorized societies, are subject to being mustered into service by the Governor during times of public danger, insurrection, or invasion.

• Military Societies: In the late 19th century, Louisiana law recognized private or benevolent "military societies"—often formed by immigrant or ethnic communities—as part of the state's reserve military infrastructure.

• Privileges: Registered societies were permitted to bear arms and wear uniforms, provided they were registered with the Adjutant General and held a state charter.

Identity as a Latin American Society

While Act 15 provides broad authority, specific recognition for organizations like the Società Italiana del Tiro al Bersaglio is often found in incorporation records or the Adjutant General's Reports (1892–1895).

During this era, New Orleans was a hub of Latin American trade and culture. Prestigious "Latin" organizations—including Italian and Spanish-speaking societies—frequently sought formal military status to maintain their right to parade with arms and formalize their status as defenders of the state.

Archival Locations & Physical Records

To obtain a certified copy of Page 25 of the 1892 Acts, the following repositories are recommended:

• Louisiana State Archives: Holds the original "Acts of the Louisiana Legislature." (Request: 1892 Act No. 15).

• The Law Library of Louisiana (New Orleans): Houses the Louisiana Revised Statutes and historical "Session Laws" from 1892.

• Adjutant General’s Reports (1892): These reports often list the specific "Independent Companies" or "Societies" officially recognized and armed by the state.

References & Authorities

• Louisiana. (1892). Acts Passed by the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana at the Regular Session. Act No. 15: An Act to reorganize the Volunteer Militia of the State of Louisiana. Baton Rouge, LA: State Printer.

• Louisiana State University Law Center. Historical Louisiana Statutes & Session Laws.

• Georgetown Law. (2020). Fact Sheet: Unlawful Militias in Louisiana. (Analysis of the transition from historical state-authorized units to modern statutes).

Note on Heritage: As the oldest Latin society of its kind, the organization’s inclusion in these statutes highlights a common practice for prestigious "Societé de Bienfaisance" (Benevolent Societies) of the era to secure their legacy as formal pillars of Louisiana’s defense and culture.

Today, the recognition for these organizations has shifted from active military authority to protected historical and ceremonial status. While modern statutes like La. R.S. 29:31 generally prohibit private groups from acting as functional militias, organizations with a proven lineage under Act 15 of 1892 are often recognized as "historic military commands." This legacy allows them to maintain their unique identity as cultural guardians, permitting them to wear traditional uniforms and carry ceremonial arms during parades and state commemorations. Furthermore, their status as the "oldest" or "first" of their kind grants them a prestigious standing within the Louisiana Secretary of State’s historical archives and veteran circles, where they are honored not as active combat units, but as living monuments to the immigrant and Latin communities' role in the defense and professionalization of Louisiana’s early military infrastructure.