Louisiana Legion
The Louisiana Legion was a militia unit based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Formed in 1821, it was "the oldest brigade in the city."[1] It was a combined arms force, with infantry, cavalry and artillery components. The Louisiana Legion was disbanded, along with all other volunteer Louisiana companies, in February 1862 to free soldiers to join other American Civil War units.
The Louisiana Legion was organized in 1821 with four companies, including the Washington Artillery.[2] The Cabildo, which served as the first armory of the Washington Artillery, still bears the initials of the Louisiana Legion ("L. L.") in the iron latticework of its balcony.[2] The following year, Count Louis Philippe de Roffignac became its colonel.[3]
By 1853, the unit "consisted almost exclusively of foreigners".[4] In 1855, when its commander, Brigadier General H. W. Palfrey, was absent, his duties were regularly carried out by German Colonel Fred Otto Eichholz, a veteran of the Mexican War.[4]
"By the beginning of 1861 this [the Louisiana Legion] consisted of the Orleans Battalion of Artillery, containing French and Spanish citizens; the Regiment of Light Infantry, composed of Germans; and the newly formed battalion of Chasseurs à Pied de la Louisiane."[1] Other Legion subunits in 1861 included: "the Battalion of Italian Guards, the Légion Française, the Beauregard Battalion, the Battalion of Cazadores, the French Volunteers, and the Battalion of Orleans Guards."[1] That same year, the entire staff resigned, including Eichholz.[4] Brigadier General Charles Labuzan assumed command some time after.[5] In September, the unit, 2223 strong (if not well-armed), paraded through the city to reassure the residents they were well protected.[4] In December, all naturalized citizens were ordered to leave the unit so they could join companies made up of citizens.[4] The remaining foreigners were only subject to the militia law of Louisiana, not the laws of the Confederacy.[4] In February 1862, the Louisiana Legion and all other volunteer companies in Louisiana were dissolved by law.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Field, Ron (2006). The Confederate Army 1861-65: Virginia & Arkansas, Volume 4. Osprey Publishing. p. 5. ISBN 1-84603-031-5. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
- ^ a b "Washington Artillery Arsenals". washingtonartillery.com. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
- ^ "New Orleans Mayors". storyvilledistrictnola.com. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g Mehrländer, Andrea (2011). The Germans of Charleston, Richmond and New Orleans During the Civil War Period, 1850-1870: A Study and Research Compendium. Walter de Gruyter. pp. 114–117. ISBN 9783110236880. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ^ "18th Louisiana: Letters Home". Retrieved August 21, 2015.
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- 1st Louisiana Regulars Infantry Regiment
- 1st Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 2nd Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 3rd Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 4th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 5th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 6th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
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- 8th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 9th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 10th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 11th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 12th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 13th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 13th and 20th Consolidated Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 14th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 15th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 16th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 16th and 25th Consolidated Louisiana Infantry Regiment
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- 18th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 19th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 20th Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 21st Louisiana Infantry Regiment
- 22nd Louisiana Infantry Regiment
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- Miles' Legion (32nd Louisiana Infantry Regiment)
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- 1st Louisiana Infantry Battalion
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- 1st Louisiana Cavalry Regiment
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- Pointe Coupee Artillery
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- Donaldsonville Louisiana Artillery
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- 1st Louisiana Native Guard (Confederate)
- 6th Regiment, European Brigade
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