In the early morning darkness of June 6, 1863, around 2a.m., Col. Hermann Lieb took his regiment of new recruits out for a reconnaissance toward the railroad depot, near Tallulah and Richmond, Louisiana. Two companies of the irritable 10th Illinois Cavalry were … Continue reading →
The men of Brig. Gen. Henry McCulloch’s brigade were both nervous and excited. There were Yankees ahead, and the unproven Texans weren’t sure what to expect. They were confident, to be sure – but still, each man wondered – “Will … Continue reading →
The men in the camp of the 10th Illinois Cavalry were in an uproar. Pvt. John O’Brien was being held in the nearby camp of the 1st Mississippi Infantry, African Descent, (a Union unit despite its name). Col. Isaac F. … Continue reading →
On April 14, 1863, Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas announced his appointments for officers for the 9th Louisiana Infantry, African Descent. Despite its name, this was a Union regiment. Officered by whites, the enlisted men would be black, and recruited a … Continue reading →
In early April 1863, Adjutant General of the United States, Lorenzo Thomas, stopped at many of the posts along the Mississippi River and addressed the troops. His mission, authorized by the secretary of war as well as President Lincoln, was … Continue reading →