This page is for descendants of men who served in Harrison’s Cavalry Battalion, initially known as the 15th Louisiana Cavalry Battalion. This unit organized in Monroe, Louisiana, just five days after President Lincoln’s Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation was issued in the fall of 1862. The battalion later grew to a regiment, later known as the 3rd Louisiana Cavalry Regiment. Most of the men in this unit came from the general area of northeast Louisiana, in the region where the Milliken’s Bend fight took place. Undoubtedly they saw themselves as defending their homes and families in a very personal way.
My great grandfather, Mark Valentine, served in Co E 3rd LA Cavalry, was captured early and sent to prison in Illinois. Afterward, he was transferred and exchanged at City Point, VA, later in the war. I do not know if he was able to take place in the battle at Milliken’s Bend.
Thanks for this information, Robert. I can’t answer about whether or not he was present at Milliken’s Bend, but I can tell you that the planter Mark Valentine (I’m sure he must be the father of your man) does appear in my story about Milliken’s Bend, and I make reference to his diary, now housed at Tulane. I posted briefly about that in an older post.