LOUISIANA CONFEDERATE MILITARY RECORDS
By A. B. BOOTH, Commissioner Military Records.
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LOUISIANA CONFEDERATE MILITARY RECORDS.
By A. B. BOOTH, Commissioner Military Records. 1920.

It is reasonably certain, that there is not extant a complete and perfect record of the Individual Members of any Louisiana Confederate States Army Command. The nearest approach to such a Record is to be found in the Records in the Office of the Commissioner of Louisiana Military Records, of such Organizations as served in the Army of Northern Virginia, where the discipline was, perchance, best and where the Muster Rolls and Reports were more promptly and regularly made. These Records do, however, furnish many thousand proofs of Individual Soldiers complete and perfect, in establishing their devoted Service to their Country to the end of the Strife.

Patriotic Men, who were either Killed in battle, Died in Camp, or in Hospital, Languished in Northern Prisons until after the Fall of the Confederacy, or were duly present and Paroled, at the final Surrender of the Confederate States Armies. It is a lamentable fact, however, that a very large number, many of whom had served with honorable records, to within a short time of the close of the War, were absent without leave, at the final Surrender of their respective Commands, and therefore, were not Included in the Rolls of those actually Surrendered and Paroled: their Orderly Sergeants very properly not reporting them for Parole.

These are themselves to blame, not the Parole Records, for their not being in the Parole Lasts, with their former Comrades in arms. And the plight of such as these as were in the Trans-Mississippi Department is aggravated by the fact that at the Surrender of General E. Kirby Smith May 26th. 1866, it is said the Confederate Records including the Muster Rolls, were Burned at Shreveport, La., so that there were no Records left to even show their Service up to near the time of Final Surrender.

Thus the whole burden of proof is thrown upon these absentees. This condition of absenteeism is fully established by many Official Records and Papers, not only for the Louisiana Soldiers in the West, but also for troops in other Sections of the South. This condition gives additional luster to the loyal service of those noble men, whose devotion to duty .and to Country, nerved them to stand the final test of Soldierly Honor, and while their Comrades were deserting from duty, and from them, yet stood firm and did not lay down their arms, until they could do so honorably and deserve the Parole, which is their Certificate of loyalty, faithfulness, devotion to Country, and to their enlistment Oath.

These conditions are described by Officers in Command, some of whom I quote below, especially to show conditions in the Trans-Mississippi Department as follows: Head Quarters Trans-Mississippi Dept. Shreveport, La., April 21st, 1866. Soldiers of the Trans-Mississippi Army The crisis of our revolution is at hand. Great disasters have overtaken us. The Army of Northern Virginia and Our Commanders-in-Chief are prisoners of War. With you rests the hopes of our Nation, and upon your action depends the fate of our people. I appeal to you in the name of the cause you have so heroically maintained in the name of your firesides and families so dear to you in the name of your bleeding Country, whose future is in your hands. Show that you are worthy of your position in History. Prove to the World, that your hearts have not failed in the hour of disaster, and that at the last moment you will sustain the whole cause, which has been so gloriously battled for by your Brethren East of the Mississippi.

You possess the means of long resisting invasion. You have hopes of succor from abroad, protract the struggle and you will surely receive the aid of nations who already deeply sympathize with you. Stand by your colors, maintain your discipline. The great resources of this Department, its vast extent, the numbers, the discipline, and the efficiency of this army will secure to our Country terms, that a proud people can with honor accept, and may under the Providence of God, be the means of chocking the triumph of our enemy and securing the final success of our Cause.

J. B. MAGRUDER,
Major General, Commanding.

Headquarters Forces Front Lines.
May 11, 1866. Col. R. L. Capers,
Commanding Fifth Louisiana Cavalry:

COLONEL: You will express my commendation and approval to the men of your regiment who have remained true to their colors, notwithstanding the force of example and temptation. The circumstances that surround us are peculiar, and we should act with that patriotism that has ever distinguished the soldier. The interest of the private and the officer is identical, for the power that is vested in the one arises only from the representation and obedience of the other. What particular object those unfortunate men, who secretly left their companions on the night of the 9th. instant, may have expected to accomplish' is difficult to imagine. By this one step they lose the results of their Jong endurance and sacrifice, the reputation that they have won. I have no desire to force men against their wishes to struggle for their own freedom, and under no circumstances would I wish to lead into battle any body of men who desire to abandon the cause for which we have taken up arms. There is a time for all things, and men should not unduly precipitate their action. I have no doubt but that opportunities will be frankly offered for men to select their own course; and that no unreasonable violence will be exhibited by our superior officers, who have attested by the common perils that they have freely shared with us their devotion to the common weal. But the present is not the time for men to act.
Entrusted with the duty of the front, sacred responsibilities toward our comrades in arms require us to be vigilant and faithful; and even those who have or may determine to abandon the contest and go home will. if they desire to do so, have ample opportunities to execute their purpose, when, even if we had the desire, we would not have the power to retain them. How sad would be the spectacle of Louisianans turning upon each other those arms which they took up against a common foe, whose triumph this fraternal contest would consecrate. We have stood together in many trying scenes, and if we must part let us not part as enemies, but as brothers, dealing openly and frankly with each other, not going -away from each other in the night as if we knew some wrong was being committed towards those who remain. Then while we remain together let us cherish toward each other the same confidence that has ever existed; and I trust that it is not necessary for me to eay that the men will find in me one who sympathizes with their many sufferings and who has no disposition to exercise his authority for the purpose of oppression. In the short period, our men have been attached to my command I have been pleased with them and gratified at their bearing; and I am confident if those men who left us the other night had come and conversed frankly with me they would now have remained. cheerful and contented. with those now present with the regiment who have thus preserved their honor untarnished to the end. I am, Colonel. yours respectfully.

J. L. BRENT,
Brigadier-General Commanding.

Headquarters Forces Front Lines,
Alexandria, La. May 13th. 1866,
COLONEL R. L. CAPERS; (Through Col. W. G. Vincent, Commanding Brigade, Ac.)

COLONEL: I regret to learn the sad demoralization of your command, but I take pleasure in expressing to you my conviction, that you have done all in your power to check it. I wish you to proceed with the debris of your Regiment to Mansfield to report to Brigadier-General Bagby. If you can cross Cane River at Monett's Ferry, you will proceed via, Natchitoches. If not, you can turn off to the right and go by Beasley's, Bellwood. Fort Jessup and Pleasant Hill. If on reaching Beasley's, you deem it advisable for supplies to march via Natchitoches you can do so, but this will be near fifteen miles out of your way. You can get meal early tomorrow morning at Boyce's Mill's and this evening, you may move your Regiment to that vicinity, sending an Officer to Monett's Ferry to meet you on your march to-morrow, with the information relative to the crossing. I wish you to move what you can carry, as rapidly as possible. Express my admiration to the Officers and Men of Company E at their conduct.

Respectfully,
J. L. BRENT,
Brigadier-Genl. Commanding.

Houston, May 16th. 1866 General E. Kirby Smith,
Commanding Trans-Mississippi Dept. Shreveport, Louisiana.

GENERAL: Major-General Walker refuses to give up the Command for the present to Brigadier-General Bee, though he was informed that the order came from Department Headquarters. I wish De Bray's Regt., ordered to Harrisburg. A portion of the Garrison at Galveston mutinied on Sunday. This arrangement will probably prevent another mutiny and save Houston It is a burning injustice to me to deprive me of the command of the Cavalry under these trying circumstances.

J. B. McGRUDER,
Major-Genl. Commanding.

Houston, May 16th. 1866. General E. Kirby Smith.
Commanding Trans-Mississippi Department, Shreveport, La.

GENERAL: On the night of the 14th inst. from most reliable information that can be obtained, some 400 of the troops attempted to desert the post of Galveston. Colonel Smith by prompt action supported by Colonel Timmons' and Colonel Hobby's Regiments arrested their advance and restored quiet. I learn from Major-General Maxey, that, notwithstanding all his efforts, he cannot produce each a state of feeling in his Division, as will justify him in depending upon their resisting. I have seen letters from intelligent Officers in Walker's Infantry Division who state that those troops will fight no longer. I have sent for Gen. Walker, and he will be here to-day; will add what he may say after I see him. The Officers and men insist upon dividing the property before the Surrender, and I think it ought to be done, as I have telegraphed you. I have exerted myself more than I ever did to instill a spirit of resistance into the men, but in vain. I but make myself antagonistic to the Army and an object of their displeasure. Nothing more can be done except to satisfy the Soldiers, to induce them to preserve their organization, and to send them in Regiments. &c. to their homes with as little damage to the community as possible. For God's sake act or let me act.

J. B. McGRUDER, Major-General. Commanding.

Post Script: I entirely concur in the foregoing. I will say in addition that my observation convinces me that the troops of this District cannot be relied upon. They consider the contest a hopeless one, and will lay down their arms at the first appearance of the Enemy. This is the unanimous, opinion of the Brigade and Regimental Commands of Forney's Division, whom I have this day consulted. The Cavalry are still firm and quiet, but only waiting for what they consider the inevitable result, viz.. Surrender.

Respectfully, &c. J. G. WALKER, Major-General Commanding Division of Cav.
Head Quarters Forces Front Lines,
Alexandria, May 17th. 1866. Colonel L. A. Bringier Comdg. Seventh Louisiana Cavalry. Colonel:

General Brent has directed me in his temporary absence to open all Communications to him marked or "Private," and if they related to Official matters requiring immediate attention to refer them to Co. Vincent, commanding the front. In accordance with those instructions your communication of the 16th. instant was referred to Colonel Vincent, who would respectfully direct you to use your own discretion in granting leaves of absence to your men for such time and purpose, as you think best consistent with preserving Regimental Organization. Indeed, with the whole Country Filled with Deserters with arms in their hands, the question would naturally arise whether many of these, who have thus far remained true and fast to their colors should not be allowed to go home to defend their families. The fact can no longer be concealed, that the whole Army and People, with scarce an individual exception, are resolved to fight no more, and to break up the Army at all hazards. All is confusion and demoralization here, nothing like order and discipline remains. Heavy desertions and plundering of Government property of every Kind is the order of the day. There are but eighty-six enlisted men at the forte. All the Commands of every arm of the Service at an near Alexandria are destroyed, viz: Yoist's and McMahan's Batteries; the Heavy Artillery and Infantry at the Forts, the Third and Fifth Louisiana Cavalry. The Second Cavalry still retains its organization, but there have been Heavy Desertions, the men are thoroughly demoralized and all may leave at any moment; in a word Colonel, the army is destroyed and we must look the matter square in the face and shape our actions (Personally and Officially) accordingly. The Colonel Commanding commends you highly for your success in preserving thus long your organization and so many men. He thinks that all that can be expected of you is to use every mild and conciliatory means to preserve your Regimental Organization, but any violent measures to restrain Desertions now is believed both by him and General Brent to be conducive of no good results, and would only tend to exasperate the Soldiery and cause them to commit depredations on Citizens, besides endangering the lives of Officers uselessly. The Colonel Commanding hopes the tenor of this communication will be properly understood; it is designed to be merely advisory, and you are left free to act as you think best, and at the same time to preserve Regimental Organization.

Respectfully,
D. F. BOYD, Assistant Adjutant General.

Headquarters Forces Front Lines,
Alexandria, May 20th, 1866.
Colonel L. A. BRINGIER,
Commanding Seventh Louisiana Cavalry:

Colonel: The Colonel Commanding congratulates you on your safe arrival at Tanner's with your train. He directs that you remain at or near Tanner's till further orders, and if you find yourself unable to preserve your train, you will distribute your wagons and teams to responsible planters in the neighborhood of your camp, taking a receipt "to be returned on your order." It would be worse than useless to attempt to bring your train here. Every wagon and mule would be stolen in less than four hours after your arrival. There is corn at Tanner's, at your own depot, it is said, and also Government Beeves in the swamps nearby. Col. Vincent believes, therefore, that you will have no difficulty in subsisting your command. He furthermore impresses upon you the necessity of preserving your regimental organization intact, and for that reason, and the fact that General Brent expressly ordered that your leave of absence be withheld till further orders, Col. Vincent, in the absence of any order from General Brent on the subject, does not feel authorized to send you your leave of absence. He regrets, that he feels it his duty to contravene your wishes in that regard, but your presence is so necessary at all times to your command, and especially at this juncture, that he feels confident, that you will cheerfully acquiesce in his decision. General Brent is now on the Mississippi River attempting to negotiate a surrender of Gen. Hay's command, District of West Louisiana. The Louisiana Generals are acting independently of General Smith and General Buckner, who are determined in no event to surrender, have now no hope of success and would bring ruin on Louisiana and Texas merely to enable them to escape with a Corporal's Guard into Mexico. For these reasons Louisiana must look out for herself, and there is but little doubt, that in a few days the district will be surrendered on the terms granted General Taylor. Enclosed please find copy of General Order from Headquarters. Should you have any difficulty to subsist, let it be known; an effort (but in vain we fear) will be made to relieve you.

Respectfully,
D. F. BOYD, Assistant Adjutant-General.

This shows the trying and unsatisfactory condition of affairs just before the final surrender of Gen. J. E. Kirby Smith's Army on May 26th, 1866. It was indeed a situation to test the loyalty and soldierly qualities of the Confederate troops in the Trans-Mississippi army, both officers and men.

It is indeed an honor to such officers as our creole fellow citizen (long since deceased) Col. L. A. Bringier, and the men who remained steadfast in the performance of duty, until honorably surrendered and paroled. It is also a 'credit to the Cavalry branch of the service that they showed up as well as they did under these very trying conditions; when so many of their comrades in arms, especially in other branches of the service, had weakened, and left
unmindful of their duty to remain subject to orders, to the end. The federal parole Hat here, becomes a roll of honor, certifying to the loyalty of every confederate soldier surrendered, and paroled in the Trans-Mississippi Department and in fact all over the South.

This does not mean however that there are not some who served to the end of the war, and who were really entitled to and deserving of parole, who will not show on our parole lists, or have record in our publication, showing service to the end of the war. But the number is comparatively small. There were some however, who were absent on short furlough which extended beyond the date of surrender. Others were on detail service in the Commissary, Quartermaster, or Ordnance departments, away from their commands, and who may have failed to come in and get paroled, at the time of surrender. Some others were absent wounded or on sick furlough, or in Hospitals at a distance, and may not have been accounted for by the Orderly sergeant, or officer who turned in the eligible soldiers for parole. These are of course unfortunate cases, unfortunate alike to the soldier, and to his posterity, but fortunately there are not very many of these.

I hold however that where all the record the Government has of a soldier is good and no faltering or neglect of duty, is found recorded against him, and his service is shown to the end of 1864; great charity should be exercised toward him, and he should be given the benefit of the doubt in honoring his record if living, or memory if dead, or in extending the pension benefits to him or his widow if such survive him. The rather chaotic condition prevailing everywhere at the front in 1866, would appear to give some justification to such extension of charitable consideration, to those whose good record previously would somewhat extenuate their fault of absence, at the last moment of the most crucial test. Such charitable consideration for those who are unfortunate could in no way detract from the honor and glory due to every soldier, who died on the battle field or in camp, or who languished in Northern prisons to the end, or was honorably discharged for sickness, or wounds, or who was paroled at the end of the war. Our publication will perpetuate the certificate of honor which these have earned and they can afford to be charitable to their comrades of good record, otherwise, but who were unfortunate at the end.

Fortunately at the close of the war between the States the muster rolls and confederate papers captured by the Union Army from the Confederates, were sent to the War Department, and were there saved, collated, and compiled for reference papers. But the people of the States both North and South were refused access to them for forty-five years after the war. The State of Louisiana was the first state to make the fight to get access to these records, and was the first state to succeed in getting to them for Historical purposes, although many states North and South had applied and had been refused by department ruling.

And it was nearly four years after the attempt to collate and compile records of the Louisiana Confederate Soldiers was begun by Commissioner Thomas W. Castleman, that through the aid of our members of Congress, he finally got access to the vaults containing these Louisiana Records. He then commenced the Photographing of the records, which work had to be done under supervision of a Government official who counted and controlled each piece, and watched that no changes could be made in the Rolls. All of these Photographs of War Rolls, of Louisiana Confederate Troops, are now in the Office of the Commissioner of Military Records. They exhibit possibly 460,000 Photographs of Individual Card Records of service, of Louisiana Soldiers.

There are 24,199 Photographed Record Sheets of which 413 are Photographs of copies made in the War Department, Washington, D. C. of Rolls borrowed from Memorial Hall New Orleans, La., in 1903 for the purpose of copying them. We have also 39,249 envelope Card Records of Paroled Soldiers, Prison Records, Death Lists, Etc. We estimate the enlistment from Louisiana in the Confederate Army at about 66,000 and with reenlistments other than twelve months Regiments, which re-enlisted as Commands, would go possibly to 66,000 names. When we complete our publication, the number will be more accurately established. When completed the compilation and the publication of the Individual Record of each Soldier, in alphabetical form A to Z for future reference, with a brief History of the 982 Companies, and the various Commands from Louisiana, will add interest and usefulness to the work for all time.

These publications when completed, will be of interest to many thousand descendants of Louisiana Confederate Soldiers; and be a just and lasting tribute and monument to the Soldier himself. It is a work, which requires the most painstaking integrity, that only facts be published, and that no omissions are permitted, which could detract from or mar the good name of any Soldier who served faithfully.

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Typing, editing and Format by C. W. Barnum