The 1st Louisiana Tigers

      Unit History

         

 

                                                            

                                                        

 

                          

       THIS PAGE IS RATHER LONG BUT HAS EXTENSIVE RESEARCH MATERIAL ABOUT THE TIGERS!

 

 At the bottom of this page you will find extensive links to other websites as well as recommended reading.

 

For the complete Original Tiger Roster please click HERE

 

For a list of other Units in the Louisiana Brigade click HERE

 

To a link of even MORE history including historical descriptions click HERE

 

Wheat's' Battalion Chronology

Compiled By: Susan Hikida

26 January 1861, Saturday
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Delegates at the Louisiana State Convention vote in favor of an ordinance of secession 113 to 17, making Louisiana the sixth state to secede from the United States. The state begins seizure of Federal government and military facilities. Business in New Orleans slows almost a halt.

12 April 1861, Friday
The New Orleans Daily Crescent notes recruiting by Chatham Roberdeau Wheat (for a unit later known as the Old Dominion Guard) at his headquarters are on 64 St. Charles Street.

13 April 1861, Saturday
The Daily Picayune notes recruiting by Thomas Dolan among the friends of William Walker (of the Nicaragua filibuster fame) at 99 Gravier street.

15 April 1861, Monday
The New Orleans Daily Crescent notes recruitment for the Walker Rifles by Dolan.

17 April 1861, Wednesday
The New Orleans Daily Crescent notes continued recruiting by the Walker Guards (formerly Walker Rifles).

The Daily Picayune also notes recruitment for the Rough and Ready Rangers (later know as Wheat's Life Guards) at a meeting at 2:00 P. M. at No. 104 St. Charles street.

18 April 1861, Wednesday
The Daily True Delta and the Daily Picayune notes the Walker Guards election, of the previous night, of Robert A. Harris as captain. E. B. Sloan and William H. Kennon are elected as lieutenants.

The Daily Picayune also notes the Rough and Ready Rangers' officer elections the previous afternoon.

The Daily True Delta regarding recruitment by R. C. Wheat at 64 St. Charles Street.

19 April 1861, Friday
The New Orleans Daily Crescent notes recruiting by Alexander White for the Tiger Rifles at 29 Front Levee, between Gravier and Poydras street.

20 April 1861, Saturday
The Daily True Delta notes the Walker Guards moves from 99 Gravier Street to "the corner of Lafayette and Tchoupitoulas street for the purpose of drill".

The Daily True Delta also comments on the name of Wheat's company and notes continued recruitment at 64 St. Charles Street.

22 April 1861, Monday
New Orleans Daily Crescent reports that the Tiger Rifles rolls are filled.

23 April 1861, Tuesday
New Orleans Daily Delta reports recruiting by Wheat for recruitment for a proposed battalion at No. 29 Front Levee Street.

24 April 1861, Wednesday
The Tiger Rifles receives an issue of James Cosgrove accoutrement consisting of cap boxes, waist belts, waist belt plates, and cartridge boxes for rifles. Neither bayonet scabbards nor shoulder belts are included in this issue. (RB)

2_ April 1861
The Tiger Rifles joins Wheat's Old Dominion Guard as part of a battalion.

4 May 1861, Saturday
Wheat's Battalion organized in New Orleans at Camp Walker (at Metairie Race Track,). The companies consist of the Old Dominion Guard, the Tiger Rifles, and the Walker Guards.

8 May 1861, Wednesday
Walker Guards is presented with a company flag.

_ May 1861
Tiger Rifles is present with a company flag.

10 May 1861, Friday
The battalion is officially organized and officer elections held in the quarters of Captain Henry C. Gardner.

Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat

Walker Guards:
Captain Robert A. Harris
First Lieutenant Edward Sloan
Second Lieutenant William H. Kennon
Junior Second Lieutenant John Coyle.

Tiger Rifles:
Captain Alexander White
First Lieutenant Thomas W. Adrian
Second Lieutenant Edward Hewitt
Junior Second Lieutenant Samuel P. Dushane.

Old Dominion Guards:
First Lieutenant Obed P. Miller
Second Lieutenant William D. Foley
Junior Second Lieutenant Allen C. Dickinson.

Delta Rangers:
Captain Henry. C. Gardner
First Lieutenant Thaddeus A. Ripley
Second Lieutenant Austin Eastman, Jr.
Second Lieutenant Charles A. Pitman.

Orleans Claiborne Guards:
Captain Henry Chaffin
First Lieutenant G. W. Ryder
Second Lieutenant G. W. Hanna,
Junior Second Lieutenant Frank S. Carey.

13 May 1861, Sunday
The Battalion prepares to move to Camp Moore to complete organization

14 May 1861, Monday
The Tiger Rifles departs for Camp Moore by train.

15 May 1861, Tuesday
Wheat's battalion arrives at Camp Moore. Camp Moore is located near Tangipahoa in St. Helena Parish.

16 May 1861, Wednesday
Private William Douglas, of the Tiger Rifles, is struck by a train and killed while on guard duty at Camp Moore. He is the first soldier interred in the camp's cemetery.

18 May 1861, Friday
The Delta Rangers receive an issue of James Cosgrove accoutrement consisting of cap boxes, bayonet scabbards, waist belts, waist belt plates, cartridge boxes for rifle or musket, and shoulder belts. (RB)

25 May 1861, Saturday
Wheat is commissioned as a major by Louisiana's Governor Thomas O. Moore.

26 May 1861, Sunday
Wheat's Battalion holds a review.

27 May 1861, Monday
The Old Dominion Guards' Captain Obed Miller writes a thank you message to the supporters of Wheat's Battalion which is published in the New Orleans Daily Crescent.

4 June 1861, Tuesday
The Catahoula Guerillas receive an issue of Magee & Kneass accoutrement consisting of cap pouches, waist belts, cartridge boxes for muskets, and gun slings. (RB)

5 June 1861, Wednesday
The companies are designated as the 1st Special Battalion, Louisiana Volunteer Infantry.

The Walker Guards receive an issue of Magee & Kneass consisting of gun slings. (RB)

The Tiger Rifles receive an issue of Magee & Kneass consisting of cap pouches, cartridge boxes for musket, and gun slings. (RB)

The Delta Rangers receive an issue of Magee & Kneass consisting of gun slings. (RB)

The Old Dominion Guard receive an issue of Magee & Kneass accoutrement consisting of cap pouches, bayonet scabbards, waist belts, cartridge boxes for muskets, shoulder belts, and gun slings. (RB)

The Orleans Claiborne Guards receive an issue of Magee & Kneass accoutrement consisting of cap pouches, bayonet scabbards, waist belts, cartridge boxes for muskets, shoulder belts, and gun slings. (RB)

6 June 1861, Thursday
The 1st Louisiana Special Battalion mustered into service with five companies and a total strength of 415. The Catahoula Guerrillas is assigned to the Battalion around this time.

8 or 9 June 1861
The Delta Rangers (Captain Henry Clay Gardener) are assigned to Wheat's Battalion. [Booth's Louisiana Soldiers show members of Co. D enlisting at Camp Moore on 8 and 9 June 1861.]

10 June 1861, Monday
The Orleans Claiborne Guards is disbanded due to failure to fill its rolls.

 

 Part 3: July to December 1861

22 July 1861, Monday
Special Order No. 146 places Evan's command at or near the Stone Bridge. Captain Robert A. Harris is placed in temporary command of Wheat's Battalion. Major Wheat is moved to the cottage of Major Louis Cabell near the railroad station at Manassas.

24 July 1861, Wednesday
Wheat's Battalion is camped at the Stone Bridge.

25 July 1861, Thursday
The Tigers are located near or at Centreville, Virginia. Special Order No. 169 places Wheat's Battalion in the Eighth Brigade (Louisiana Brigade) with Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Louisiana Infantry Regiments under Colonel J. G. Seymour, General W. H. T. Walker in temporary command.

26 July 1861, Friday
Wheat receives a visit and praises from General Beauregard.

2_ July 1861
Captain Alexander White challenges Captain George McCausland to a duel. McClausland, aide to Brigadier General Nathan Evans, accuses White of not obeying an order during the recent battle. Mississippi rifles are selected as weapons. White fires first, mortally wounding McCausland. White is placed under arrest.

2_ July 1861
Colonel Walter Hanson Jenifer (Eighth Virginia Cavalry Regiment) is placed in temporary command of Wheat's Battalion.

3 August 1861, Saturday
Most of the Louisiana Brigade is camped about 2-1/2 miles from Centreville near Blackburn's Ford. Wheat is moved to Culpeper to recuperate at the home of James Barbour.

7 August 1861, Wednesday
The 6th and 7th Louisiana Regiments and Wheat's Battalion are concentrated at "Camp Bienville" near Centreville along the Bull Run, under the command of Colonel Seymour. The Louisiana troops receive a visit by the Honorable John Slidell and Warren Stone.

10 August 1861, Saturday
In the streets of Lynchburg, Virginia, a drunken brawl breaks out among some members of Tenth Louisiana Regiment and other Louisiana soldiers. Such was the reputation of Wheat's Tigers that a witness identifies them as the culprits. (RB)

11 August 1861, Sunday
The Louisiana Brigade is located near Mitchell's Ford

12 August 1861, Monday
The Louisiana Brigade, except the 8th Louisiana Infantry Regiment, is camped between the Bull Run and Centreville.

August to December 1861
The Tigers suffer from an epidemic of mumps, measles, and whooping cough. Battalion rolls show 421officers and men in August 1861.

August: 239 on sick roll
September: 179 on sick roll
October: 134 on sick roll
November: 49 on sick roll
December: 68 on sick roll

September to early October 1861
Lieutenant Colonel Charles de Choiseul (Seventh Louisiana Infantry Regiment) placed in temporary command of Wheat's Battalion.

1 September 1861, Sunday
Wheat's Life Guards is assigned to the Battalion as Company F.

2 September 1861, Monday
A drunken brawl by the Tigers breaks out in camp near Colonel Charles de Choiseul's tent. Colonel de Choiseul's orderly is threatened by a soldier with a rifle when the orderly tries to arrest the soldier. The rifle failed to go off twice. The orderly subdues the soldier.

A Wheat's Battalion laundress is beaten and robbed in a thicket about 100 yards from the Tigers' guard house.

A fight erupts at the guard tent around 10:30 p.m. when 7 or 8 Tigers attempt to liberate captive comrades. De Choiseul "slugged" one man who threatened him. Seven or eight were confined in the guard tent, bucked and gagged.

3 September 1861, Tuesday
De Choiseul notices two Tigers casually walking out of camp toward Centreville. No privates were to leave camp without a signed pass, so he rides over to investigate. They inform de Choiseul that the orderly sergeant had given them permission to leave. Suspicious, de Choiseul then went to question the sergeant but ends up arresting him when the sergeant gave "an impudent answer" to his inquiry. Ordered to his quarters by de Choiseul, the soldier swaggered off uttering oaths under his breath. Another Tiger takes the side of the sergeant. When de Choiseul order this man to the guardhouse, but the soldier refuses. Furious at such insubordination, he picks up the man up by the collar and threw him heavily to the ground. The soldier continues to refuse, so de Choiseul knocked him to the ground a second time. By then several other Tigers had encircled de Choiseul and were pressing closer menacingly. Realizing the danger, the colonel fingered his revolver and sternly warned that he would shoot the first man who "raised a finger." The words were no sooner uttered than a "big double fisted ugly looking fellow came at me & said "God damn you, shoot me." Not one to bluff, de Choiseul immediately draws his pistol and fires, hitting the Tiger in the cheek.

ca. 3 September 1861, Tuesday
Wheat moved to Allegheny Springs after reopening his wound when attempting too much too soon.

13 September 1861, Friday
Word is received that Wheat would rejoin Battalion. The Tigers are ordered into rank and moved out to greet the Major, but Wheat is too weak to complete the journey and the disappointed Tigers returns to camp.

14 September 1861, Saturday
Major Wheat rejoins Tigers, but is still in poor health.

25 September 1861, Wednesday
The Louisiana Brigade marches six miles to one mile beyond Germantown, left of the Fairfax Courthouse Road, at Flint Hill. This camp is known as Camp Beauregard.

__ September? 1861
A horse race occurs at Flint Hill. The Louisiana Tigers' grey mare falls behind the Virginia horse when the reins breaks, possibly cut by its rider, before losing the race.

1 October 1861, Tuesday
Recruitment continues for the battalion at the St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans.

12 October 1861, Saturday
The Louisiana Brigade recorded as still camped at Camp Walker near Germantown.

16 October 1861, Wednesday
The Louisiana Brigade falls back to Camp Bienville near Centreville.

17 October 1861, Thursday
The Louisiana Brigade receives order to move closer to the Bull Run near Blackburn Ford and Little Rocky Run. This camp is called Camp Reserve.

18 October 1861, Friday
Wheat's Battalion has 412 men and officers on its rolls.

20 October 1861, Sunday
Private James McCromick of the Sixth Louisiana Infantry Regiment, Co. F, is killed by a member of the Tiger Rifles.

21 October 1861 Monday
Colonel Richard Taylor (Ninth Louisiana Infantry Regiment) promoted to brigadier general.

22 October 1861, Tuesday
General Richard Taylor takes command of the Louisiana Brigade.

27 October 1861, Sunday
Wheat's Battalion detached from the Louisiana Brigade.

1 November 1861, Friday
Company D, Catahoula Guerrillas, is transferred to Seventh Louisiana Infantry Battalion. The Old Dominion Guard, becomes Company D.

4 November 1861, Monday
The Louisiana Brigade is located at Camp Reserve, 1 mile south of Centreville.

7 November 1861, Thursday
The Louisiana Brigade moves from its camp near McLane's Ford, on the Bull Run, receives word that they are to move to Centreville on November 8.

9 November 1861, Saturday
Wheat's Battalion moved to Camp Florida, about half a mile from Centreville.

_ November 1861
Wheat's Battalion is involved in brawl with 1st Kentucky Volunteers (usually separated in camp due to a feud between the units) after the two are accidentally bivouacked near each other. While in town, drunken gangs of both met and attacked each other with paving stones. The noise of stones bounding off houses wakes the town, but is ends when Company I, Fourth Virginia, separates the men.

_ November? 1861
A few Tigers share their whiskey with members of the Twenty First Georgia Volunteers, but the Georgians takes off with the Tiger's bottle and a fight breaks out. Nisbet rescues about a dozen men of the Tiger Rifles. He orders them taken to his tent to wash and a drink. The Tigers still insists that they would have won.

_ November 1861
General Richard Taylor appeals to General Joseph Johnston to have Wheat's Battalion transferred out of the Louisiana Brigade. Johnston refuses the request.

28 November 1861, Thursday
Several Tigers are ordered confined to guardhouse for brawling. A small group of drunken comrades attacked the guard in an attempt to liberate the prisoners and an officer is struck. Privates Michael O'Brien and Dennis Corcoran admit to being the ringleaders of the attack and are placed under arrest.

29 November 1861, Friday
Privates O'Brien and Corcoran are court-martialed and sentenced to execution by the Tiger Rifles. Wheat pleads for clemency for one of the privates who had carried him off the field at Manassas, but Taylor confirms his orders.

9 December 1861, Monday
Privates Corcoran and O'Brien executed in a field at the Murtaugh Place on the Blackburn Ford road between Centreville and Cub Run at about 11:30 a.m. The firing squad is made up of members of their company, the Tiger Rifles, at the order of General Richard Taylor to punish the unruly unit. Corcoran and O'Brien become the first Louisiana infantry executed in Northern Virginia.

17 December 1861, Tuesday
Taylor's Brigade moves to Camp Carondelet, two miles east of Manassas Junction and one mile from Bull Run.

__ December 1861
Major Wheat visits the Washington Artillery with the gift of champagne hidden in new boots.

25 December 1861, Wednesday
Taylor orders the Tigers to outpost duty several miles from Centreville. Captain Atkins stumbles upon a detachment from the First Virginia Cavalry Regiment at a tavern while riding picket. The Virginians invite Major Rob Wheat to the festivities.
 

Part 4: January to May 1862

14 January 1862, Tuesday
The Army of Northern Virginia is reorganized. Taylor's Brigade is placed in the Fourth (Ewell's) Division.

__February 1862
According to Campbell Brown, Mr. Richard Cunningham returns his home, on the Rappahannock, from a trip to move his valuables to Lynchburg. He discovers that his overseer had sold his stock of wines "thro' the window to the 'La. Tigers, &c.' at a dollar, or less, per bottle".

8 March 1862, Saturday
Orders are received to fall back to the Rappahannock via Manassas toward Orange Court House.

9 March 1862, Sunday
Wheat's Battalion evacuates their winter camp at Manassas, acting as the Louisiana (Taylor's) Brigade's rear guard. The marchers are met with incessant rain, muddy and rutted roads, and swollen streams.

11 March 1862, Tuesday
The Louisiana Brigade reaches the Rappahannock River at the Orange and Alexandria Railroad Bridge and encamps on the south bank. Ewell's Division is left to guard the crossing against Federal forces.

1_ April 1862
Tigers torch the bridge on Rappahannock River at Ewell's orders to prevent Union troops from crossing.

18 April 1862, Friday
Taylor's Brigade, with Ewell Division, marches south across the Rapidan River through rain, sleet, snow, and blizzard to new campgrounds at Gordonsville. Each soldier is ordered to carry not more than his rifle and ammunition, an extra set of clothing and shoes, and one blanket.

20 April 1862, Sunday
At Jackson's request, Ewell's Division halts at Liberty Mills (Somerset) for a rest.

25 April 1862, Friday
Federal forces capture the City of New Orleans.

27 April 1862, Sunday
Ewell's Division halts near Stanardsville to await further orders from Jackson.

30 April 1862, Wednesday
Taylor's Brigade crosses through Swift Run Gap during thunderstorm and encamps in the evening near Conrad's Store on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Ewell discovers that Jackson had marched towards McDowell before their arrival leaving orders for the division to prevent Union advances against Staunton.

 4 May 1862, Sunday
Skirmish at "Slabtown", Virginia (RB)

or

7 May 1862, Wednesday
Action at SOMERVILLE HEIGHTS.
Commander:
Killed or mortally wounded: 2
Wounded: 4
Missing: 0
Deserted: 1

Two companies of Wheat's Battalion, two companies of cavalry, and one gun of artillery skirmish against five companies of the Thirteenth Indiana Infantry Regiment near Somerville Heights, on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River not far from Honeyville. The Confederates are pushed through back through Somerville to Dogtown. The Seventh Louisiana Infantry Regiment arrives and pushes back the Thirteenth Indiana and members of the First Vermont Cavalry Regiment.
 

Part 5: May to June 1862

17 May 1862, Saturday
Union forces under Shields leave the Valley and marches towards Fredericksburg. Jackson receives order to prevent them from reinforcing McClelland's army. Ewell received orders to join Jackson at New Market.

18 May 1862, Sunday
Ewell's Division prepares for the coming campaign.

19 May 1862, Monday
Orders arrive for Taylor's Brigade to detach from Ewell's Division and join Jackson at New Market by way of the Massanutten Mountains along the Keasletown Road to Valley Pike.

20 May 1862, Tuesday
Taylor's Brigade marches through fair weather to New Market, encamping just south of the town. The Louisianans march into town in perfect order, the brigade band playing "Listen to the Mockingbird", where they are greeted by the Virginians. The Brigade encamps between New Market and Mossy Creek. Taylor reports to Jackson for the first time.

21 May 1862, Wednesday
Taylor's Brigade assembled on the Valley Pike to march north towards New Market, east toward Massanutten Mountains, and through the pass back to Luray. The Brigade is reunited with Ewell's Division.

22 May 1862, Thursday
Jackson's army marches (with the Louisiana Brigade setting the pace after the 1st Maryland Regiment) toward Front Royal by way of New Market and Luray. Wheat's Tigers, in the vanguard, sets a killing pace for the rest of the army.

23 May 1862, Friday
BATTLE OF FRONT ROYAL
Commander: Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat
Killed or mortally wounded: 1
Wounded: 6 [including 1 officer]
Captured or missing: 0

Jackson's army marches at dawn and toward to the right to Gooney Manor Road. The vanguard drives in Federal pickets within 1-1/2 miles of Front Royal around 2 P.M. The First Maryland Infantry Regiment, supported by Wheat's Battalion, the Sixth Louisiana Infantry (as reserve) and the balance of Taylor's Brigade drive the Federal troop through the town. Union troops reform on a height to the right of the turnpike and open fire with rifled artillery as the Confederates emerge from the town. Wheat's Battalion form along the bank of the Shenandoah, in a position sheltered from Federal artillery, with the Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Louisiana advancing in parallel lines to the southwest of the town. Some of the Tigers attempt to loot the enemy's former camp, much to General Jackson's disgust.

Jackson approves General Richard Taylor suggestion that his brigade travel down river to cross at the railroad bridge. Crutchfield's artillery opens fire on Federal positions. The Sixth Louisiana moves against the Federals on the left while Wheat's Battalion and the First Maryland Infantry Regiment drive them across the both forks of the Shenandoah. The Federals attempt to burn the bridge over the North Fork. The Eighth Louisiana is the first to gain the opposite shore over the burning bridge, followed by the rest of the brigade. Union troops are routed and flee without their artillery pieces. The chase ends as night falls.

24 May 1862, Saturday
Some members of the Tiger Rifles don captured Union uniforms and borrow a train for a trip to Markham. There they offer some Federal troops a ride to the front. The Tigers take their guest to Front Royal as prisoners.

Ewell's Division marches toward Winchester along the Front Royal and Winchester Turnpike at 6:00 A. M. Jackson halts the column at 8 miles. Elzey and Taylor's brigades are detached to march with Jackson along the road from Strasburg to Winchester. At midday, a heavy column of smoke rose from the town. Taylor's Brigade turns left to the road towards Middleburg to intercept Banks' retreat. Taylor is ordered to march with Jackson, Ashby's cavalry, and a battery of artillery. Wheat's Tigers are directed to keep close to the gun of the Rockbridge Artillery. The march takes three hours. At about 3:00 p.m., Jackson reaches a crest north of Middletown overlooking the Valley Pike.

BATTLE OF MIDDLETOWN
Commander: Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat
Killed or mortally wounded: 0
Wounded: 0
Captured or missing: 0

Jackson's army marches toward Middle and arrives there to find the Valley turnpike crowded with retreating Federal cavalry and smoke rolling up from burning warehouses in town. Taylor's Brigade head to the front at the "double". The Eighth Louisiana, followed by Wheat's Battalion and Chew's Battery sharpshooters in support, marches past the guns of the Rockbridge Artillery toward the Union line behind a stone wall.

At 4:00 p.m., Jackson takes Wheat's Tigers, part of the 7th Louisiana, and Ashby's cavalry north to clean up what he believes to be a column of Federals. The balance of Taylor's Brigade later catches up with Jackson in pursuit of the enemy's rearguard of their way towards Winchester. The Tigers march to past midnight to rejoin main army and encamp by the Turnpike four miles from Winchester.

25 May 1862, Sunday
Jackson's army marches toward Winchester at daybreak and is met by heavy fog around the town.

BATTLE OF WINCHESTER
Commander: Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat
Killed or mortally wounded: 0
Wounded: 0
Captured or missing: 0

Shortly after dawn, Jackson's army approaches Winchester to find Union skirmishers occupying a hill southwest of the town. He orders Taylor to the left to check Union infantry. The Louisiana Brigade leaves the turnpike and forms his line in the face of heavy artillery and infantry fire. The Tenth Virginia Infantry takes a position on the left and the Twenty-third Virginia on the right. Wheat's Battalion is stationed on the extreme left of the line. The Union cavalry attacks and Kid Douglas is sent by Jackson to locate Taylor with orders to bring the brigade forward at "double quick." Jackson orders Taylor to charge the battery.

Around 7:30 a.m., Taylor orders the Eighth Louisiana to delay the cavalry. Wheat sweeps a little further to the left to threaten the enemy's flank. Halfway up the hill, Taylor orders the brigade to charge. Jackson orders the balance of his army forward. Ewell's Division arrives along the Front Royal road and attack Bank's left flank. By 9:00 a.m., the Union army is pushed out of Winchester. Taylor's Brigade pursues the enemy north of the town. Jackson's artillery and infantry press forward for about two hours before he calls for a halt and orders the men to camp.

27 May 1862, Tuesday
General Jackson issues General Order No. 54 requesting General Ewell to report on pillaging by members of Taylor's Brigade.

28 May 1862, Wednesday
Jackson sets out north in the morning in a feigned invasion of Maryland and Washington by way of Charlestown.

29 May 1862, Thursday
Taylor's Brigade with Ashby's cavalry is sent several miles east towards Strasburg as decoys against Shields's Division. The main body of the army took position near Halltown.

30 May 1862, Friday
Federal units of Shields and Fremont closing the "trap" as Jackson's army races for Strasburg. Fighting is reported between Winchester Front Royal. Federal Brigadier General Nathan Kimball reports members of Wheat's Battalion among the prisoners.

31 May 1862, Saturday
Taylor receives order to depart for Strasburg with a brief stop at Winchester to evacuate the wounded. The Brigade marches more than 30 miles and arrived at Strasburg in the evening. Jackson orders Taylor to rejoin Ewell's Division to cut off Shields' army.

1 June 1862, Sunday
Action near MOUNT CARMEL
Taylor's Brigade rejoins Ewell's Division west of Strasburg around dusk and marched west along the Valley Pike south of town to Mount Carmel to hold Fremont. The Brigade is ordered several hundred yards west of the pike to protect withdrawing Confederate columns. Taylor volunteers to take brigade to the far right to search out enemy's position. The Federals withdraw after some fire by the 7th Louisiana. Taylor finally marches to rejoin Jackson when Union artillery is brought up.

2 June 1862, Monday
Stall Brigade relieves Taylor's Brigade shortly after dawn, but the Louisianans stay close by. Jackson's army retreats all day through a rain storm.

3 June 1862, Tuesday
Jackson's army crosses the bridge at the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and camps near Mount Jackson for 36 hours.

4 June 1862, Wednesday
Jackson issues orders to General Ewell to have two-days rations cooked in preparation for the June 6. He also orders an issue of ammunition.

5 June 1862, Thursday
Jackson's army passes through Harrisonburg and turns east toward Port Republic. Taylor's Brigade camps four mile outside of Harrisonburg near the road to Port Republic that night in the continuing rainstorm.

6 June 1862, Friday
Jackson establishes headquarters outside Port Republic near the junction of the Middle Branch and the South Branch and Ewell's Brigade encamps north of the town. Fremont occupies Harrisonburg in the afternoon, but General Bayard advances against the Federal position with the support of Ashby.

7 June 1862, Saturday
Jackson moves to a position near Cross Keys, seven miles from Port Republic. He divides his army and leaves Ewell's Division at the hamlet while marching the rest of his army towards Port Republic.

8 June 1862, Sunday
BATTLE OF CROSS KEY
Commander: Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat
Killed or mortally wounded: 0
Wounded: 0
Captured or missing: 0

Jackson attacks Fremont with Ewell's Division. Taylor's Brigade is originally ordered to aid Jackson at Port Republic but are ordered back to Ewell after marching two miles. Taylor's Brigade (the Seventh and Eighth Louisiana are left with Ewell) is ordered to stand by General Trimble's Georgia Brigade and await orders to march, but the Sixth Louisiana loots the Union dead. Ewell hesitates in advancing and night falls before he can attack. The Tigers encamps near Dunkard Church at South River in the late afternoon.

9 June 1862, Monday
BATTLE OF PORT REPUBLIC
Commander: Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat
Killed or mortally wounded: 2
Wounded: 19 [including 5 officers]
Captured or missing: 0

Louisiana Brigade crosses North and South Rivers (Wheat's Battalion third after the Eighth and Ninth Louisiana) across the Port Republic Bridge in at sunrise and halts on the other side for breakfast. Firing is heard and the Brigade detours slowly to the right to check on the enemy's battery and is fired upon by a six-gun battery near the Blue Ridge. Taylor is asked to silence the pieces. The Eighth and Ninth Louisiana, Wheat's Battalion (to the left of the Ninth), and Sixth Louisiana are ordered forward across a heavily wooded hillside beyond Little Deep Run and across Lewiston's coaling, with the rest of the Brigade (minus the Seventh Louisiana) at their heels. After a volley, the line moves forward across the across the ravine, all formation lost over the rough ground, overwhelming the Federal guns. As the Confederates celebrate, the Federal sharpshooters open fire on them. Then Clark Battery opens fire with canisters.

Taylor's Brigade charges the battery and is repulsed three times. Major Wheat cuts the throats of horses or shoots them to prevent the Union artillery from withdrawing with their guns. Poague and Chew's batteries fires upon Union troops moving through the woods against Taylor's left, causing them to fall back. Federal troops withdraw with only one gun when Ewell's Division arrives. Lieutenant Dushane, quartermaster of Wheat's Battalion, later recovers an abandoned Howitzer in the woods near Brown's Gap. Jackson moves his army through a rainstorm into the Blue Ridge towards Brown's Gap in the evening to a safe camp.

11 June 1862
Brown's Gap, Virginia. Letter of resignation by Captain Henry C. Gardiner dated for this day. First Lieutenant Thaddeus A. Ripley becomes commander of the Delta Rangers. (RB)
 

12 June 1862, Thursday
Jackson marches his army crosses over the South River to within a few miles southwest of Port Republic. The Louisiana Brigade encamps near Weyer's Cave where the soldiers have a bath, food, clean clothes, and five days of rest.

Part 6: June to August 1862

16 June 1862, Monday
Jackson receives orders to join the Army of Northern Virginia.

18 June 1862, Wednesday
Ewell's Division departs to rejoins the Army of Northern Virginia, marching south to Waynesboro and along the Virginia Central Railroad, past Charlottesville and Walker's Church (Rives' Farm), and east of Gordonsville toward Louisa Court House.

19 June 1862, Thursday
President Jefferson Davis responds to General Taylor by supporting Taylor's suggestion to raise Wheat's Battalion to regiment strength.

23 June 1862, Monday
Ewell's Division marches to past Beaver Dam, about 5 miles short of Ashland.

24 June 1862, Tuesday
Wheat's Battalion reaches and encamps at Ashland, 12 miles north of Richmond. General Taylor is stricken by a severe attack of rheumatism. Colonel Isaac Seymour is place in temporary command of the Louisiana Brigade.

25 June 1862, Wednesday
Taylor's Brigade marches 21 miles by way of Ashcake Road, Mechanicsville Turnpike, and Shady Grove Church Road to encamp at Pole Green Church near Hundley's Corner, beyond the Chickahominy.

26 June 1862, Thursday
Taylor's Brigade camps on the north side of Beaver Dam Creek near Mechanicsville at Hundley's Corner, spending a restless night near enemy lines. The entire brigade is turned out at around midnight due to the sound of two horses fighting.

27 June 1862, Friday
BATTLE OF GAINES' MILL
Commanders:
1) Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat (killed)
2) Captain Robert A. Harris

Killed or mortally wounded: 6 (including Wheat and 2 other officers)
Wounded: 16
Captured or missing: 0

Major Wheat has a premonition of his own death and spends part of the morning reading passages from "Morning and Night Watches" and talking about death with Colonel Leroy Stafford and Major David Boyd.

Ewell's Division marches out at 8:00 a.m. at the vanguard of Jackson's Division along the Telegraph Road and Old Cold Harbor Road. They take a wrong turn on a small road toward New Cold Harbor to find the way blocked at Powhite Creek and returned back to the Old Cold Harbor Road to Old Cold Harbor. Taylor's Brigade cautiously occupies an abandoned federal camp. The Louisianans are then ordered to occupy the left of line with Ewell along Boatswain's Swamp near Old Cold Harbor. Wheat sees Jackson at head of line before the attack.

Somewhat after 2 p.m., the left is ordered forward against Union troops on a hill across the swamp. Ewell sends in Taylor's Brigade before the rest of the division is fully deployed. The Tigers trot through knee deep waters to the base of hill where they are met by a hail of bullets. Seymour is killed and the confused Louisianans bog down at the base of the hill or fall back. Wheat, angered by his Tigers falling back, pushes forward through the brush to within forty yards of the Union line and is instantly killed by a bullet through the eye. The Louisiana Brigade retreats with the deaths of Seymour and Wheat. The brigades of Generals John Hood and Evander Law arrive in the late afternoon and press the Union line, causing the Federals to retreat.

28 June 1862, Saturday
In the early morning, Major Wheat is hurriedly buried by his friends Major David Boyd, Quartermaster Captain Sam Dushane, and some Tigers. Buried on either side of Wheat are the bodies of Lieutenants Foley and Pittman.

At around 10 a.m., Ewell's Division marched in the direction of Dispatch Station (near the York River Railway crossing of the Chickahominy River) arriving shortly after noon to find a large pile of bacon torched by Stuart's cavalry. Taylor's Brigade is posted at Bottom's Bridge, on the Chickahominy, to guard against attacking Union cavalry. General Robert Lee informs Taylor that he must remain behind to protect the bridge and nearby railroad bridge until Sunday evening and then follow Jackson.

29 June 1862, Sunday
Taylor awakes to find that Union troops had destroyed the center of the Grapevine Bridge during the night. Jackson's departure is delayed rebuilding the bridge during the morning. Taylor's Brigade crosses the Grapevine Bridge that night during a heavy rainstorm and camps on the southern bank of the Chickahominy.

30 June 1862, Monday
Morning is clear and Ewell's Division marches out and arrives at Savage Station around 10:00 a.m. The Division catches up with Jackson around noon near White Oak Swamp.

1 July 1862, Tuesday
BATTLE OF MALVERN HILL
Commander: Captain Robert Harris
Killed or mortally wounded: 0
Wounded: 2
Captured or missing: 0

Ewell's Division marches out for Malvern Hill before dawn, past Frayser's Farm, onto the Willis Church Road, and occupies the Confederate left at Malvern Hill upon its arrival. Taylor's Brigade is separated from Ewell and ordered forward to connect with Whiting and D. H. Hill as reserves near Willis Church Road (Quaker Road) and Western Run. Hill is ordered forward around 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., but Ewell stays behind due to lack of orders. An unknown officer arrives at dusk with orders for the Brigade to charge a Federal battery. Though it is full night, the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Louisiana Regiments advance as ordered, but the Ninth does not. The Brigade withdraws and regroups after some valuable lives are lost.

2? July 1862, Wednesday
Ewell's Division camps 6 miles from Charles City Court House

4 July 1862, Friday
Ewell find Union troops at Harrison's Landing on the James River. The Division is deployed with the Thirteenth Virginia, but Jackson halts the fight.

8 July 1862, Tuesday
Ewell's Division leaves Harrison's Landing and marches toward Richmond.

10 July 1862, Thursday
Ewell's Division encamps on Strawberry Hill near the Meadow Bridge on the Davenport's Farm near the Virginia Central Railroad and north of Richmond.

17 July 1862 Thursday
Ewell's Division set out by train on the Virginia Central Railroad toward Hanover Junction.

20 July 1862, Sunday
Ewell's Division arrives in Gordonsville and continues onto Liberty Mill near the Rapidan River.

25 July 1862, Friday
President Jefferson Davis comments to General Robert E. Lee upon General Taylor's recommendation on disbanding Wheat's Battalion, transferring the men to other units, as well as disbanding the battalion's officers except Captain Atkins. General Robert E. Lee replies concerning organization of Taylor's Brigade and recommends placement of Wheat's Battalion under Atkins.

26 July 1862, Saturday
Command of the newly-formed First Louisiana Brigade in placed under the newly promoted General Harry Hays. As Hays is still recovering from wounds received at Port Republic, command of the Brigade is placed under Colonel Henry Forno (Fifth Louisiana Infantry Regiment). General Taylor is directed to take command of the Second Louisiana Brigade.

31 July 1862, Thursday
Ewell's Division reported camped near Gordonsville.

7 August 1862, Thursday
Hayes' Brigade marches out at night though Gordonsville and across the Rapidan River with part of Ewell's Division and stops for a rest in the afternoon. The march is resumed at sunset.

8 August 1862, Friday
The Division reaches Barnett's Ford around midnight where it meets Union cavalry. Jackson orders the Brigade to camp to allow Winder and Hill to catch up.

9 August 1862, Saturday
Special Order No. 185, the Adjutant and Inspector General Office issued ordering the disbanding of Wheat's Battalion. The surviving members are ordered transferred to other Louisiana regiments in Virginia.

Wheat's Battalion probably present at the BATTLE OF CEDAR MOUNTAIN
Killed or mortally wounded: 0 (Ewell reports Hay's Brigade had zero men killed)
Wounded: ?
Missing: ?

Jackson's Division moves out northward at 7 a.m. toward Slaughter Mountain. After a delay, Ewell's Division is ordered to march along the south branch of Cedar Run towards Culpeper. Around 10:00 a.m., Ewell's Division receives news that of a body of Federal troops and orders Early forward into battle lines. Trimble and Forno (in command of the First Louisiana Brigade) are ordered to halt. Ewell receives orders to take Trimble, Forno, and his artillery to the base of Slaughter's Mountain and arrive at the base of the mountain around 1:00 P.M. Ewell's Division moves forward to the site of the Battle of Cedar Run (or Cedar Mountain) near the end of the battle and is ordered into line at the base of the mountain. Ewell's Division is finally ordered forward with Winder's Division at about 4 p.m. but meet little initial resistance. Federal infantry, under Nathaniel Banks, launches a massive assault against Winder's Division, which buckles after Winder is killed. Ewell's Division is pushed back but holds off Bank's attack. The Federal troops are pushed back at twilight when Hill's Division reinforces Ewell. The Southern lines are drawn back to Slaughter Mountain when word is received that Union reinforcements have arrived on the field.

10 August 1862, Sunday
Jackson sends his troop back to the field to retrieve the wounded, bury the dead, and gather arms.

11 August 1862, Monday
Jackson's army spends the day camped on the field during a cease-fire. In the evening, campfires are built and Jackson quietly retreat across the Rapidan River back to their old campgrounds at Gordonsville.

Ca. 12-15 August 1862 (Tuesday to Friday)
The First Louisiana Special Battalion is disbanded while the Jackson's army is camped near Raccoon Ford on the Rapidan River according to Lieutenant Campbell Brown, an aide to General Richard Ewell. The surviving members are assigned to other units in the Louisiana Brigade. The last rolls for Co. A is dated 18 August 1862 and for Co. C for 19 August 1862.

24 August 1862, Sunday
Private James Cary, a deserter from the Catahoula Guerillas, is injured in a fall while escaping out of a Richmond hotel window. He was brought to Baskerville Hospital with a fractured skull and in a coma.

9 October 1862,
Richmond, Virginia
Lucius Jacques Dupré of Louisiana proposes to the Confederate House of Representatives a resolution questioning the authority of President Jefferson Davis to disband Wheat's Battalion. The resolution is approved by the House.

11 October 1862,
Richmond, Virginia
President Jefferson Davis responds to the resolution of October 9 by transmitting a communication from Secretary of War George W. Randolph stating that the "eleventh article of war authorizes the President to discharge noncommissioned officers and privates before the expiration of their term of service, and also to discharge commissioned officers" and the "The nineteenth article of the Army Regulations, promulgated by order of the President, authorizes the discharge of enlisted men before the expiration of their term of enlistment by the War Department, by a general court-martial, or by the commander of a department, or an army in the field."
 

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES:

http://www.historynet.com/magazines/american_civil_war/3035781.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_Tigers

 

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