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The Confederate Memorial Hall Museum is located in New Orleans and claims to be Louisiana's Oldest Museum. It is the second largest Museum specializing in the American Civil War in the world. The American Civil War Museum in Richmond, Virginia, is the largest. The Confederate Memorial Hall contains over 5,000 historical artifacts including many rare Civil War items. There are over 140 regimental and other CSA flags in the collection of Memorial Hall, naturally many of which are from Louisiana regiments.
Sources: Memorial Museum website and Wikipedia: Confederate Memorial Hall Museum.
Pete Loeser, 16 August 2023
The practice of carrying colors, standards, flags, or guidons to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander dates as far back as Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. They were common in the armies of Europe in the Middle Ages, with standards being emblazoned with the commander's coat of arms. As armies became trained and adopted set formations, each regiment's ability to keep its formation was potentially critical to its success in battle. In the age of line tactics, the unit colors were an important rallying point for infantry soldiers. In the chaos of battle, due to the amount of dust and later smoke on a battlefield, soldiers and commanders needed to be able to determine where their soldiers and units were.
Historians have debated whether any evolution of infantry tactics between 1861 and 1865 took place to any extent. The commanders stubbornly continued to use the tactics of the Napoleonic Wars and deployed their armies in linear formations and favored open fields over the usage of cover. This resulted in greater casualties and saw the increasing usage of trench defensive warfare. The billowing clouds of smoke created from firing black powder weapons could become so thick as to reduce visibility to "less than fifty paces." The practice of organizing soldiers into ranks and files in order to form regiments into a line of battle or column over a large area continued to make unit colors a necessity. Battles like Gettysburg should have demonstrated the need for change but that remained something not accepted for another 90 years.
There were six (or more) different basic design styles of Confederate Army Military Flags. As the flex and flow of military necessity effected the organization and reorganization of Confederate forces, so did the designs of their flags. A couple of examples of this would be in the Vicksburg Defense a subgroup of flags came into being that featured white crosses instead of blue, in Missouri and Louisiana a design subgroup with a Christian Cross design became popular. Faced with this we will divide them into groups. Some of these groups will be the Stars and Bars Pattern, the St. Andrews Cross Pattern (Southern Cross with a white flag border), the Army of Tennessee Pattern (Southern Cross without a white flag border), the Van Dorn Pattern, the Hardee Pattern, and the Polk Pattern. The last three are named for the Confederate Commanders who first designed (or had designed) the basic Regimental flag design to be used by the units under their command.
Pete Loeser, revised 28 August 2023
![[Orleans Guard Battalion flag (CSA]](../images/u/us-csa^or-grd.gif)
image by Pete Loeser, 16 August 2023
Based on this photo.
This flag is in the Confederate Museum in New Orleans. According to the museum: "This flag was carried by the men of the Orleans Guard Battalion at the Battle of Shiloh, April 1862. From the collection of over 100 Battle Flags housed at Memorial Hall in New Orleans." (Museum Post Card)
This battalion was mustered into Confederate service for ninety days in New Orleans in 1862. The battalion went to Corinth, Mississippi, to reinforce the army of General Pierre Beauregard. The battalion participated in the Battle of Shiloh and lost heavily. At one point, other Confederate soldiers fired on the battalion, mistaking the men for Federals because of their blue uniforms. The battalion fell back to Corinth and in June the short-lived volunteer battalion was disbanded.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection, Arms & Equipment in the Civil War , and National Park Service: Orleans Guards Regiment, Louisiana Militia.
Pete Loeser, 6 August 1999
![[Van Dorn Pattern Flag (CSA]](../images/u/us-csa^cobt.gif)
image by Pete Loeser, 16 August 2023
Based on this photo.
This Van Dorn Pattern Flag was used by Cowan's Mississippi Battery (First Mississippi, Company G) and is from the Confederate battle flag collection at Memorial Hall, New Orleans. The flag style named for Confederate General Earl Van Dorn. This flag was known to be had carried into battle by John B. McQuade. (source)
Confederates named their batteries rather than numbering them, and so Company G became known as Cowan's Mississippi Battery, named after its first commander, James J. Cowan, a Vicksburg merchant. G Company served in the Vicksburg area until 1863 as part of the Vicksburg campaign and fought in the Battle of Nashville and the Battle of Champion Hill to name a few.
Sources: AccessGenealogy: 1st Mississippi Light Artillery and Battle of Nashville Trust.
Pete Loeser, 16 August 2023
![[Louisiana Secession Flag (CSA]](../images/u/us-csa-louis.gif)
image by Pete Loeser, 16 August 2023
Based on this photo.
Louisiana would become the sixth slave state to declare that it was seceding from the Union. "Louisiana seceded from the United States January 26, 1861, but did not join the Confederacy of the other seceded states until March 21, 1861. During that ensuing period, the state functioned as an independent republic under this flag.
Source: Confederate Museum Collection.
Pete Loeser, 17 August 2023
![[Louisiana Secession Flag (CSA]](../images/u/us^6laic.gif)
image by Rob Raeside, 17 August 2023
Based on this photo.
The Sixth Louisiana (Orleans Rifles) flag embroidered with the inscription "Let Us Alone, Trust in God" follows the First National Pattern, or "Stars and Bars" Pattern, and is one of the more outstanding results of the museums flag restoration program.
The 6th Louisiana Infantry Regiment was formed in 1861 and would serve with honor until surrendering after the Battle of Appomattox Court House in 1865. It began its service with 916 men and ended with only 52. Its battle honors include the Battle of Gaines Mill, the Second Battle of Bull Run, the Battle of Antietam, the Second Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Salem Church, the Second Battle of Winchester, the Battle of Gettysburg, the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station, the Valley campaigns of 1864, the Battle of Hatcher's Run, and the Battle of Fort Stedman. An amazing record.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection and Wikipedia: 6th Louisiana Infantry Regiment.
Pete Loeser, 17 August 2023
![[5th Company, Washington Artillery Flag (CSA]](../images/u/us^5cwaa.gif)
image by Rob Raeside, 17 August 2023
Based on this photo.
The CSA Washington Artillery Battalion was formed in May of 1861 as a Battalion of four companies under the command of Colonel James B. Walton. By July 21, a 5th Company had been added under the command of Lieutenant Charles W. Squires. The 5th Command had three 36 pounder guns, dating from 1841, and two 6 pounder Rifle-cannons. They would see action in the eastern campaigns at the major Battles of Sharpsburg (Antietam) and Gettysburg. Later they saw action in the western theater.
The Fifth Company Flag battle flag was a Hardee Pattern flag with the honors of the battles of Murfreesboro, Farmington, Perryville, and Shiloh. By November of 1864 Captain Squires had been promoted to Major and was serving in the Western Theater in command of his battalion of Artillery. One story is they refused to surrender at wars' end and buried all the cannons.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection and Washington Artillery (Louisiana).
Pete Loeser, 17 August 2023
As far as the 5th Company flags, all three of their flags are accounted for. The 1st flag, the silk flag [ANV pattern] given to Beauregard at Manassas [which] he later gave to the 5th Company. They carried it until after Shiloh. At that point, they were assigned to Hardee's Corp and they started using the Hardee flag. After Missionary Ridge, they were issued a 2nd National (stainless banner) and carried that through out the rest of the war. The silk flag and the 2nd National are at the State Museum in LA. The Hardee flag is at Memorial Hall in New Oreans.
Source: Civil War Talk.
David B. Martucci 18 August 2023
![[ (CSA]](../images/u/us^10lai.gif)
image by Rob Raeside, 21 August 2023
Based on this photo.
The 10 Louisiana Regiment was known as the "Tigers," or "Tigar Rifles." The Battle honors inscriptions on their battle flag are: Williamsburg, Malvern Hill, Cedar Run (top); Masassas No. 2, Sharpsburg (left Dexter); Frederickburg, Chancellosville (right Sinister); Winchester No. 2, Gettysburg (bottom). This particular flag of the 10th Louisiana Infantry was captured after the Battle of Gettysburg and then return by the Grand Army of the Republic on May 11, 1925, by order of President Teddy Roosevelt.
The origin of the term "Tiger Rifles" began with a volunteer company raised in the New Orleans as part of Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat's infamous 1st Special Battalion. Somewhat remembered for drunken brawls and acts of insubordination, they had a reputation as fearless, hard-fighting shock troops. Eventually the nickname expanded to a battalion, then to a brigade, and eventually to all Louisiana troops within the Army of Northern Virginia. A large number of the original troops were Irish Americans recruited from the city's docks, and many had previous military experience in local militia units. The majority were foreign-born.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection and Wikipedia: Louisiana Tigers.
Pete Loeser, 21 August 2023
![[ (CSA]](../images/u/us^22lai-l.gif)
image by Rob Raeside, 21 August 2023
Based on this photo.
The 22nd Louisiana Infantry Regiment formed in April of 1862 in New Orleans and served on the Western Theater of the American Civil War. The men trained as gunners for heavy artillery and the regiment was split up to garrison various forts. Two companies were assigned to hold Fort Jackson, fought in the Defense of Fort Jackson, and surrendered afterward. One company made a futile defense during the Capture of New Orleans. The regiment reorganized at Camp Moore and traveled to Vicksburg, Mississippi, to participate in its defense. The unit was renamed the 21st Louisiana Infantry Regiment in January 1863. Elements of the regiment assisted in the repulse of the Yazoo Pass expedition. The soldiers served at the Siege of Vicksburg, surrendered when the city fell, and afterward reported to a parole camp. In January 1864, the 22nd Consolidated Louisiana Infantry Regiment was reconstituted with 780 men from seven different Louisiana units that had surrendered at Vicksburg. The unit was ordered to Mobile, Alabama, where four companies fought at Spanish Fort in March and April 1865. The regiment surrendered in May 1865.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection and Wikipedia: 22nd Louisiana Infantry Regiment.
Pete Loeser, 21 August 2023
![[ (CSA]](../images/u/us^14lai-aust.gif)
image by Rob Raeside, 21 August 2023
Reverse side (Sinister) - Based on this photo.
The flag of Austin's Sharpshooters had several bullet holes, shell holes, splits and tears when acquired by the Confederate Museum of New Orleans. The Unit designation (Austin's Batt) and their Battle honors appear on the sinister side (back) of the flag. Included are the crossed cannon device below the canton with variant ANV battle flag and the inscriptions of "Shiloh.", "Belmont.", "Chickamauga.", "Farmington.", "Perryville.", and "Murfreesboro" on the fly.
The three companies of the 14th Battalion Sharpshooters were organized during the late summer of 1862 under the command of Major John E. Austin. The unit first saw action at Perryville, then was assigned to D.W. Adams' and Gibson's Brigade in the Army of Tennessee. They fought the series of battles between Murfreesboro and Nashville, at Chickamauga, and took part in the defense of Mobile. When the regiment surrendered on May 4, 1865 there were only 25 men left.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection and National Park Service: The Civil War.
Pete Loeser, 21 August 2023
![[ (CSA]](../images/u/us^14lai.gif)
image by Pete Loeser, 22 August 2023
Based on this photo.
The Confederate Veteran Magazine 1899, Volume 7, 255 stated this... "Flag was carried in [the] Grand Procession at Charleston U.C.V. Reunion. 11 men were shot while carrying it in Battle." according to the Confederate Museum description of the flag.
The 14th Louisiana Infantry Regiment was recruited in Louisiana in June of 1861 as the 1st Regiment, Polish Brigade, later renamed the 13th Regiment. After being sent to fight in the Eastern Theater it was again renamed, this time as the 14th Regiment. It fought at Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Beaver Dam Creek, Gaines' Mill and at the Glendale "Slaughterhouse" where the Polish Brigade suffered severe casualties.
After the Battle of Glendale the remaining regiment was assigned to the 1st Louisiana Brigade, where they fought at Cedar Mountain, Second Bull Run, and Antietam. Once again they were reassigned this time to the 2nd Louisiana Brigade, they served at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Second Winchester, Gettysburg, Mine Run and the Wilderness. At the Battle of Spotsylvania most of the regiment's soldiers were captured. What little remained fought at Cold Harbor, Monocacy, Third Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and Petersburg in 1864. The last few survivors surrendered at Appomattox in 1865.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection and Wikipedia: 14th Louisiana Infantry Regiment.
Pete Loeser, 21 August 2023
![[Crescent Regiment (CSA]](../images/u/us^csa-coa.gif)
image by Rob Raeside, 22 August 2023
Based on this photo.
The 24th Louisiana Infantry Regiment was a volunteer state militia unit that was transferred to Confederate service in March of 1862 in New Orleans. It was then merged with the existing 11th and 12th Louisiana Infantry Battalions, being renamed the Consolidated Crescent Regiment. The Consolidated Crescent Regiment fought at the Battles of Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and Yellow Bayou in April and May 1864. During this time the regiment lost all of its field officers and had 175 casualties. The regiment spent the rest of the war in fighting in Arkansas and Louisiana before disbanding in May of 1865.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection and Wikipedia: 24th Louisiana Infantry Regiment.
Pete Loeser, 21 August 2023
![[ Regiment (CSA]](../images/u/us^hillier.gif)
image by Rob Raeside, 23 August 2023
Based on this photo.
Hilliard's Legion or Hilliard's Alabama Legion was very different from most Civil War formations. It was almost a modern combined arms force, with infantry, cavalry and artillery components. In Montgomery, Alabama, in June of 1862 Colonel Henry Washington Hilliard was authorized to raise this unusual command. It consist of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions (infantry), 4th Battalion (artillery) and 5th Battalion (cavalry). It totaled 3000 men. Apparently the idea of a combined force was just too foreign to the Confederate command staff, because eventually the cavalry and artillery battalions were detached to the separate commands of the 10th Confederate Cavalry Regiment and the Barbour Light Artillery. The Legion was sent to eastern Tennessee to first participate in the successful siege of Cumberland Gap and then to the Battle of Chickamauga. At Chickamauga the Legion suffered heavy looses (almost 45%) and in November of 1863 was disbanded in Charleston, Tennessee. The remaining men were reassigned to other Alabama Regiments.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection and Wikipedia: Hilliard's Legion.
Pete Loeser, 23 August 2023
![[14th New York Metropolitan Cavalry Guidon (US]](../images/u/us^14nymc.gif)
image by Rob Raeside, 23 August 2023
Based on this photo.
This is a standard silk U.S. Cavalry swallow-tail Guidon, post 1862 rendition. A Daily Picayune article from 1905 states that this flag is believed to have belonged to the 14th New York Cavalry, captured at Clinton, Louisiana, when the unit was overrun by Stockdale's Mississippi Cavalry. According to the records of the Confederate Museum the flag was captured by James M. Ferguson, the Adjutant of the 4th Mississippi Cavalry, at the time of the raid.
The 14th New York Metropolitan cavalry was organized at Riker's island in New York city as part of their Metropolitan brigade in 1862. It was chiefly recruited in the counties of New York, Erie and Queens. The battalion had six companies that were mustered into the U. S. service in 1862 and would remain active throughout the war. During that time the 14th took part in about 50 battles and skirmishes. A portion of the regiment was transferred to the 18th cavalry and most were mustered out in May of 1866 at Victoria, Texas.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection and New York State Military Museum: 14th Cavalry Regiment.
Pete Loeser, 23 August 2023
![[ Regiment (CSA]](../images/u/us^11lai.gif)
image by Rob Raeside, 25 August 2023
Based on this photo.
The 11th Louisiana Infantry Regiment fought at Belmont in 1861 and then Island Number Ten, Shiloh, and Corinth in 1862. By the end of this its numbers were seriously reduced and the regiment was disbanded in August of 1862. Its remaining troops were transferred to the 13th Louisiana, the 20th Louisiana Infantry and the 14th Louisiana Sharpshooter Battalion. Major E. G. W. Butler was killed leading his men in a charge at the battle of Belmont.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection and Wikipedia: 11th Louisiana Infantry Regiment.
Pete Loeser, 25 August 2023
![[ Regiment (CSA]](../images/u/us^1fl.gif)
image by Pete Loeser and Rob Raeside, 28 August 2023
Based on this photo.
The 1st Florida Infantry Regiment was raised by the Confederate state of Florida in 1861. Most of the recruits came from the counties of Leon, Alachua, Madison, Jefferson, Jackson, Franklin, Gadsden, and Escambiaida. The regiment totaled about 700 men. It was first unwisely divided into nine companies. They lacked uniforms, enough men, equipment and weapons to fill this large formation. Colonel James Patton Anderson was the first commander of the 1st Florida. In June of 1861, to make matters worse, the regiment was merged with the local Pensacola Guards, who became their tenth company. The regiment was then made part of the Army of Pensacola under command of Brigadier General Sam Jones. Their first action after this was an unsuccessful attempt to capture Fort Pickens, still in Union hands. After that, they were reduced to four companies and placed under the command of Major Thaddeus McDonnell. Thus for a short while they became known as McDonell's 1st Florida Infantry Battalion, only 328 men strong... just in time for the Battle of Shiloh. As they were advancing along the Pittsburgh-Corinth Road the regiment came under heavy fire from Ohio troops and artillery. They lost not their new commander, but also two other officers and 14 enlisted men all killed, plus another additional 57 wounded. This is why the honor "Shiloh" was added to their flag. The 1st Florida Infantry would go on to fight in the Western Theater battles of Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Marietta, Third Murfreesboro, and Bentonville, to name a few. They remained a part of the Army of Tennessee until it surrendered at Bennett Place in April of 1865.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection and Wikipedia: 1st Florida Infantry Regiment.
Pete Loeser, 25 August 2023
![[Dreux's First Louisiana Battalion (CSA]](../images/u/us^1abt.gif)
image by Rob Raeside, 28 August 2023
Based on this photo.
Volunteers forming the 1st Louisiana Infantry Battalion (1st Battalion, Louisiana Volunteers) were usually referred to as the Dreux's Battalion to distinguish it from other units with similar names. They were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Didier Dreux. Upon arrival at Pensacola in May of 1865, they were divided into five companies: The Louisiana Guards (A Company), the Crescent Rifles (B Company), Shreveport Greys (D Company), Grivot Guards (E Company), and Orleans Cadets (F Company). In May of 1861, with their organization and early training complete, they were sent to Virginia to to join the Yorktown garrison. There in a short skirmish, Dreux and another man was killed, making Dreux the first Louisiana officer, and perhaps the first Confederate officer to be killed in the war. After Dreux's death, Major Nicholas H. Rightor succeeded to command and they became the Dreux-Rightor Battalion.
Under Rightor' command the battalion was increased to six companies by merging Company C of the Louisiana Guards into the formation and becoming Company C of the 1st Louisiana Battalion. The six companies of the battalion remained on picket duty in the Virginia Peninsula until April 1862, when the Union Army of the Potomac launched the Peninsula campaign. Strangly enough the 1st Battalion was disbanded in May of 1862 just before Robert E. Lee was given command of the Army of Northern Virginia. Most of the battalion reenlisted, but were sent to different commands.
Sources: Confederate Museum Collection and Wikipedia: 1st Louisiana Battalion.
Pete Loeser, 25 August 2023
