Louisianian Remembers Johnson's Island

Horace Carpenter started the war as a Sergeant with the Beaver Creek Rifles from St. Helena Parish. His company was formed on April 25, 1861 shortly afterwards became Company G of the 4th Louisiana Infantry. Carpenter and his company served with this regiment until after the Battle of Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862). The 4th Louisiana was a 12 Month Volunteer unit and in May of 1862 they were transferred to Edwards Depot to reorganize. In this reorganization, Captain James H. Wingfield was able to get the Rifles transferred out of the regiment and sent to Louisiana. Once there, Wingfield used the company as the nucleus to form the 9th Louisiana Partisan Rangers. In this reorganization, Carpenter became a Lieutenant in the new Beaver Creek Rifles Company (Now Co. E in the new battalion). When the Siege of Port Hudson began in May of 1863, part of this unit, including Carpenter, were caught inside the siege lines. When that post surrendered, Carpenter was sent to Johnson's Island.

Here is Carpenter's story of his ordeal titled "Plain Living at Johnson's Island."