Our unit is family oriented, and we are dedicated to helping the new recruit get started in one of the greatest and most fun hobbies around! We have lots of equipment and rifles to loan out, and we give the new person joining a little over one full year to get themselves outfitted. We assign one of our members to personally help you out and to help you fit in. You will find no other unit as friendly, or as helpful to beginners, as our own Louisiana Brigade.
Currently, we are one of the largest individual re-enactment unit in California, with over 80 members on our muster roles. Our members range from San Diego County in the south, to Visalia County in the north. Most of our members are located in the Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Ventura Counties. We also have members who live in Utah, New Mexico, and other places, 'back east.'
In 2003 we will attend events in Barstow (Calico Ghost Town), Perris (OERM), Oak Glen (Riley's Farm), Fresno (Kearny Park), San Francisco Bay Area (Ardenwood), and at Fort Tejon State Park. In Southern California our members participate in events sponsored by the Fort Tejon Historical Association (FTHA), War Between the States Historical Association (WBSHA), and American Civil War Society (ACWS). Last year (2002) some of our members traveled east to attend the 140th Anniversary of the Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam to them blue bellies) and to Camp Moore, LA to participate in reenactments in these areas of the US. This year (2003) on to Gettysburg. Rather than just watching others have fun, we go out and participate. We find that this is the sort of excitement that one just can't find at the office! Members can be as active as they wish, making most of our events, or just one a year.
We are currently re-creating two infantry companies and an artillery battery that made up the original brigade. The first of these infantry companies, is Company B (Tiger Rifles) of the This unit represents an early-war (1861-1862) company, with a full complement of equipment, tenting, and other items found in camp. This unit was well known for its distinctive dress. They wore bright red shirts, red fezzes, dark blue jackets, and bloused trousers made from sturdy mattress ticking. Their uniforms show the distinctive influence of French New Orleans, though most of their numbers were actually from Irish workers off the docks and warfs of New Orleans. The battalion was a hard fighting unit, but had a well deserved reputation for being composed of thieves and cut-throats. Their off field chicanery is well documented. They would carry off what they needed, and never seemed to worry about the burden of who was the true rightful owner. Very fierce fighters, whether amongst themselves, or against the Federals, they were one of the more colorful units in the war. Most commanding officers loved to have them on the day of the battle; they just weren't too keen about them the day before or after!
1st Louisiana Special Battalion (A Short History)
1st Special Battalion, or Wheat's Tigers was formed at Camp Walker, near New Orleans, Louisiana, in May 1861, with five companies. Most of the men were military adventurers who were experienced fighters. It moved to Virginia and saw action at first Manassas, then was assigned to Taylor's Brigade and fought in Jackson's Valley Campaign and later the Seven Days Battles. During the summer of 1862 the Battalion disbanded. Its commanders were Majors Robert A. Harris and Chatham R Wheat. For more information on this unit and Company B, click here:
Capt. Alexander White
Commander, Co. B
Our second unit, the 8th Louisiana Regiment, contains two companies. Both of these units are traditionally dressed Confederate units. For the Year 2003 these companies have been consolidated. Once they have been brought up to strength, they will operate as separate companies. Which should occur this year due to increased recruiting.
The first of these companies, Company E, Franklin Sharpshooters, came from a rural area north of Baton Rouge called Franklin Parish. The men, mostly farmers and townsmen, had the same hard fighting qualities as the 1st Louisiana Battalion, without the off-field reputation. This company represents a mid-war (1862-1863) company, with less equipment and tentage than would be found in a camp.
The second of these companies, Company F, Opalossas Guards, hail from Saint Landry Parish, located northwesterly of New Orleans. These men had similar background as those from Franklin Parish. This company represents a late-war (1864-1865) company, with minimal amount of equipment, and generally sleeping out in the weather without any tenting. These men represent the skirmishers and pickets that were used by both armies. This unit is for the younger and thinner member of Confederate Army.
8th Louisiana Infantry (A Short History)
The 8th Infantry Regiment completed its organization at Camp Moore, Louisiana, in June, 1861. Its members were from the Parishes of Ascension, Assumption, Franklin, Saint Martin, Saint Landry, and other parishes. Sent to Virginia, the regiment was were held in reserve during the battle of First Manassas. It fought in Jackson's Valley Campaign and on many battlefields of the Army of Northern Virginia from the Seven Days Battles to Cold Harbor. The 8th went on to participate in Early's operations in the Shenandoah Valley, then shared in various conflicts around Appomattox. It reported 9 killed and 37 wounded at Cross Keys and Port Republic, had 15 killed and 69 wounded during the Seven Days Battles, and sustained 91 casualties in the Maryland Campaign. The unit lost 12 killed and 71 wounded at Chancellorsville and twenty five percent of the 296 engaged at Gettysburg. It had 162 captured at Rappahannock Station. Only 3 officers and 54 men surrendered at Appomattox.
Gen. T. J. "Stonewall" Jackson As members of Stonewall Jackson's famed "foot cavalry", these three companies were renowned for marching long distances and suddenly appearing on the enemy's flanks and rear (where they were least expected). They were able to march with little, if any, stragglers. General Jackson never lost a battle if the men of Taylor's Louisiana Brigade were with him!
Other units recreated by our group include the Louisiana Guards Artillery and the De Soto Parish Ladies Aid Society. The Louisiana Guards Artillery provides additional firepower to the Brigade, bringing one full-size and one 3/4 size artillery piece. The De Soto Parish Ladies Aid Society is made up of wives and friends of unit members and other female members of the Brigade. The Society provides a view as to the activities of Southern women on the home front. This year the Society is sewing a quilt, which will be raffled off and proceeds sent to Camp Moore in Louisiana.
We are proud to be representing these four fine military units, along with the Ladies Aid Society, and would like to encourage others to enjoy the fun of camping, drilling, sitting around the campfire and chasing Yankees back to Washington City. We have geared our programs to appeal to both the single member and entire families. We have numerous fathers and sons along with mothers and daughters participating with us. Fully one-third of our members bring their families with them when reenacting.
One can be as active as he or she chooses, by making only one event a year, or a majority of them. We elect our own officers and noncoms each year, and give everyone a chance to hold rank. We do not charge dues or other membership requirements. We have a brigade newsletter, the "Whitesmoke Journal", which we provide to potential recruits and new members of the unit. We are also well known for helping the new recruit (affectionately known as a "fresh fish") get through that awkward period of adjustment when they first join. We were all new once, and remember how trying it can be the first few events. To receive more information, or to be placed on our mailing list, just give send an e-mail to one of our friendly recruiters!
James Stytle, Cpl., 8th La, Co. E,
Fred Mart, Cpl, 8th La, Co. F,
"You can just read about history, or you can go out and do it for yourself!"
"Taylor's/Hays' Louisiana Brigade" 1st Louisiana Special Battalion, Company B
8th Louisiana Infantry, Company E
8th Louisiana Infantry, Company F
Louisiana Guards Artillery
De Soto Parish Ladies Aid Society (for ladies and other non-combatants)
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