THE LOUISIANA NATIVE GUARDS Submitted by Jim Hollandsworth ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** The first black soldiers in the Union Army during the Civil War. The Corps d'Afrique at Port Hudson. FOOTNOTE The 1st Regiment of the Louisiana Native Guards was sworn into service on September 27, 1862. The 2nd and 3rd Regiments were organized during October and November, respectively. Actually, the Native Guards were not the first black soldiers to volunteer. Major General David Hunter had raised a regiment of black men at Hilton Head, South Carolina, during the spring of 1862, but it was not formally recognized as part of the Union Army. Hunter disbanded the unit on August 9, two weeks prior to Benjamin F. Butler's call for black recruits in New Orleans. Although Secretary of War Edwin Stanton finally authorized Hunter's enlistment of black troops, the 1st South Carolina Volunteers did not complete their reorganization until January 31, 1863. Consequently, the Native Guards were the first black soldiers to be officially mustered into the Union Army during the Civil War. It should also be noted that Senator Jim Lane began recruiting the 1st Regiment of Kansas Colored Volunteers in August 1862. Although this unit engaged in combat as early as October, it was not mustered into federal service until January 13, 1863, making it the fourth black regiment to enter the United States Army. The famous 54th Massachusetts Infantry did not complete its organization until May 13, 1863, almost eight months after the 1st Regiment of the Native Guards was sworn into service. Finally, a "Black Brigade" was organized in September 1862 in Cincinnati, Ohio, to construct fortifications. However, the three regiments in this brigade were not armed, nor were they given uniforms, and when the threat of a Confederate invasion ended, they were disbanded. A Brief History Work hard, stay out of trouble, and you will succeed. These words reflect the up-by-the- boot-straps philosophy of American society. It is a noble creed, but one that is followed inconsistently. In many instances, hard work is viewed with suspicion; success is perceived as a threat. That scenario applies to Louisiana's celebrated regiment of black men during the Civil War: the Native Guards. The story of the Native Guards began with their enrollment as part of the Louisiana militia and ended with their participation in the civil rights movement during Reconstruction. As a militia unit, the Native Guards paraded with Confederate troops and sought to contribute to the Southern cause in other ways. After the fall of New Orleans, many of the officers and some of the men embraced the Old Flag by forming the first officially-sanctioned black regiment in the Union Army. During the war, the Native Guards fought at Port Hudson, Mansura, and Mobile. They also guarded prisoners, built fortifications, and contributed to the Union war effort in numerous other ways. Their service in the Union Army was as honorable as it was controversial. When the war ended, veterans of the Native Guards entered a third phase of their unusual career when they took up the struggle for black civil rights. The war and its aftermath provided the men of Louisiana's Native Guards with the opportunity to earn the right to be treated as equals in a free society. However, at every turn their attempt to achieve equality was rebuffed. The Confederate authorities used them to counter northern propaganda, but never intended to let them fight. The Union Army let them fight, but made them dig ditches when their capacity for fighting became evident. During reconstruction, whites accepted them for their labor, but repudiated their quest for equal rights. Pawns of three governments, the men of the Native Guards worked hard and did their duty, but as one of their officers wrote to his mother from Port Hudson in April 1864, "Nobody really desires our success[,] and it's uphill work." INTRODUCTION Three new accounts of the Native Guards at Port Hudson provide additional details regarding their assault on May 27, 1863, and other information related to their service during the campaign. Although literally not "new," for these accounts have been around some time, they came to light after the book was published. The author is grateful to Mr. Greg Potts at the Port Hudson State Commemorative Area for sharing this material with him. WILLIAM LOGAN RODMAN DIARY HARVARD MEMORIAL BIOGRAPHIES "Tuesday, May 26, 9 o'clock, a. m." I have just had a stirring hour, occasioned by the arrival of Colonel Nelson with his native Louisianian (black) infantry, one thousand strong, who halted in our midst awhile, and attracted much attention. I was interested to see how my men would regard such neighbors, and was glad to see there was not much merriment and no contempt, even among the Irishmen. The general impression was that they were a fine lot of men, and will fight. Colonel Nelson and all his officers are convinced they are to distinguish themselves; and Nelson tells me he and his niggers, according to the programme, are to make the assault, and he has no doubt of his colors being taken into the town first. If they will fight, and Port Hudson falls, the great problem of "Will the blacks fight?" will be solved forever. It is a question of vast interest. THE WALTER STEPHENS TURNER DIARY 39th MISSISSIPPI INFANTRY PORT HUDSON, MAY-JULY, 1863 May 27, 1863 - Wednesday The enemy made a charge this morning on Miles Legion, some with scaling ladders in their hands. They were driven back three times with heavy loss. There were also several charges made on the 15th Arkansas and 1st Mississippi, and on the extreme left were two negro regiments, who charged us. We drove them back and cut them all to pieces. Some of our boys went over and searched the negroes and found in the pocket of the first negro who was [a] Captain, his commission and eight dollars in green backs. He was mustered in the Service of the U. S. On the 20th of September, 1862, at New Orleans. The Captain's name was Andrew Coillon [Cailloux], they have never been able to get them to make another charge, (that is the negroes.) There were in all fifteen charges made on our line today. The old 39th is the first Regiment that has ever fought against negroes in this way; at least it is the first Regiment that has been charged by the negroes. They . . . sent in a flag of truce twice this P. M. to bury their dead, but General Gardener did not recognize it as such. The grand rascals are just trying to find out our force or they are up to some trick, so General Gardener thinks. . . It has rained very hard during the day and I got as wet as water. May 28, 1863 - Thursday We have been fighting off and on all day and night until 10 O'clock P. M. The enemy have sent in another flag of truce to bury their dead. General Gardner granted it for four hours. Our loss does not exceed 120 and from the report of one of their field officers their army is weakened by 1500 men, that includes killed and wounded. They have sent in another flag of truce wanting the time prolonged for five hours longer which brings it until 2 o'clock P. M. It has been granted. Our company has lost but one man during the fight. The enemy have buried all their white men and left the negroes to melt in the sun. That shows how much they care for the poor ignorant creatures. After they are killed fighting their battles, having done all they can for the Federals then for them to let the bodies of the poor creatures lie and melt in their own blood and to be made the prey of both birds and beasts. June 28, 1863 - Sunday Old Banks praised his 1st colored Regiment of Louisiana National Guard to the highest. Trying to encourage them by saying they fought like men, went into battle with 900 men and came out with 300, saying that the number they came out with went to prove that they fought admirably well. But they can't say enough of such as that to get them to charge those works again. If they are Negroes they have more sense than that. They know they never did any such fighting as Old Banks represents them to have done in his report. July 11, 1863 - Saturday It is quite warm today. I expect a rain. The Yanks are dashing around as usual. And the great buck negroes are walking around their posts as big as life. Since we have been prisoners there have been several negroes knocked down by our men for their impudence. We are not paroled yet. P. F. DeGOURNAY'S ACCOUNT THE SIEGE OF PORT HUDSON" NEW ORLEANS WEEKLY TIMES The Negro Charge It was during the first grand attack on the 27th of May, that the famous charge by negro troops was made, about which so much has been said in army orders and by the press at large. Two negro regiments under Colonel Paine, with a line of white troops behind them, came out of the willow swamp on the extreme left, close to the river, and which was separated by a clearing of six or seven hundred feet [yards?] from a line of rifle-pits we had dug in the bluffs, where two small mountain howitzers were also in position. The negroes came up in fine order. Charging at a double-quick as soon as they reached clear ground. A party of skirmishers, concealed in a little copse on their flank, fired upon them, while they were saluted in front by a volley from the rifle-pits and the simultaneous discharge of the howitzers. The head of the advancing column was shattered by this fire, and the poor fellows, seeing their comrades fall by the dozen, broke and ran to cover among the willows. We had the range of this willow swamp, and two heavy guns on the river front were immediately turned upon it and shelled it for several hours, tearing the slender willows into splinters and causing much slaughter. Over two hundred and fifty blacks were counted, dead or too badly wounded to crawl out of sight. The nearest to our rifle-pits were about two hundred yards. Foremost among them was a young mulatto name Pierre Caillow [Cailloux], a native of New Orleans, who was recognized by some of our boys who hailed from that city. He wore a captain's uniform and his commission, signed by General Butler, was found in his pocket. This was the first and last we saw of the negro troops during the siege of Port Hudson. How many of the poor wretches perished in the fatal trap into which they had been so unwisely driven I cannot say. In conversation with Federal officers and men after the surrender I have heard the number estimated as high as six hundred. Horrid Scene of War During that day and the next we could hear the groans of the wounded that had fallen among the willows, and the dead lay festering in the hot sun, creating a sickening stench. Unable to stand this, some of our boys started the next morning on a blackberrying expedition, as they styled it with grim pleasantry. They found a wounded negro among the dead, under the willows. He was suffering excruciating torture from several wounds. They gave the poor fellow some water, and lifting him with tender hands, placed him on a blanket and carried him to the hospital. He recovered enough strength to whisper a few grateful words, but life was nearly extinct and he died two hours after being admitted into the hospital. THE FIELD OF BATTLE AT PORT HUDSON TODAY: Captions of some photograph located in Sept. 1998 at http://www2.netdoor.com/%7Ejgh/today.html Photo: Where the Native Guards charged on May 27, 1863. Photo: The ground over which the Naitve Guards charged on May 27, 1863. This area was bare of trees in 1863. The high ground to the right was the "outwork" along which the Confederates had posted sharpshooters. Photo: Telegraph Road as it appears today. See the panoramic view on the previous to compare the foliage in 1863 with that today. Photo: Big Sandy Creek. The Native Guards crossed a 280-foot pontoon bridge here to make their assault. The water in Big Sandy Creek as seen here in November 1997 is very low compared to its level in May 1863. Photo: Under the "outwork," where some of the Native Guards sought refuge after the assault. Confederate Colombiads in the water battery on the river could hit them here. THE "FORGOTTEN COMMAND" ON SHIP ISLAND The First and Third Regiments of the Louisiana Native Guards eventually received recognition for their role in the battle at Port Hudson in May 1863. But what of their brother unit, the Second Louisiana Native Guards? Where were they? Why weren't they involved? Actually, the Second beat the First and Third in proving to themselves, and to white "sneerers" opposed to black troops, that blacks COULD and WOULD fight. On April 9th, six weeks before the Port Hudson assault, a portion of the Second Regiment saw action at Pascagoula, Mississippi, where a small force of Confederates was in control. Though eventually outnumbered after a four hour running battle and forced to retreat, the men fought valiantly: "my men fought nobly and whipped as fair a fight without cover -- whilst the enemy were in houses and the woods, five times their number," stated their colonel, Nathan W. Daniels. Daniels kept a journal during his command of the 2nd LaNG. This diary, found in the attic of a Massachusetts house, has recently come to light giving us details of what it was like as a white commanding officer of one of the earliest black regiments in the War. With remote duty at Forts Pike and McComb as well as on Ship Island, Mississippi, ten miles off the coast in the Gulf of Mexico, Daniels's troops were basically forgotten -- including their "fifteen minutes" of glory at Pascagoula. Their assignment was to maintain the post and its Fort Massachusetts in a "defensible condition," monitor ship activity during the North's blockade of Southern ports, and guard prisoners sent out from the mainland. Though overshadowed by the First and Third Regiments, and generally ignored by historians, it is interesting that of the seventy-six black officers who served in the Native Guards, the majority of those active in the pursuit of their civil rights after the war, came from Colonel Daniels's regiment. The previously forgotten Second Louisiana Native Guards have a tale to tell. THE NATIVE GUARDS' ARRIVAL AT SHIP ISLAND INTRODUCTION This account of the 2nd Regiment's arrival at Ship Island is an example of the prejudice the Native Guards experienced in the Union Army. A transcript of Col. Rust's diary is at the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. The author is grateful to Ms. Gail Bishop for providing a photocopy of this material and to Ms. Kitty Weaver for alerting him to its existence. THE LT. COL. HENRY RUST DIARY 13th MAINE INFANTRY SHIP ISLAND, JANUARY 12-20, 1863 January 12, 1863 -- Monday Morning. A steamer has just come to the Wharf with nigger troops on board, evidently to relieve us. Oh Lord! January 13, 1863 -- Tuesday "Nigger on the brain." No, I have not got that. It has struck to my stomach and gone all over me. The feeling of certainty that I have got to leave my two good Companies here to come into collision with these niggers has made me feel homesick, and I have serious thoughts of resigning. I went to see them drill the Battalion this afternoon. The Adjutant conducted the exercise, neither field officer being present. There was some good marching but the other exercises were indifferently done. January 14, 1863 -- Wednesday I have made the Colonel [of the Native Guards] promise that if I leave my men he will assign them duties by themselves under their own officers, not bringing them at all into collision with his. Still I expect there will be trouble, and think my men will be demoralized thereby. January 20, 1863 -- Tuesday The steamer came to the Wharf at 2 P. M. And I put my Staff, their baggage and Quarter master and Commissary stores on board. Their [departure leaves] command of Ship island to Col. Daniel 2nd Louisiana Native Guards, Good Bye Ship Island. My only regret at leaving is that I must leave my two Companies there to the tender mercies of a Colonel [of] Niggers which, if appearances are a true indication, will not be very tender. COLONEL DANIELS' DIARY The Civil War's original corps of officers found in the Louisiana Native Guards has been dimissed in the past as being inconsequential -- because "they did not last." It is precisely their brief existence, however, that magnifies their importance. It is their struggle for survival that tells the story of the military environment of the day. They did not last because of prejudicial conditions in both civilian and military arenas, with discrimination in the latter at all levels of white personnel, from enlisted men to commanding generals. Some of the more enlightened whites with abolitionist tendencies tolerated black troops, but even for some of them the presence of black officers was considered going too far. A white army lieutenant graduate of West Point, with several years of experience under his belt before the war, was not going to pay heed to a recently appointed black captain of questionable education and background. Colonel Daniels's command of the Second Regiment was brief. Seven months after the unit's muster in the fall of 1862, he was arrested on minor charges and later removed. The reason? He supported his men. More specifically, he supported his black officers in a disciplinary action against white troops on Ship Island who refused to obey the black leaders. This was a radical move for the times and one that drew attention to the abolitionist colonel like a lightening rod. From that point on, Daniels was being watched, monitored by others in the Department of the Gulf who opposed black officers. The latter were considered to be the problem, demoralizing both camps, when white and black regiments were posted together. The colonel, on the other hand, felt the officers were not the problem; it was the prejudicial military department. Daniels's diary contains a rare narrative from someone of his rank and position, bringing to life his sensitive personal struggle. The responsibilities and frustrations of being between the black and white military worlds of the period weighed heavily on him as commanding officer. His greatest challenge with the regiment was defending his men's right to prove themselves as officers and soldiers in the Union Army. The author of these notes, C. P. Weaver, has edited Col. Daniels' diary for publication. The diary contains extremely rare photographs of the Native Guards on Ship Island as well as a detailed account of what it was like to be stationed there. Daniels's diary is being published by LSU Press and it will be available through Amazon Books in July 1998. COL. DANIELS' SPEECH AFTER PASCAGOULA Headquarters, Ship Island, Miss.* April 10th, 1863 Fellow soldiers For the first time in your military existence have you experienced the glories and the dangers of the battle field. You have known what it is to meet the enemy face to face, and to overcome five times your numbers in a hotly contested action.-- You have snuffed the perfume of Powder--heard the key note of the bullets shrill music and are now conscious of the attractions and the horrors of grim visaged war.-- You have tested the question of your nations valor, and demonstrated to it fullest extent the capacity--the bravery--the endurance and the nobility of your race, and taught the malignant foe that a centuries oppression has not extinguished your manhood or suppressed your love of liberty, and that you have still a hand to wield the sword, and a heart to vitalize its blow. Proudly have you borne the banner of Freedom--the delight of the true warrior's soul--through the thickest of the fray--its folds pierced and pierced with the leaden hail--without paling a star or defacing a stripe--its tattered condition the true emblem of your work, and your brave endeavors. Heroes have you proven yourselves in the strife--nobly sustaining your countries honor and gloriously maintaining the valor of your profile. The brave ones, whose spirits winged their way to brighter spheres during the fierce struggle, are true martyrs in the holy cause of Freedom.-- They have offered themselves nobly upon the shrine of their countries existence, and their deeds are their glory--their glory their reward.-- Their names shall deck the page of history, and their process emblazon the escutcheon of our coming Republic. Though moldering now within the silent Tomb, yet ever their souls as noble and as great as e'er rise to heaven from The battle field. Their spirits as brave as ever e'er unwrapped by clayey tenement.-- Let us then Remember their fate and their Reward.-- Let the name "Pascagoula" be wrought within the folds of our colors--a Page in the history of our career, an emblem of our achievement and an ernest of what the world may expect of those whose first deeds have been so valorous, whose acts have been so brave.-- Your Colonel, Nathan W. Daniels. OTHER NEW DISCOVERIES RECRUITING DUTY Dr. Banjamin A. Fordyce's letters have just been published under the title Echoes: From the Letters of a Civil War Surgeon (Bayou Publishing, 1996). On September 2, 1863 (p. 67), Dr. Fordyce describes a black soldier from the 1st Regiment of the Native Guards on recruiting duty near LaFourche Crossing, Louisiana. "Yesterday I saw a negro recruiting colored men for the First Louisiana Regiment - This Regiment was the one so awfully cut up at Port Hudson. This Negro's Name is Lewis - He was wounded in the leg and relieved from duty in regiment and sent out recruiting - I thought I had seen men that could make a patriotic appeal to their countrymen before, in behalf of our country and the interest and necessities that should impel men to do Military service for their Government but when I saw this colored man who had been wounded at Port Hudson had two brothers killed in the same battle another and his last and only brother now in hospital with his wounds received in the same battle A man who was born a slave and had been a slave till within a year past who had left a wife and family of children to fight for a government that had never guaranteed to him a single right above that of a hog or a horse till within one year past - when I heard him appeal to every strong bodied colored man he met; with an earnestness that secured seventy three in three days entirely alone and took them into quarters - hurrying from place to place, inviting, urging everyman he met to come right along and join the army pointing to his own sacrificies that he had already made and the inestimable privilege of owning himself and family as the reward - I admit I felt ashamed of all the feeble efforts I had made to recruit the army - I felt satisfied that an element of strength has been developed and brought to the aid of our government of which we had no adequate idea - In my opinion this element now so thoroughly aroused in the colored man is never again to be brutalized; It begins to realize its own strength and the fullness of its power - Could you see the joy expressed and the willingness to do anything to get a living manifested by the blacks it would be gratify you beyond measure." THE MASSACRE AT JACKSON, LOUISIANA Celine Fremaux Garcia's reminiscences were published in 1987 by the University of Georgia Press as Celine: Remembering Louisiana, 1850-1871. On pages 131-32, Celine writes about the time she unexpectedly came across the bodies of two black soldiers who were captured near Jackson, Louisiana, and later executed as prisoners of war. (See pages 70-71 of The Louisiana Native Guards for more information about this incident.) "After the little battle in Jackson quite a number of niggers had become separated from their command. They knew the law: All slaves taken armed against whites were hung or shot. So they wandered about the woods for some days. Some of them, no doubt, found their way back to Port Hudson. Others were caught by the soldiers and summarily executed. I knew this was done but of course I never saw an execution. I knew they took place in the woods. The vagueness of the spot made all of the woods a place of dread after dark. " "It happened that one of the children was quite sick, and Ma sent me with one of the little ones for Dr. Jones. It was not exactly night, but deep dusk, a November day, Leon was away from home. To cut short we went through the college campus to the pine thicket behind the main building. I saw something moving and nearly lost my strength! Just before me, a little to one side, two niggers were hung to a tree limb, their feet just clear of the ground. I hid the sight from Paul with my skirt, tried to run, then tried to speak, but my tongue was frozen and my legs like cotton. Only the fear of Paul seeing gave me strength to move on. The horror -- to me -- was having them at my back. Cold chills ran up and down my spine. I thought I heard them moan, then laugh, then shriek. When fairly in sight of the doctor's house I had to stop and collect myself. I had almost forgotten what I came to ask. When I became composed I went on, got the doctor's instructions and started off by way of the big road. Doctor called out to take the short cut but I toild him no, I preferred the long way, as it was lighter. The next day he remarked to Ma that he was glad I had taken the long way, for he had come the short cut and, seeing the hung men, knew I would have been frightened. Ma told him I had seen them going, and he could not get over it, that I had not asked some one to see us home. Thus I got a reputation for bravery, very little deserved, but which kept me ever striving to retain it. I was frightened many times after that, but no one ever knew it. I thought I owed it to Father and Grandfather to be as brave as a solider." NATIVE GUARDS BURIED AT CHALMETTE History of the Cemetery The Chalmette National Cemetery is a 17.5 acre strip of land that sits adjacent to the site of the Battle of New Orleans along the Mississippi River in Chalmette, Louisiana. The cemetery, which is closed to future burials, has more than 15,300 interments from every major U.S. conflict between the American Revolution and Vietnam. While most of the individuals interred are veterans, civilians such as spouses, children, and employees of the War Department are also included. The Cemetery was established in May of 1864 as a final resting place for Civil War dead, both Confederate and Union soldiers alike. Approximately 132 Confederate prisoners of war were buried at Chalmette until the Ladies' Benevolent Association of New Orleans requested that these soldiers be moved out of Chalmette, which is comprised entirely of Union soldiers, to the Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans. In the years following the war, the cemetery took in an additional 7,000 interments of Union soldiers moved from abandoned cemeteries located all over southern Louisiana, Ship Island, and Mississippi. Civil War burials at Chalmette number well over 12,000, but almost 7,000 are unknown. (Courtesy of the U. S. Civil War Center) Veterans of the Native Guards in the Chalmette National Cemetery One-hundred and thirteen black soldiers in the Native Guards are known to be buried at Chalmette. Some were reinterred there after the war from their original graves at Fort Pike or on Ship Island. Others were hospitalized in New Orleans during the war and were buried at Chalmette when they died. The remainder survived the war and asked to be buried in the Chalmette National Cemetery as veterans. The last burial of a veteran of the Native Guards at Chalmette occurred on October 12, 1929, just two and a half weeks before "Black Friday," the stock market crash, and the beginning of the great depression. On April 19, 1864, the unit designation for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Regiments of the Corps d'Afrique, formerly the Louisiana Native Guards, was changed to the 73rd, 74th, and 75th Infantry, United States Colored Troops, respectively. The grave markers at Chalmette bear this designation. LAST NAME FIRST SEC STONE RK CO RGT DIED ORIG ACE THOMAS 157 12424 PVT H 74 4/30/03 ADALIN JOHN 155 12623 PVT I 74 7/29/13 ALFRED EDGAR 154 12462 PVT F 74 1/17/05 ALLEN AMOS 152 12369 PVT K 73 4/28/92 ALLEN ANDREW 149 12228 PVT K 73 4/28/92 ANDERSON AUGUST 155 12619 PVT B 73 5/8/13 ANNIAS HILLIARD 122 10020 PVT B 73 1/3/65 AUGUSTINE JACQUES 150 12272 PVT E 73 7/26/95 AUGUSTINE JACQUES 155 12651 CPL H 73 8/31/14 BACCHUS JOSEPH 153 12531 PVT E 74 5/13/08 BAPTISTE BELEINE J. 153 12577 PVT E 73 11/13/10 BAPTISTE CHARLES 157 12821 PVT 73 11/23/24 BARNES DOCTOR 146 11729 PVT E 75 6/26/64 BARRETT WILLIAM B. 158 12737 CPT B 74 4/13/18 BELENSON PAUL 149 12231 DRM 74 9/6/92 BELL WESLEY 152 12330 PVT K 74 4/5/98 BENNETT JAMES 151 12372 PVT K 74 2/24/00 BESSEX ISAAC 122 9965 PVT I 73 5/4/65 BOSS WILLIAM 153 12561 PVT K 74 10/30/09 BOWMAN BENJAMINE 139 11241 PVT H 75 6/4/64 BRADLEY HENRY 155 12647 1SG F 73 6/30/14 BROWN EDWARD 154 12466 PVT I 75 4/9/05 BURNETT MATHEW 146 11767 PVT B 74 8/5/64 CARRIER AUGUSTIN 150 12317 PVT E 73 10/30/94 CARTER HENRY 123 10134 PVT I 73 3/9/65 CEA CHARLES 126 10372 PVT A 74 6/1/65 FORT PIKE CHASE FOSTER 158 12747 CPL A 75 10/16/18 CHENEAU VICTOR 150 12274 PVT E 73 9/30/95 CLAIRMOND A. 150 12278 PVT D 75 11/29/95 COLEMAN DANIEL 154 12461 PVT A 74 1/10/05 COOPER GOFF 131 10862 PVT D 75 11/22/64 COOPER HIRAM 124 10175 RCT 74 4/13/65 CUBBIN EDWARD 126 10371 PVT A 74 ? DANDRIGE ROBERT 157 12449 CPL F 73 7/9/02 DEJEAN GEORGE 122 9959 B 73 5/2/65 DELILE ANTOINE 157 12417 PVT G 74 12/9/02 DREW THOMAS 154 12488 PVT F 74 7/14/06 DREY JOSEPH 153 12600 PVT H 75 5/23/12 DURAN JOHN 157 12455 CPL E 73 8/4/04 EDWARD PETER 150 12254 PVT B 74 7/16/94 EDWARDS GEORGE 123 10054 PVT B 75 12/17/64 ENGLAND GEORGE 123 10058 PVT G 73 12/20/64 FAGO FONSTINNE 131 10858 PVT H 75 11/18/64 FELIX JOSEPH 150 12315 1SG D 73 9/27/97 FERRAND MYSTILE 150 12316 CPL E 74 10/26/97 FILLE JOSEPH 154 12511 SGT E 73 8/12/07 FORD SAMUEL 154 12515 PVT I 73 9/14/07 FRANCOIS JEAN 154 12563 C 73 1/28/05 GALLE ALFRED 153 12565 PVT H 73 12/4/09 GASPARD ARTHUR 154 12510 CPL B 73 7/31/07 GRANT W.H 6 138- 509 PVT H 74 ? SHIP ISLAND HAGGERTY DANIEL 152 12411 PVT D 75 6/13/02 HAMILTON STEPHEN 122 9969 PVT A 73 5/7/65 HAMILTON WADE 121 9900 PVT C 75 6/25/65 HARDIN WILLIAM 155 12616 2LT I 75 4/15/13 HARRIS FRANK 121 9933 PVT B 74 7/2/65 HEGWOOD FRANK 118 9623 PVT F 73 9/12/65 HENRY WILLIAM 124 10146 PVT A 75 3/22/65 HUNT RANDALL 158 12401 PVT A 73 3/7/02 JAMES WILLIAM 6 138- 510 PVT H 74 SHIP ISLAND JOHNSON HARRISON 118 9622 PVT G 73 9/11/65 JOHNSON JAMES 150 12249 PVT B 74 4/10/94 JOHNSON JORRON 126 10368 PVT A 74 11/21/64 JONES WILLIAM 118 9648 PVT B 73 3/19/65 JULIAN STEPHEN 130 10727 RCT 75 10/4/64 KILBURN BEVERLY 123 10066 PVT A 73 12/27/64 KING JOHN 124 10165 PVT ? 75 3/31/65 LABOO CELESTINE 123 10049 PVT H 75 12/14/64 LAMOIS J.B. 155 12667 PVT G 74 3/29/15 LARNE JAMES 158 12391 SGT E 75 5/17/01 LAWRENCE WILLIAM 159 12833 PVT H 74 10/12/29 LEWIS VICTOR 130 10784 PVT C 75 12/5/64 MACK ELI 153 12566 PVT N 74 2/7/12 MANUEL JOSEPH 152 12351 PVT B 73 2/21/99 MORGAN JULIAN 152 12359 CPL B 74 7/23/99 NELSON JOHN 150 12280 SGT F 73 1/20/96 PALM ISRAEL 149 12222 PVT A 73 10/25/91 PAYNE CALVIN 152 12350 PVT C 75 1/9/99 PETERSON DAVID 126 10370 PVT A 74 3/8/65 PHILPS HELER 152 12410 PVT H 74 6/12/02 PIERRE JACQUIES 154 12506 PVT E 74 6/17/07 PIERSON WILLIAM 6 138- 511 CPL 74 ? SHIP ISLAND PINKNEY SAMUEL 143 12243 SGT F 74 2/13/94 PLEASANT SAMUEL 126 10369 PVT A 74 11/1/64 FORT PIKE RAY DANIEL 155 12662 PVT R 73 12/24/24 REDWOOD THOMAS 158 12705 CPL I 73 8/6/16 RENIER JOHN 126 10377 PVT 74 12/1864 ROBINSON WEALEY 151 12312 PVT I 73 7/25/97 ROSE JOHN 151 12379 PVT H 74 8/16/00 ROSHA DAVIS 153 12604 PVT D 75 8/3/12 ROSS GEORGE 150 12259 CPL K 74 11/23/94 RUBIN HENRY 151 12380 PVT C 74 9/11/00 SANDERS GEORGE 130 10774 PVT C 75 11/29/64 SCOTLAND HENRY 153 12558 PVT F 75 9/15/09 SHEPHERD NELSON 123 10069 PVT H 75 1/4/65 SHEPPARD RICHARD 154 12541 SGT F 74 10/1/08 SMITH CALVIN 126 10384 PVT C 74 7/2/65 SMITH CELESTINE 149 12235 PVT H 74 6/18/93 SMITH LEWIS 139 11242 PVT C 74 6/4/64 SMITH REUBEN 139 11276 PVT K 73 7/6/64 SMITH ROBERT 158 12700 PVT F 73 5/19/16 SOLOMON EUGENE 147 11656 PVT C 73 5/29/64 SPALDING WILLIAM 143 12238 SGT K 73 12/17/93 SPRIVEY ISAAC 121 9876 PVT A 73 1/20/65 THOMAS ALCA 155 12654 PVT K 74 10/6/14 TRUHILL JOSEPH 147 11657 PVT A 75 5/29/64 VICTOR JOHN 157 12416 PVT G 74 10/31/02 WATSON ISAAC 146 11739 PVT G 75 6/28/64 WILLIAMS MOSES 146 11726 PVT E 74 6/22/64 YOUNG DANDRIDGE 151 12375 PVT G 74 4/29/00 YOUNG ISAAC 6 138-520 PVT E 74 ? SHIP ISLAND ZERRON HILLAIRE 155 12649 PVT E 73 6/20/14 THE NATIVE GUARDS' CONFEDERATE ORIGINS FIRST NEGRO REGIMENT Was Raised in New Orleans for the Confederacy. Offered Their Services, But Didn't Fight. RECENT DISCOVERY New Orleans Daily States, May 24, 1903. Some War Department officials were considerably surprised a few days ago while compiling the list of soldiers who served during the civil war, to discover that a regiment of negroes had been mustered into the Confederate service from New Orleans, says a New Orleans correspondent of the New York [Times?]. This discovery has been described as bringing to light a forgotten incident of civil war history. There has been especial comment on the fact that the Confederate States should have enlisted negro soldiers first, and nearly a year ahead of the United States. It is, of course, well known that the Confederate Cabinet during the last years of the war, seriously discussed the advisability of arming the negro slaves and enlisting them to drive back the Northern invaders, the slaves to be rewarded with freedom for their services. Mr. Davis is said to have favored the plan, which was proposed only when the outlook for the Confederacy was desperate, and to have abandoned it, not because he distrusted the negroes, but because it was pointed out that to take them from the farms would be to deprive the South of its food supply. But although the war department has dug up this interesting and forgotten fact of the organization of a negro Confederate regiment, it has succeeded in collecting very little information on the subject. It has found, for instance[,] the roll of but a single company, commanded by Louis Lainez, and it has been unable to get any definite information even as to that company. It is not possible to give all the story of this regiment, for much of it has been lost in time, but as far as it goes it is interesting, and especially interesting just now in view of the attention being given throughout the country to the relations of the whites and the negroes. It will throw some light on these relations during the period of slavery. . . There is little reason to doubt that the colored men who organized a regiment intended to fight for the Confederate cause. Had they done so, had they been allowed to do so, it would not only have been a curious incident, but it might have had important effects. Thus Jefferson Davis might have conceived the idea of arming the negroes at the beginning of the Civil War instead of near the end of the struggle, when it was too late. The Native Guards, however, were treated with a scant courtesy that killed any enthusiasm they might have felt for the Confederate cause. They were sworn in and mustered out of the service and called back again only in the last few desperate days before the capture of the City by Farragut's fleet. Four months after his occupation of the City, Butler took up the work where the Confederates had dropped it. He saw the possibility of utilizing the free men of color who had some military education and discipline and on August 2, 1862 [sic] he issued an order calling on all members of the Native Guards to enlist in the service of the United States. None of the men who had taken prominent part in the organization of this regiment in the Confederate service re-enlisted on the other side, but some of the rank and file did. The First Louisiana Native Guards was organized with Lieutenant Colonel Bassett in command and with all other officers colored. The regiment fought with courage and distinction at Port Hudson, where one of the captains, Andre Caillioux [sic], lost his life, and became a hero of the negro troops. Nor did the colored men who took part in the organization of the negro regiment for the Confederate service have any share in the organization of the Republican party in Louisiana, and in the period of Reconstruction, and it is unfortunate for the negroes that they did not. They were men of property, many of them of education, and they might have led their people in a much better cause than the negro gamblers, bootblacks, barbers and stable boys who joined the Carper- baggers to install the horrors of Reconstruction. The freemen of color would never have permitted the excesses which followed for they were generally friendly to the whites. Only one of the organizers and officers of the Confederate Native Guards, Arnold Bertonneau, took part in post-bellum politics. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of April 1868, which gave Louisiana its first Reconstruction Constitution. The military spirit of the negroes died out with the Civil War. Even during Republican days no success was met with in organizing a negro militia. Under Democratic regime several negro militia companies were organized, the last survival being a company named in honor of General Beauregard's son-in-law. A few years ago the Militia Act passed by the Louisiana Legislature suppressed the independent companies and got rid of the negro militia. Thus it is that while Louisiana had militia companies during all the days of slavery, when one of its negro regiments fought bravely during the war of 1812 and another offered its services in the Southern cause in the Civil War, today with all the negroes free, there is no negro military organization of any kind. MUSTER ROLL OF THE NATIVE GUARDS, C.S.A. Muster roll of unasigned recruits, 1st New Orleans Volunteers,* August 31, 1864. *The 1st New Orleans Volunteers was a white Union regiment organized in March 1864 to defend the Crescent City while Nathaniel P. Banks was away with his army during the Red River Campaign. The 1st New Orleans Volunteers was not part of the Louisiana Native Guards, CSA or USA, and this representation of its muster roll is used here for illustrative purposes only. * - Name appears on the muster roll of Butler's 1st Regiment of Native Guards, U.S.A. # - Name appears on the list of volunteers for Banks's "Folorn Hope" at Port Hudson. NAME RANK Abelard, Joseph Sergeant Achille, Joseph Private Adam, Ariste Private Adam, Manuel Private Adam, Emile Private Adolphe, Joseph Private Albrier, Jean not available Albrier, Patrisse not available Alcide, Joseph Private Alcine, Louis Private Alexis, Joseph Private Allian, Jean Private Allougas, Gustave Private Alpuente, Florian Private Alagas, Jerome Private Alvez, Louis not available Amant, J. Private Amedae, Archille Private Andre, Theodore Private Angelain, G. Private Angelain, L. Private Anson, Faustin Private Antoine, Arthur Corporal Antoine, Eugene Private Antoine, Joseph Private Aquillard, Belcourt Corporal Armand, Adolphe Private Armand, J.* Private Armand, Joseph not available Armand, Theo Private Armant, Dieydonne Private Armstrong, Joseph Private Arnot, St. Leger Private Arril, Prosper Private Ascensio,Joseph Private Athenor, Ernest* Private Aubert, Charles Sergeant Auguste, Joseph# Private Auguste, Mirtile Private Auguste, Pierre Private Auguste, T. Private Augustin, Adolphe* not available Augustin, Felix* Private Augustin, James Corporal Augustin, Omar Sergeant Major Auld, J. Private Aurillion, O. Sergeant Avril, Estave not available Avril, Gabriel not available Avril, Ogerauld not available Avril, P. Private Aycard, J. Private Azemar, Joseph Private Azemar, V. Private Bacchus, N.J. Captain Badie, Oscar Private Balon, Benjamin Private Balthazar, Paul Private Bandui, S. Private Barjon, Dutreuil Private Barte, James not available Barte, Oscar not available Barthe, A. Private Barthe, John 1st Lieutenant Basilique, Alfred Private Bazanae, Alphonse Private Bazelique, Alphonse Private Beaulier, J.B. Corporal Beauver, Joseph Private Bebelle, Joseph Private Bechez, Victor Private Bedout, G.* Corporal Belsire, Francois Private Belaire, Louis Private Belizaire, Engola Sergeant Bell, J. Private Belot. A. Private Belot, O. Private Belot, Octave Private Belot, V. Private Benjamin, A.* Private Benjamine, Antoine Private Benot, Joseph Private Bercier, Manuel not available Bercy, Edouard not available Bernard, Eugene not available Bernard, J.A. Private Bernard, Joseph Private Bernard, Jules Private Bernard, Louis Private Bernard, W. Private Berguier, H. Private Bertonneau, Arnold 1st Lieutenant Bertrand, Louis Private Bertrand, Osevis Private Bertrand, Pierre not available Bevrotte, Henry Private Bezou, Henry Major Bibi, John Private Bienvenn, E.M. Private Bijou, A. Private Bijou, J.* Private Bijou P. Private Bijoux, B. Manuel Private Bijoux, Leandre Private Birot, J. Private Blanche, Ernest Sergeant Bleach, Ernest Private Blanc, Henri* Private Blancan, Bienaime' not available Blanchard, Nichols Sergeant Blanchard, Orther Private Blasco, Amedee' Private Blondin, Charles not available Bodreaux, Francois Private Boquille, Ludgere Captain Boquille, Orther Private Boquille, Raoul Sergeant Major Boisdore, Francois Private Boissiere, J. Private Bonjeon, J.J. Private Bonne', L. Sergeant Bono, Vincent Private Bonseigneur, Virgil Captain Boone, Valsin 1st Lieutenant Boree, Louis* Private Bosque, A. Private Bosque, Theophile Private Botler, Robert Private Bourgeau, Alfred* Sergeant Bourjeau, C. not available Boustillos, Antoin * Private Boutin, A. Private Boutte, E. Private Boutte, L.* Private Boutte, Valsin* Private Bovira, Jean Private Brael, H. Private Brana, Lucien Sergeant Brard, Alfred Private Bresson, W. Private Brishom, W. Sergeant Brion, Bazile* Sergeant Major Bro, Pierre Private Broca, Jules Private Broyerd, Henry Corporal Butler, C.* Private Cabal, A. 1st Lieutenant Cadichon, Joseph Private Caillole, Jean Private Cailloux, Andre* 1st Lieutenant Caliste, Joseph Private Camille, John Private Camps, J. Jr Private Camps, Manuel Private Candi, Joseph* not available Candiff, Daniel Private Canelle, Pierre Sergeant Canelle, Pierre Jr. Private Canonge, Zephire 1st Lieutenant Capla, R.V. Corporal Carlon, L.J. Private Carlon, W. Private Carmouche, Louis not available Carrere, Etienne* Private Carrere, Joseph* Private Carrere, Nereston Private Carrien, A. Private Cassnave, G. Private Casimir, Lucien Private Cassenave, R.C. Private Cassino, Antoine not available Casting, Murville 2nd Lieutenant Castille, Raymond not available Caston, Arthur not available Catey, Francois Private Castane, Joseph Private Ceressolle, Octave Private Charbonnet, D.L. Private Charland, Antone Private Charles, Joseph* Private Charles, Pierre* Private Charmelle, Numa Private Chateau, Ulysse Private Chaumette, Earnest Private Chauivin, T. Private Chauivin, J. Private Chavanne, Francis Private Chenette, G.J. 1st Sergeant Chenot, Louis Private Cheron, John Private Chesse, A.L. Private Chesse, G. Private Cheval, Angelin* Corporal Cheval, Ludger Private Chevalier, Alexandre Private Chevalier, Armand Private Chelalier, Biennemee not available Chevalier, Jules Private Cheven, A. Private Chezan, Sidney Private Christophe, Firmint Private Clavic, O.J.B. Private Clement, Louis Private Clement, Pierre Private Clement, Pierre Private Coffy, H. Sergeant Coiron, Stanislas Private Colas, Raphael Private Compagnon, J.P.* Private Constant, G.G. Private Copel, Eugene Private Cordier, Pierre Private Coulon, Jean Private Coulon, Jules Private Coulon, Prosper not available Coucelle, Charles Private Craig, J. Private Crocker, D. Private Dabdeuil, Pierre Private Dallier, J. Corporal Daniel, Armand* Sergeant Daquin, Earnest Private Danstnque, J* Private Daunois, C.J. Private Dauphin, Armand Private Dauphin, Arthur* Private Dauphin, P.O. Private David, Belisaire Private Davis, E[dgard]* Captain Davison, ? Private Decoudraux, Charles not available Decoudraux, Micheal not available Decoudreau, A. Private Decout, Adophe* Sergeant Decout, Armand Private Decout, Louis T. Private Decout, Numa Private Decout, Seneville Private Decoux, Charles Private Dede, Francois Sergeant Dede, Francois Corporal Dede, Simphorin B.* Private Defilho, J.B. Private Degruo, Eugene not available Delprit, Louis Private Demoziliere, Louis* Private De Passan, Charles Private Depose, Moise Corporal Derbigny, Theophile 2nd Lieutenant Dermise, J. Sergeant De Salles, Philocles Private Desborde, Joseph not available Desdunes, Joseph Private Deslondes, Alcee Private Deslondes, Joseph Private Deslosges, Mortimer Private Dessale, Joseph Private Dessalles, Davis Private Dessalles, Felix Private Dessalles, Jules Corporal Devigne, Armand not available Diaz, J. Private Dinet, Gustave Private Dinet, Joseph Private Dinette, Gustave Private Dionet, J.M. Corporal Dirionde, Berthelin Private Docmini, Nelson Private Dolhonde, Florville not available Doliolle, Charles not available Dolliol, G.N. Private Dolliol, P.B. Private Dome, Leon* not available Domingon, Jules Sergeant Dominque, L. Private Donfort, Benit Private Dorgan, Armand Private Dorson, Andre Private D'Orville, A. Private Dorville, Edmond Private Doyle, H. Private Droux, Edmond Private Duberal, J. Private Duberque, Virgile not available Dubois, Etienne Sergeant Major Dubois, L. Private Dubuclet, Paular Private Duclaslange, E. Private Duclaslange, Eugene Private DuFaux, Francois not available Duffau, Joseph Private Dupresne, Jean* not available Dugue, Charles# Private Duhart, Armand 1st Lieutenant Duhart, P.A. not available Duluc, Etienne Private Dunford, T. Private Dupard, V. Private Dupart, Etienne Corporal Dupart, John not available Dupart, M. Captain Dupart, M.V. Sergeant Duplessis E. Private Duplessis, Micheal Private Duplessis, Nicolas Private Dupre, Caliste* Private Dupre, Felix Corporal Dupre, Lycien* Private Dupuis, T.O. 2nd Lieutenant Duquinez, Louis 2nd Lieutenant Duques, Eugene not available Duralde, J. Private Duralde, Jean Private Durand, Charles not available Durand, Jean Private Durant, Bernard Private Durel, Nums Private Durie, George Private Durive, Jules not available Durousseau, Felix Private Duthil, Eugene Private Dutreuil, P. Private Duval, C.D. Private Duvernaz, Jean Private Edouerd, J. Sergeant Edourd, Joseph Private Elf, Homere Private Erie, Joseph Private Esclavon, Pierre Private Esuard, G. Private Esuard, T. Private Esquianos, Francis* Private Esteve, Charles not available Etienne, Jean Baptiste Private Etienne, Leon not available Etienne, Vincent Private Eugene, Elie Joseph Private Exavier, Francois* Private Fagot, Victor Private Farr, E. Ordnance Sergeant Farrar, Emile Private Felix, Joseph* Private Ferbos, Ulysse Private Ferbos, Victor Private Ferroy, G. Private Fernandez, L.*# Private Fernandez, O. Private Fernandez, P. Private Fernandez, P.O. Corporal Ferrand, Baptiste Jr.Corporal Ferrand, Baptiste Sr.Sergeant Ferrand, Bertheleny not available Ferrand, Jacques* Private Ferrand, Joseph Jr.* Private Ferrand, Joseph II Private Ferrand, Louis Private Ferrand, Louis SergeantMjr Filie, Joseph* Private Fleming, Jean Private Fletcher, Jean Corporal Fleuvy, E. Private Fleuvy, F. Private Fondal, Joseph Corporal Fondal, Pierre not available Fonentes, Manuel not available Forestier, Jean Private Formentine, Alexandre not available Forneret, Leonaerd Private Fornerette, ?* Private Fornerette, A. Private Fornorette, Charles* not available Forstall, Emile* Private Forstall, L. Private Forstall, R.F. Private Forton, Henry Private Fortan, Henry Private Fortune, L. Private Fouche, Georges Private Fouche, Louis N. 1st Lieutenant Foucher, B Sergeant Major Fournier, Morthilde* Private Foy, Octave* 1st Lieutenant Fraisse, Joseph not available Francis, Edouard Private Francis, F.* Private Francois, J* Private Francois, Jean Louis* Private Francois, Joseph Corporal Francois, Ursin* Private Fredrick, Leon* Private Frilot, ---- Jr. Private Frilot, L. Jr. Private Fuentes, Homer Sergeant Gabaroche, Eugene Private Gabriel, Paul Private Gabriel, Pierre* not available Gaetan, Charles Private Gaignerd, Charles not available Gaillard, Armand Private Gaillerd, Dominique not available Galade, Jean Private Gallatte, Manuel not available Gallaud, Anatole Private Galle, Alfred* Private Galle, D. Corporal Galle, Dermond Private Galle, Felix Private Galle, L* not available Galleau, T.* Private Galles, Joseph Private Garcia, J.B. Private Garcia, Pierre Private Gardere, Amedee 2nd Lieutenant Gardette, A Private Gardette, Leonce not available Gasette, J. not available Gaspard, Joseph Private Gaspard, Lucien not available Gaspard, Ph Private Gaspard, Pierre Private Gastram, Leopol not available Gaudet, Louis Private Gautre, Adolphe Private Germain, Anatole* Private Germain, Jean* Private Gignal, Ellerd Corporal Fourrier Gilbert, V.* Private Glapion, C.J.* Private Glapion, Joseph* Sergeant Glapion, Pierre Private Glapion, Telesphore Private Glaude, P. Private Glaudin, M. Ordnance Sergeant Glaudin, P. Private Godefray, J.P. Private Godefray, M Private Godfroid, O. not available Golard, Joseph Private Golard, Jules* Private Golis, Louis Captain Golis, Numa Private Gomez, Jules Private Gondram, D. Private Gonzales, Armand Private Gonzales, Florville Sergeant Gonzales, Gustave Private Gonzales, Paul not available Grace, Alexis* Private Grandpre, C. Private Grandpre, T. Private Gravier, Bernard Jr. Private Gravier, Bernard Sr. Private Gravier, T. Private Greffin, B. Private Gregoire, A.* Private Gregoire, C. not available Gregore, Pierre not available Guadiz, D. 2nd Lieutenant Guibert, Auguste not available Guillant, Ernesto not available Guillaume, Georges* Private Guillaume, Joseph Jr.* Private Guillaume, J.V. Sergeant Guillory, Martin Sergeant Gustave, Jules* not available Gut, Phillipe Private Hains, Charles not available Hains, Manuel Private Hardi, Sveriste Private Hardi, Robert Private Hardy, Etiennne A. Private Hardy, Paul Private Harris, Albert Private Hazeur, Joseph Private Hecaud, Benjamin Private Helliot, Louis Private Heno, Joseph Private Henry, Josep Private Hermann, Ernest Corporal Hermogene, Thomas Private Herriman, G. Private Herrere, Jean* Private Hewlett, Ernest* Corporal Hins, H. Private Hippolyte, Francois* Private Hippolyte, Louis Private Hippolyte, P. Private Hubbart, Williams Private Hubean, Telefore Private Hubert, Victor Private Hubrin, Joseph Private Jacob, William, * Private Jacques, Adolph Private Jacques, Arthur Private Jacques, Emile Sergeant Jamet, Eugen Private Jamet, Felix Private Jameau, Martin Private Janeur, Jules Private Janneau, Baptiste Private Jareux, Jean A. Private Jardais, Jean Private Jardey, John Private Jean, Henri* Private Jean, Urein Private Johnson, Henry Private Jolbois, Joseph Corporal Joly, F. Private Joneau, J. Private Joniaron, J. Private Jonkins, Georges Private Joseph, A.* Private Joseph, Bazile not available Joseph, Charles Private Joseph, Ernest* Private Joseph, Etienne Private Joseph, Janvier Private Joseph, Louis Private Joseph, Prospere* Private Joublane, Charles Private Joublane, L. Private Joublane, Renauld not available JuForgue, Armand Sergeant Major Juin, Andre Private Juin, Francois Private Kata, Alexandre Private Kennedy, Edourd Corporal Kennedy, Daniel not available Labattre, Casemir not available Labbe, E. Private Labostrie, F. Private Lacheand, L. 1st Lieutenant Lacoste, F.U. 2nd Lieutenant Lacour, ---- Private Lacroix, A. Tres. Lacroix, E. 1st Sergeant Lacroix, V. Private Lafargue, V. Private Lafargue, Hippolyte Private Lafferanderie, M. Sergeant Lafont, Joseph Private Lafont, Louis Sergeant Lafrance, Valsin Private Lainez, Louis* Captain Lejoy, Esteve Private Lalvire, M. Private Lamothe, Mertile Private Lamotte, Martin Private Lanbere, Jules Private Lananiere, Lucien Private Lanaux, Paul not available Lanns, D.A. Private Lanoy, B. Private Lanusse, Armand Captain Lapierre, Francois Private Laprune, A. Corporal Larche, Joseph Private Larche, Mathieu -- Laroche, H. Private Larose, Desir Private Laurent, B. Private Laurent, Joseph Private Laurent, P. Private Laurince, Jean Private Laveaux, Joseph Private Lavedu, Octave Eli Private Lavigne, E.* not available Lavigne, Henry Corporal Lavigne, Louis Private Lavigne, V.J.L.* Sergeant Major Lazare, Louis* Private Lebreton, Clovis Private Lee, E. Private Leger, Auguste Private Leger, Ovide Private Legras, E. Corporal Legros, Erneste# not available Legros, Jasque Private Legros, Louis Private Leon, Edgard* not available Leon, Thelesfort not available Lepine, Fredrick Sergeant Lepine, Joseph Private Lessasier, Valdes Private Lespit, Jules Corporal Levache, P.L. Private Leveque, Cyprien Private Leveille, Gerome Private Leveille, Louis J.* Capor Lewis, Alcide* Captain Lewis, Lafayette Private Lewis, Simon Private Liantaud, Adolphe Corporal Liantaud, G. Sergeant Lino, Manuel Private Lepal, Alphonse Private Lorenz, L.* Private Lorenzo, J. Private Louck, J. C.F. Louis, Charles Private Louis, Joseph* Private Louis, Pierre * Private Lubin, Guillaume Private Macarty, B. Private Macarty, Jules Private Macarty, Prosper Private Mackemma, James Sergeant Madisou, Eugene Private Magloire, Casimir Private Magloire, Joseph Private Magloire, Louis Private Maindubourg, E. Private Maindubourg, O. Private Mallet, Jules* Private Mansion, Joseph Private Manuel, Louis Private Maran, C. Private Marc, Murville Private Marcelin, John* Private Marcelin, Joseph* Private Marcisse, Honore Private Mariginy, G. Private Marine, Joseph Private Marine, P. Private Martin, A. Sergeant Martin, Agenore* not available Martin, Joseph Private Martin, L. Private Martin, L. Jr. Private Martin, Louis Jr. Private Martin, Theo Jr. Private Massanna, R. Private Mathaire, Louis Private Mathe, B. Private Mathieu, Henri* Sergeant Mathieu, Henry not available Mau, Nathaniel Gaspard Private Maurice, Augustin Private Maurice, E. Private Maurice, Micheal Private Maurice, Washington Corporal McDonnel, Thomas Private McKenna, Thomas Private Mederic, Ludger Private Meide, Athur not available Meilleur, F. Jr Private Meilleur, Gustave Sergeant Meilleur, Lange Private Menard, L. Private Mercada, Francois Private Mercelle, J. Private Merlet, ---- Private Merlleur, Albert Sergeant Metoyer, H. Private Meunier, Henry Private Michel, Antoine Private Michel, Marc 2nd Lieutenant Milaire, Joseph Private Mirabin, Alcede Private Mitain, Louis Private Miton, M. Private Mollay, Pierre Corporal Mollet, Arthur not available Monde, Alcide not available Monde, Alcide Private Monde, Lolo Jr not available Mondre, Lucien Private Monette, J.J. Corporal Moniaque, Jules* not available Monrose, Eugene Private Montesquieux, Leonville Sergeant Montesquire, Gustave Private Montieu, Alcee J. Private Montieu, Alfred J. not available Montigut, J.F. Sergeant Montaor, C. Private Montreuil, J.J. Corporal Moran, D. Private Moran, O.D. Private Morant, C. Private Moret, J.B. Private Morette, Eugene not available Morle, Antoine Private Mornay, Millien Private Mornet, Augustin not available Morphy, Jules not available Muller, Adolphe Private Muro, Francois Private Nell, L. Private Nicaud, Alcee* not available Noel, Charles Private Ogden, Henry D. Lieutenant Colonel Padoux, Antoine Private Page, Louis* Private Paton, F. Private Patron, J.B. Private Patterson, Auguste not available Patterson, Donatien* Private Patterson, Joseph* not available Peche, Pierre Corporal Pedesclaux, Bonny Private Pedesclaux, Charles Private Pelebon, Francois Private Pelissier, L. Private Penas, Charles not available Penel, Julien Private Pepe, Hippolyte* Private Perche, Eloie 2nd Lieutenant Perez, A. Private Perez, Sedro Private Peroux, Auguste Private Perralte, A. Private Perrault, Edgard Private Perrault, S. Private Perrez, T.M. not available Perthelot, Eugene Corporal Petit, Louis 1st Lieutenant Phillippe, Urein Private Philogene, Jacques Private Picon, A. Private Picot, C Private Picotte, Earnest Private Picou, D. Private Picou, J. Private Picoux, Octave Private Piernas, Antoine Private Pierre, A.* not available Pierre, Alexandre Private Pierre, Eugine Corporal Pierre, Jacque* Private Pierre, Leon Private Pierre, Theodule* Corporal Pierre, Victor Private Pignegny, F. Private Pijeau, Etienne Private Pinta, Henry Private Placiencia, Arcene Private Pledeau, Ogee not available Plessir, Adolphe Private Plique, A. Private Polinard, Pierre Private Popo, --------- Private Popte, L. Private Populus, Armand not available Populus, Joseph Private Poree, Earnest* Private Poree, F. Private Poree, Francois not available Poree, M., Jr. Private Poree, Paul Private Poree, Nelson not available Postille, Leon Private Potenne, A. Private Potin, Charles Private Pradas, C. Private Prevost, Prancois Private Quessar, Louis* Private Questas, Joany not available Quevin, Leonard Private Quegere, L.P. Private Quintal, Antoine Private Rabouin, Adolph Private Ramos, A. Private Raphael, Aristilde Private Rapp, Eugene* 1st Lieutenant Raymond, Antoine* Private Raynal, A 1st Sergeant Rebouil, Henry Corporal Relf, Samuel Private Relf, T.E. Corporal Remy, A. Private Remy, F. Private Remy, J.J. 1st Sergeant Remy, O.* Private Remy, R. Private Renier, J.B. Private Revoil, Arthur Sergeant Major Rey, Armand Drummer Rey, Hippolyte Corporal Rey, H. Louis* Captain Rey, Joseph Corporal Rey, Leon not available Rey, Octave 2nd Lieutenant Reyes, F. 2nd Lieutenant Ribaud, Jean Private Richard, A. Private Richard, J.# Private Rieffel, Octave Private Rivereau, E. Private Robert, Emile Sergeant Roche, A.# Corporal Roche, Julian Corporal Rochon, Adolph* Private Rock, Sosthens 1st Lieutenant Roland, Charles Corporal Romain, A.* Private Rouzan, Martin not available Sabatier, Dorsin Private Sabatier, Paul Private Sacriste, J.D. Private Salvador, Gaspard Private Samuel, Oscar* Private Sannon, Theophiles Sergeant Santos, Leonard not available Sargosse, Arthur not available Sarrazin, A. Private Saulet, Zenon Private Saulney, E. Private Sauvinet, A.T. Private Sauvinet, J.T. Corporal Sauvinet, S Captain Savary, Henry Private Scarpentier, Jean not available Scarpenter, Joseph not available Seaux, Eugene Private Seaux, Isidore Private Segura, A. Private Sejour, ------ Private Sejour, M.* Private Senac, Antony Private Sene, T. Private Senetmanat, Charles* Captain Servan, Paul Private Severain, Francois# Private Severin, Francois Private Shelly, Theodule Private Sherissa, Vincent Private Smith, Lewis Private Snaer, Auguste Private Soude, J.B. Private Soude, J.S. Private Spaer, Octave Private St. Ange, Joseph* Private Stanislas, Louis Private Sterk, H. Private Starmand, Joseph Corporal St. Cyr, Clement Sergeant Steel, A. Corporal St. Herman G. Private St. Ledger, Gustave not available St. Louis, H.* Private St. Manat, C. Captain Sylvestre, Elysee* Private Taillet, Laurentine Private Talma, J. Baptiste Private Tassin, Joseph Corporal Taylor, Charles Private Terence, Clement not available Ternoir, Leon* not available Tervalon, A.F. Private Theodore, Crescent Private Thevenotte, Simon Private Thezan, Theodore not available Thibant, Dominique Private Thiodore, A. Private Thiot, Armand Corporal Thomas, Antoine Private Thomas, Louis Private Thomas, Pierre Private Thomassin, Benjamin Private Thomatisse, Alexander Private Thomatisse, Leonice Private Thompson, Joseph* Corporal Thompson, Pierre Private Tomlinson, E.* Private Toregane, Micheal Private Toregane, Oscar Private Torigane, Colastin Private Torresse, Justave not available Toussaint, Auguste Private Toussaint, Auguste* Corporal Toussaint, Joseph Private Trepagnier, Francois* Private Trerigne, R. Private Turpin, J. Private Ulysse, Charles Private Urquhart, C.V. not available Valentin, Oscar Private Valery, Oscar Private Valet, Desir Private Valmour, ----- Private Vancression, L. Private Vegue, C. Private Venture, J Private Verdon, L 1st Lieutenant Victor, Arthur Joseph Private Victor, Nicholas Private Vidal, F. Private Vidal, J.F. Private Vierra, Louis* Private Vignaud, Etienne not available Vignaud, Joseph not available Vincent, Eugene Private Vivant, Louis, Jr. not available Voisin, Ferraud Private Voltair, Jacques Private Wale, William Private Warburg, Daniel Private Washington, J. Baptiste Private Willard, M.* Private Willard, Robert* Private Xavier, Benjamin Sergeant Major Zamora, John Private Zegg, E. Private Zenon, Joseph Private Zenon, Victor Private Zino, Nicolas not available Zuezere, L.P. Private THE NATIVE GUARDS' BLACK OFFICERS Black Officers in the Union Army During the Civil War During the Civil War, more than 125,000 men served as commissioned officers in the volunteer army of the United States. One hundred and eleven of these men were black, ninety of whom served in combat units. Of these combat officers, almost all served in the Louisiana Native Guards. The story of black officers in the Union Army during the Civil War is therefore the saga of the seventy-six men who held commissions in the Native Guards. There have been several attempts to identify black officers who served in the Native Guards. This task is not as easy as it might appear. The service records of Civil War soldiers normally do not contain information regarding race. Although reference to an officer's race may appear in a letter of resignation or other correspondence, one must infer whether an officer is black on the basis of other information. Below is a list of the black officers in the Native Guards. It comes from company muster rolls on the day each regiment was mustered into service as well as the military service records of every officer who served in one of the three regiments of the Native Guards. This list of black officers is probably as accurate as any that exists today. Name Rank Regt. Resigned Comments Barrett, William B. CPT 2nd 07/20/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice. Belley, William CPT 2nd 04/05/64 Resigned, not qualified by Board. Bertonneau, Arnold CPT 2nd 03/05/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice Bourgeau, Alfred 1LT 1st 03/07/64 Recommended for promotion in Oct. 1863. Butler, Charles 2LT 1st 04/04/63 Medical discharge, "rheumatism." Cailloux, Andrew CPT 1st 05/27/63 Killed at Port Hudson. Carter, Edward CPT 1st 10/21/63 Medical discharge, "piles." Carter, Hannibal CPT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126. Case, George R. CPT 1st 02/11/64 Medical discharge, "deafness." Chase, Edward P. CPT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126. Crowder, John 2LT 1st 05/27/63 Killed at Port Hudson. Davis, Edgar CPT 1st 09/01/63 Trans. to 91st USCT & resigned. De Gray, Louis 1LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126. Depass, John CPT 1st 02/27/63 Resigned to return to England. Depremont, Peter O. 2LT 2nd 07/17/63 Resigned, no reason given. Detiege, Emile 1LT 1st 09/25/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice. Dumas, Francis E. MAJ 2nd 07/03/63 Resigned, no reason given. Fleury, Alphonse, Jr. 1LT 2nd 04/04/63 Medical discharge, "sickness." Fog[y], Octave 2LT 1st 03/30/63 Discharge for "physical disability." Follin, Joseph CPT 1st 02/29/64 Resigned for reasons of prejudice. Forstall, Leon G. CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Gardiner, Peter A. CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Gibbons, Charles W CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Gla, Jacques Adolph CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Glover, Calvin B. 1LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126. Hardin, William 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Hays, Solomon 2LT 2nd 02/18/64 Resigned, "ignorant, unable to learn." Holland, John C. CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Hubeau, Ernest 1LT 2nd 01/22/63 Resigned, no reason. Ingraham, James H. CPT 1st 03/22/64 Recommended for promotion in Oct. 1863. Isabelle, Robert H. 2LT 2nd 03/05/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice. Jones, Joseph 1LT 2nd 07/13/63 Resigned, no reason given. Keeling, William F. 1LT 2nd 02/24/63 Dismissed by board, S. O. No. 55. Lanien, Louis, D. 1LT 1st 06/03/63 Resigned, but no service record. Latting, John W. 2LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126. Lavigne, Victor 2LT 1st 09/05/63 Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned. Lawrence, Samuel CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Lesassier, Valdes 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Lewis, Alcide CPT 1st 08/26/63 Dismissed for cowardice, S.O. No. 211. Lewis, James CPT 1st 03/14/64 Medical discharge, "piles." Longpre, Ernest 1LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Louis, Jules P. 2LT 2nd 04/04/63 Medical discharge, "sickness." Mallet, Jules 1LT 1st 09/05/63 Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned. Martin, Theodule A. 1LT 2nd 08/15/64 Medical discharge, "scurvy." Merillion, Monroe CPT 2nd 02/24/63 Dismissed by board, S. O. No. 55. Montieu, Joseph L. 2LT 1st 09/01/63 Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned. Moore, James E. 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Morphy, Ernest 1LT 2nd 03/05/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice. Morris, Morris W. 1LT 1st 08/27/63 Resigned on death of father. Moss, Ehurd 1LT 1st 03/14/64 Resigned to avoid being discharged. Oliver, Joseph C. CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation, "excellent officer." Orillion, Oscar 2LT 1st 08/03/63 Missing-in-action near Jackson, LA. Paree, Paul 1LT 1st 08/11/63 Medical discharge, "rheumatism." Parker, Joseph G. 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Petit, Louis 1LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Pinchback, P. B. S. CPT 2nd 9/11/63 "Only col'd officer" at Fort Pike. Rapp, Eugene 1LT 1st 09/27/63 Resigned, no reason given.] Rey, Henry L. CPT 1st04/06/63 Medical discharge, "disease." Rey, Hippolyte 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Rey, Octave 2LT 2nd 03/05/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice. Ringgold, Samuel W. CPT 2nd 07/20/63 Protested make-up of Examining Board. Sauvinet, Charles S. 1LT 2nd 07/11/65 Promoted to Asst. Quarter Master. Schermerhorn, Charles 2Lt 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Scott, Lucien 2LT 2nd 02/24/63 Dismissed by Board, S. O. No. 55. Sentmanat, Charles CPT 1st 10/02/63 Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned. Snaer, Louis A. CPT 1st 11/27/65 On duty at the end of the war. St. Louis, Hyppolite 2LT 1st 08/26/63 Dismissed by Banks. Tervalon, Francois 1LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation. Thibaut, Louis A. 2LT 1st 08/26/63 Dismissed by Banks. Thompson, Jasper 2LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126. Trask, Frank L. 2LT 2nd 02/21/64 Dismissed, left guard post. Villeverde, Joseph CPT 2nd 08/15/64 Dismissed by Board, S. O. No. 215. Warfield, Charles 2LT 1st 02/27/63 Resigned, "benefit of the service." Watson, George F. 1LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. Wellington, Joseph 1LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126. Wilkinson, Samuel J. CPT 2nd 07/20/63 Protested make-up of Examining Board. PUBLIC OFFICES HELD BY BLACK OFFICERS Barrett, William B. 1833-1915 LA free literate barber, editor La. House of Representatives, 1870-72 Bertonneau, Arnold 1834-1912 LA free literate merchant Assistant internal revenue collector Carter, Hannibal 1835-? MS free literate barber, merchant Miss. House of Representatives, 1872-73 Davis, Edgar C. 1830-1917 LA free literate cooper La. House of Representatives, 1870-72 Detiege, Emile 1840-? LA free literate mason La. State Senate, 1874-76 La. House of Representatives, 1877-80 Dumas, Francis E. 1837-1901 LA free literate clothing store owner ran unsuccessfully for several offices; Engineer on federal levee project. Gla, Jacques A. 1833-1894 LA free literate planter La. State Senate, 1872, 1874-80 Ingraham, James H. 1832-1876 LA slave literate carpenter, editor La. Constitutional Convention of 1868 Surveyor of the Port of New Orleans Isabelle, Robert H. 1837-1907 LA free literate clerk, lawyer, editor La. House of Representatives, 1868-70 New Orleans Police Department Lewis, James 1832-1914 LA slave literate police officer Captain, New Orleans Police Department Delegate to Republican Nat'l Conven. 1872 New Orleans City Council 1873 Administrator of Public Works Morphy, Ernest C. ?-? LA free literate ? La. House of Representatives, 1870-72 Recorder of Births, Marriages, & Deaths for Orleans Parish, 1873-? Oliver, Joseph C. 1832-? LA free literate lawyer La. Constitutional Convention of 1868 Sheriff, St. James Parish, 1871 Pinchback, P. B. S. 1837-1921 LA free literate businessman, editor lawyer La. Constitutional Cenvention of 1868 La. State Senate, 1868-71 Lieutenant-Governor, 1872 Acting Governor, 1872-73 various appointed offices, 1870s &1880s Rapp, Eugene 1836-1922 LA free literate tailor Captain, New Orleans Police Department Rey, Henry L. 1831-? LA free literate clerk La. House of Representatives, 1868-70 Rey, Octave 1837-1908 LA free literate cooper Captain, New Orleans Police Department Sauvinet, Charles S. ?-? LA free literate cashier Sheriff, Orleans Parish, 1870-72 This information was absracted from Eric Foner (ed.), Freedom's Lawmakers: A Directory of Black Officeholders During Reconstruction (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1993 & 1996 [paperback]).AFTER THE CIVIL WAR Note: This website for the Louisiana Native Guard can be found at http://www2.netdoor.com/%7Ejgh/index.html There are many photographs at this site and if you have interest in the people mentioned in this file you will want to visit the website.