The SITB  Società Italiana del Tiro al Bersaglio - The Oldest Italian American Sharpshooting Club

* In the LA Government Arhives - Act 15 1892 Sec. 1. Pg. 25 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes recognized the Society as a Militia and it could be mustered into military law enforcement service by the Governor.

According to a book entitled "Louisiana History" with a chapter on Louisiana's Italian Immigrants (page 61): "As the Italian population grew, there was a demand for a second society. Called "Tiro-al-Bersaglio" ("Hit the Target"), it was known as the Italian society and it was chartered on March 10, 1869. It was a mutual beneficial society and a marksmen's club, divided into civil and military branches. In 1870 the members met at 18 Royal Street in the French Quarter.

For the 1890 Funeral of Jefferson Davis, the Tiro Al Bersaglio officered by Captain Patorno marched in the parade to honor the President of the Confederate States of America. There were 3 companies with over one hundred men, rank and file.  Their dark olive-green uniforms and broad -brimmed, low crowned black hats, freely garnished with black feathers, contrasted strikingly with the blue and gray uniforms of those who preceded them.

We Invite you to join the oldest Italian Club and Militia in the Americas. Founded in 1868 and Incorporated in 1869. We are the oldest Latin American Society of which we were formerly recognized by the state government as a militia and military society.  Further, we are one of the oldest Latin American organizations in the United States of America.

In the year 1970, The civil officers of our society included: Fabio Sanminiatelli, president, the Italian consul as well; Gennaro Miniere, vice president; G. Dell'Orto, secretary, a physician; and Ulisse Bassette, treasurer, an accountant with the Knickerbocker Mutual Life Insurance Company.

The military officers were: A.J. Sansoni, captain and owner of the Exchange Saloon; Antonio Sidoti, first lieutenant and operator of fruit and vegetable stands in the Poydras Market; and Louis Torre, second lieutenant, a merchant." According to a footnote, the above information was taken from the New Orleans Directory, 1873 p. 505 and Edward's Annual Directory ... for 1870, p. 781.

* In the LA Government Arhives - Act 15 1892 Sec. 1. Pg. 25 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes recognized the Society as a Militia and it could be mustered into military law enforcement service by the Governor.