LOUISIANA MOBILZES: Western Units

The second major call for Louisiana volunteers to "meet the call" came in March-April of 1862. U.S. Grant's capture of Forts Donelson and Henry in February, coupled with his quick landing at Pittsburg Landing near Corinth, Mississippi, caused a major rocus throughout south. In a quick jab, Grant was on the verge of capturing the entire Mississippi River defenses from Island No. 10 to Memphis. There was a widespread call by Confederate authorities for a major concentration of Confederate forces at Corinth.

Solid Red Lines Indicates Routes Taken by Louisiana Units to Corinth during February-March, 1862

Red Hashed Line Indicates Johnston's Retreat to Corinth

Solid Blue Lines Shows Pope's and Grant's Attack on the Mississippi & Tennessee Rivers

Various Louisiana units that were already organized and in the field were part of this move but there was also a call for volunteers across the state to meet the threat. From Mobile, Alabama, as part of Braxton Bragg's garrison, came the 1st Louisiana Regulars. Retreating from its outflanked position at Columbus, Kentucky came the 11th, 12th, 13th and 21st Regiments. Of these, the 21st Regiment would not reach Corinth until after the Battle of Shiloh and the 12th Louisiana was never sent to Corinth. Instead, the regiment went to Ft. Pillow and then to Memphis; never joining the Army of the Mississippi. Garrisoning the coastline of South Louisiana at Brashear City came the 4th Louisiana and from the city of New Orleans Daniel Ruggles was sent north with a brigade from that city's garrison consisting of the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th Regiments. Arriving later from New Orleans came the 20th Louisiana and arriving too late for Shiloh came the 25th Louisiana.

Desperate for as many men as possible, the Secretary of War authorized Governor Thomas O. Moore raise units for temporary service. Under this call, several 90 Day organizations were enlisted: The 24th Louisiana (Crescent Regiment), Orleans Guards Battalion and the 5th Company of the Washington Artillery.

Below is the list of Louisiana units serving in the Western Theater (east of Mississippi River). The list shows when the unit was mustered into service. It also shows from what location the unit came before arriving Corinth and also shows where they went if they did not go to Corinth. The units in red did not fight at Shiloh. All the units in black were part of the Army of the Mississippi at the Battle of Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862).

UNIT Location Stationed

1st Louisiana Regulars Pensacola

4th Louisiana Brashear City, La.

11th Louisiana Columbus, Ky.

12th Louisiana Columbus, Ky. ->Pillow ->Memphis

13th Louisiana Columbus, Ky.

16th Louisiana New Orleans

17th Louisiana New Orleans

18th Louisiana New Orleans

19th Louisiana New Orleans

20th Louisiana New Orleans

21st Louisiana Columbus, Ky. ->Pillow->Corinth

24th Louisiana New Orleans

25th Louisiana New Orleans->Memphis->Corinth

Orleans Guards Bn. New Orleans

5th Co. Washington Arty. New Orleans

Similar to the eastern units the western units underwent organizational changes and reorganization. By August of 1862, only 7 of the 15 Louisiana units were left in the Army of the Mississippi:

• 1st Louisiana Regulars
• 13th Louisiana
• 16th Louisiana
• 20th Louisiana
• 25th Louisiana
• Austin's Battalion (formed from the disbanded 11th Louisiana)
• 5th Company WA

The other eight departed the army for a variety of reasons:

• 4th Louisiana Regiment: Ordered to Edwards Station, Mississippi. It was reorganized and joined the river defenses for Vicksburg and Port Hudson.
• 17th Louisiana Regiment: Transferred to Vicksburg where it became part of that city's garrison.
• 18th Louisiana Regiment: Was detached to Pollard, Alabama, with the 19th Louisiana, where they became part of the Mobile defenses. It eventually was transferred to Louisiana where it rejoined the 24th Regiment as part of Alfred Mouton's Brigade.
• 19th Louisiana Regiment: Detached to Pollard, Alabama, with the 18th Louisiana, and became part of the Mobile garrison.
• Orleans Guards Battalion: Unit disbanded at the end of its 90 days. From its ashes a company was organized and attached to the 30th Louisiana.
• 24th Louisiana Regiment (Crescent): The regiment was disbanded with orders to re-muster itself in south Louisiana.
• 11th and 21st Louisiana Regiments: Were both disbanded at the end of July and early August. Members of the 11th Louisiana were dispersed between the 13th and 20th Louisiana Regiments. Born from the 11th Regiment was Austin's Sharpshooters Battalion. Members of the 21st Louisiana mostly went to the 1st Regulars except for one company that was transferred to the 20th Regiment.

LOUISIANA MOBILIZES: Eastern Units

On two occasions early in the war (April-August 1861 and March-April 1862) Louisiana provided two bulk waves of units/recruits to the war effort. The first concentration, from the outbreak of war through July of 1861, was the scramble to reach Virginia "before the war was over." The second mobilization of Louisiana units came to meet U.S. Grant's quick strike at Corinth, Mississippi. In both situations, Louisiana mobilized thousands of men and quickly sent them to the front. The first of these mobilizations has been best documented by Terry L. Jones' Lee's Tigers. Jones' book is about the Louisiana units that fought in Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. This post is by no means ground breaking but I noticed that the majority of our units were mobilized and pushed into action to meet these two events (Jump to Virginia and Grant's threat of Corinth).

Two calls for volunteers came in April of 1861. To meet the call, Louisiana organized and sent a multitude of units to Virginia: 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, and 14th Regiments; Wheat's 1st Special Battalion, Dreaux's 1st Battalion, Coppens' Zouaves Battalion, Bradford's 3rd Louisiana Battalion, and a collection of independent companies that were eventually formed into Waddell's 4th Louisiana Battalion and St. Paul's 7th Louisiana Battalion. Topping off the list were four batteries of the Washington Artillery. The exodus of Louisiana units to Virginia began in early April of 1861 and continued until early August of 1861. The height of movements east was during May-June. Below is a chronological list of when units were mustered into Confederate service and then when they departed for Virginia.

UNIT Acct. into Service Ordered to, or Left for Va

Dreaux's 1st Bn. April June 15

Coppens' Zouave Bn. early April June 1

1st Louisiana April 28 April 29

Washington Artillery May 26 May 27

2nd Louisiana May 11

5th Louisiana June 4 June 5

6th Louisiana June 4 June 9

7th Louisiana June 5 June 6

Wheat's 1st Special Bn. June 5 June 13

8th Louisiana June 15 June 22

9th Louisiana July 6 July 13

10th Louisiana July 22

14th Louisiana ("1st Polish") June 16

3rd Louisiana Bn. ("2nd Polish") June 16 August 25

The exodus of Louisiana units to Virginia began in early April of 1861 and continued until early August of 1861. The height of movements east was during May-June.

It looks as though the average trip from the Camp Moore-New Orleans region was a 5-7 day trip. The route was pretty routine: North through Jackson and Grenada, Mississippi; Grand Junction, Tennessee and then east to Corinth, across northern Alabama and to Chattanooga; northeast through Knoxville and Bristol and then to Lynchburg. From there units either went on through to Manassas or east to Richmond. The exception was the trip of Dreaux's and Cozzens' Battalions from Pensacola, Florida.

The 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Regiments and Wheat's Battalion were sent to Northern Viriginia. These units formed the basis of what became the Taylor-Hays 1st Louisiana Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia. Eventually, Wheat's Battalion was disbanded in August of 1862 and disbanded to its sister units. Also, the 5th Louisiana regiment was attached following the Seven Days Campaign. The 9th and future 14th Regiments jumped a around a little bit but by October 1862 the 1st Louisiana Brigade took shape (one it kept until May 1864): 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Louisiana Regiments.

The 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 10th Regiments, along with Coppens' and Dreaux's Battalions, were sent to Southeast Virginia/Peninsula region. St. Paul's Battalion was originally sent to Northern Viriginia but then joined the Louisiana units on the Peninsula. This collection of units formed the basis of the eventual 2nd Louisiana Brigade. It was the Peninsual group that faced the biggest changes in organization due to the multiple battalions. In May 1862, Dreaux's Battalion was disbanded with one company joining the 1st Louisiana and a large group forming Fenner's Louisiana Battery. Several officers from Dreaux's unit made their way back to Louisiana where the found higher comissions in new regiments being formed for a new concentration out west (i.e., Captain Stuart Fisk becoming the new Colonel of the 25th Louisiana). Bradford's 3rd Battalion and St. Paul's 7th Battalion were combined on August 1st to form the 15th Louisiana Infantry. From October 1862 until May 1864 the 2nd Louisiana Brigade was organized as: 1st, 2nd, 10th, 14th and 15th Louisiana Regiments.

Of all the Louisiana units sent to Virginia Waddell's 4th Battalion became the exception. Itwas not a unit sent from Louisiana to Virigina. Instead, it was created in Viriginia from a collection of miscellanious companies that had arrived from Louisiana. It was created in Richmond in July and never joined the units in Viriginia was part of the future "Lee's Tigers" Louisiana Brigades. Instead, it served briefly in Richmond, then to the east coast and evnetually was transferred west were it was ultimately ordered to Gibson's Louisiana Brigade of the Army of Tennessee in November of 1863.

1st LA Inf's Color-Bearer @ Gettysburg

MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [ATLANTA, GA], August 8, 1863



Heroic Color-Bearer.
We learn from the Examiner that among the paroled prisoners who have reached Richmond, from the last flag of truce, is C. S. Clancey, color-bearer of the 1st Louisiana regiment, who was taken prisoner in the battle of the 2nd of July, at Gettysburg, while bearing his colors up to the very front of the enemy's breastworks, amid a perfect tornado of shell and bullets. Finding himself cut off from escape, and certain to be either killed or captured, Clancey tore his already bullet-torn flag from its staff, and secured it underneath his shirt. He was taken prisoner, and carried to Fort McHenry, Baltimore, and from thence sent to Fort Delaware, carrying his flag with him, not floating to the breeze, of course, but furled beneath his shirt. Clancey kept his own secret while in the fort, and when the sick and wounded prisoners were selected to be sent Southward, he feigned extreme illness, and was put on board the steamer, with a number of others, still holding fast to his regimental colors, which he brought safely away, and exhibited in this city yesterday. The flag bears the perforations of upwards of two hundred bullets and one shell, and the piece of another, passed through it in the fight at Gettysburg. Clancy is the sixth color bearer of the regiment, five having fallen in battle, with the identical flag in their grasp. The sixth, Clancy, has carried the flag for nearly a year, and he certainly can claim to have carried it farther into the North than the Confederate flag has ever yet been advanced, and, what is better, back again in triumph.

Art Bergeron

Historian Art Bergeron passed away early this month. I wanted to take the time to acknowledge the loss of a major contributor to Louisiana and its role in the Civil War. He proved to be a pioneer with Louisiana Confederate military history. Mr. Bergeron proved to be a patient and gracious man. I came into contact with him around 1995-96 time span when I was conducting research as an undergraduate student at McNeese State University. Since that time, Mr. Bergeron assisted me on various issues up to just a few months ago. I wanted to take the time to acknowledge the accomplishments of Mr. Bergeron and encourage all to read a tribute posted to Mr. Bergeron on the Civil War Message Board. A quick Google search will show that Mr. Bergeron touched and reached a lot of people in the Civil War community through his work.

"Cagins"

We put together a post on Louisiana's Jayhawkers of southwest Louisiana a few weeks ago. Some good stories on Jayhawking were linked and included were some newspaper accounts on the fighting that took place from the Ville Platte-Opelousas-Vermillionville region. Texans fighting in the region, fighting against the Jayhawkers and those that were simply passing across the region quickly drew an unfavorable opinion of Louisianians in this area. Included in our post on Jayhawking was an article from the Houston Tri-Weekly Telegraph. Here is another story from the same paper informing its readers on "Cagins" of southwest Louisiana:

[HOUSTON] TRI-WEEKLY TELEGRAPH, November 14, 1863

Much has been said by our Texas soldier in Louisiana against the Cagins [sic] of that State. It is probable that many of our readers may be ignorant of the character of these Cagins. From a citizen of that State we learn they are an extremely ignorant class of population, inhabiting the rural districts, who have descended from the criminals transported by the French in the last century to this region. They are viscous by nature, and little better by education, looked upon with distrust by the people, and the antipathies between them and our troops are hardly less than that between them and the whites of that State. They are said in fact to be about on a level with the negro in intelligence, and two degrees below him in viciousness. Just previous to the war, the Governor of Louisiana made a raid upon them for some sort of scoundrelism or other, and scattered them far and wide, some even having found a refuge in the pine forests and cypress swamps on the Sabine. These Cagins, on the breaking out of the present war regarded it as in some way connected with that raid, and they look upon the United States troops as coming to revenge them of the injuries they suffered from the Louisiana State authorities. These Cagins being free, are all subjects to conscription, and the result of attemptying to conscript them has been to fill that country with outlaws, whose jayhawking is a terror to the people. When put in the ranks they are worse than useless, pursuing that dogged and stubborn disposition characteristic of all criminals under civilized restraint. Many have been shot for desertion, and our opinion is the army would be better for driving every man of them into the enemy's lines.

Louisiana's Colonels

Bruce Allardice author of Confederate Colonels has extended an open hand to our readers seeking assistance with our great state's Colonels. I speak first hand of the gracious help Bruce extended me in my research on the Colonels in the Adams-Gibson Louisiana Brigade. A brigade that contained numerous Colonels it required me at times to seek outside assistance. I found his book on Confederate Colonels to be a great assest in helping to find new information or fill in holes when I ran into a dead end. Click on the link provided to visit Mr. Allardice's site with his contact information. Thank you Mr. Allardice for your assistance!

• Link to other works written by Mr. Allardice

Bewitching Grace?

MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL [ATLANTA, GA], December 4, 1863

It is a pity the ladies of Atlanta have as little of the good taste in dress or the bewitching grace of their fair countrywomen of Louisiana. If they combined these latter with the beauties with which nature has endowed them, the Turk would resign all claims to Paradise, for the privilege of living out his natural term in the society of half a dozen of these Georgian houris.

10th Louisiana Letters

Michael Jones, author of the history of the 10th Louisiana Infantry and the man behind The South's Defender, posted a write up on some letters from Edward Seton of Co. K of the 10th Louisiana. Nice read. Thanks for the post Mike!

Louisiana Rum

Multiple accounts of Yanks in Louisiana talk about the "Louisiana rum" and how they (Yanks) made good use of the item when they stole it from the local inhabitants. General William Dwight noted in his official report on the Teche Campaign (April-May 1863). Following the Battles of Fort Bisland and Irish Bend, Dwight took part in the pursuit of Richard Taylor's army through New Iberia:

April 23rd: "...Having obtaind a good guide, I sent a force of cavalry to capture this flat-boat. It was captured...It turned out to be loaded with about 50 barrels of the best quality of Louisiana rum (made from the sugar instead of molasses), some sugar, and some lard."

April 27th: "At night in New Iberia there was some noise and confusion in this brigade, owing to the fact that some soldiers got hold of Louisiana rum."

Brigadier General Robert A. Cameron reported an incident with the 16th Indiana Mounted Infantry in the La Fourche District on November 30, 1864:

"I heard by rumor that Captain Moore, his officers and men, had seized a quantity of Louisiana rum and were on a drunken spree, committing various depredations, and that one of his men had attempted to rape a mulatto girl and had shot and killed her for resisting. I immediately sent a messanger with an order to Captain Moore to return...The messanger found the officers gone, but the senior sergeant opened the order and returned with the command. The sergeant reported that Captain Moore had taken all the officers witih him, a sergeant and six men, in an open boat and had been absent from his command for four days...It appears that Captain Moore with the balance of his officers abandonded their command in a state of intoxication on the evening of the 23rd and was led by Raymond Luke to the camp of a rebel officer and his recruiting party and fell an easy prey...I have the murderer Hilton in custody and he will be tried for murder."

In an account in Among the Cotton Thieves the author, Colonel Bacon of the 6th Michigan, describes a particular situation where the flanking skirmishers of his regiment advanced too far. Bacon said, "...in returning the fire of the enemy my own men are likely to send some shots among their friends, and the effect of the Louisiana rum, which has been freely used, may be such as to give another fine example of federal soldiers getting into a skirmish among themselves."

Seems the reputation of Louisiana Rum was known outside of south Louisiana:

SELMA MORNING REPORTER, August 27, 1863

The liquors purchased in this section of country by ex-members of the "Sons of Temperance," are very inferior to those described by our Richmond friend. An article generally known as Louisiana rum, is becoming rather too common for health among our military friends. To use the language of a recent purchaser, "It would burst up a bible society." If a man is rash enough to take more than one drink, he becomes mean enough to steal his mother's wedding ring, for the purpose of exchanging it for a negro's possum dog. Not using the article, we cannot be positive, but we honestly believe it would kill an able bodied man, off hand, at less than thirty yards.

It would burst up a bible society...he'll become mean enough to steal his mother's wedding ring to exchange for a negro's possum dog? WOW! More to come on this topic!

1st La Regulars Christmas Party

MOBILE REGISTER AND ADVERTISER, December 31, 1862

Murfreesboro', Christmas night, 1862.



The day has been observed here with more than anticipated festivity, considering the situation of our country and the surrounding circumstances. On Christmas day, wherever we may be, all our thoughts fly homewards and to distant friends. I cannot help thinking what a sad picture New Orleans presented to-day, under the iron rule of the Cyclops Beast Butler, to the happy family scenes of security and protection of Christmas a year ago! But the change is too sad and sorrowful to dwell upon, and but give place to thoughts and feelings of a stinging vengeance yet to be reeked upon the foe. Had Bouligny, the Creole duelist, have fallen in destroying the life of Butler the Beast, he would have left a name covered with glory—instead of which his defeat but doubly damns his infamy. But let us turn from such miserable contemplations to pleasanter reflections. Last night was one of joyous revelry. Besides the private entertainments on the occasion of Christmas eve, a grand ball came off a the Courthouse, given by the officers of the 2d Kentucky and 1st Louisiana Regiments. It was gotten up in splendid style, and with that exquisite taste which Louisianans and Kentuckians have ever excelled in. The following is a copy of the card of
INVITATION
Murfreesboro', Dec. 24, 1862. Mr. ______: The pleasure of your company is requested to a party to be given by the officers of the 2d Kentucky and 1st Louisiana Regiments, at the Courthouse, Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1862.
Committee of Invitation:
Mrs. Lewis Maney.

Mrs. Dr. Valentine
Mrs. Leiper


Col. Jno. A. Jaques, 1st La."

.Maj. Jas. W. Hewitt, Commanding 2d Ky."


Gentlemen not accompanied with ladies will be required to present this at the door. The grand ball room was magnificently decorated, the walls being festooned with evergreens and banners, while on the corners were stacks of arms with glistening bayonets. At the head of the hall was a beautiful wreath, with the letters "Ky. and La.", beneath which was the music stand, beautifully decorated with the colors of both regiments and Gen. Polk's battle flag. At the foot was written the word "Shiloh," and the letter B, in a circle of evergreens, to represent Beauregard, in which battle the 1st Louisiana distinguished itself. On the right was "Hartsville," with the letter B over it, encircled with evergreens, to represent Breckinridge, beneath which was a splendid silken flag of the old Union, drooping in disorder and disgrace, captured from the Abolitionists at Hartsville. Following on the same side, was "Donelson," with another B over it, for Buckner, in which the gallant 2d Kentucky fought with such heroism, and underneath was draped their battle flag. On the left were the words "Pensacola—Santa Rosa," with a B over both to represent Bragg, the Commanding General. Beneath were captured flags of the enemy. In the corners of the room were large branches of cedar trees, representing a grove, to which were attached different colored lanterns, giving to the hall a most rural and romantic appearance of illuminated garden bowers. It was the most elegant and select ball of the season, and drew together the most accomplished, beautiful and lovely women of Rutherford county which is so deservedly famed for its beauty and intelligence. "He who hath loved not here would learn that love, And make his heart a spirit; he who knows That tender mystery, will love the more, For this is love's recess, where vain men's woes And the world's waste, have driven him far from those, For 'tis his nature to advance or die; * * but * * * grows Into a boundless blessing! * * *


The coup d'oeuil was bewildering and dazzling as "the lamps o'er fair women and brave men," for beauty and chivalry were grouped together, forming exquisite tableaux in various parts of the hall—Generals Bragg, Polk, Cheatam, Breckenridge, Wheeler, all being surrounded by batteries of bright eyes, which were found far more dangerous and irresistible than the enemy's artillery. Deep emotions rose and fell with the swelling airs of voluptuous music, as fairy forms glided through the mazes of the dance, or bended gracefully to catch the broken whisper of the tale of love. The Marys and Medoras, Elizas and Ellens, Bettys and Kates, Alices and Annas, were all most exquisitely dressed, developing exquisite charms and irresistible fascinations. At 12, midnight, the band struck up a grand march, and the company repaired to the supper room, where a magnificent "spread" awaited them. There was no sparkling champagne, but the delicious egg nogg [sic] made up for it, and wit and sentiment flowed freely. It was one of the few assemblages in life's dreary voyage that I shall never forget. Kentucky and Louisiana were inseparably connected, and their destinies forever linked together.