Louisiana Brigade "Tigers"

[6thLouisianaTigers]

The mission of the Louisiana Brigade association is to portray the historical Louisiana "Tigers" of the Army of Northern Virginia during the Maryland Campaign, being the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 14th infantry regiments in Hays' (First Louisiana) Brigade and attached D'Aquin's Battery; the 1st, 2nd, 9th, 10th, 15th, and 1st Zouave infantry regiments of Starke's (Second Louisiana) Brigade; and the Louisiana batteries under command of Col. James Walton, which were the Donaldsonville Artillery, Washington Artillery, and Madison Light Artillery.

We welcome all active companies of good reputation representing the historical Louisiana "Tigers"—our muster rolls consist of a wide swath of NA and EU players of various ages and backgrounds, as well as English, French, and Spanish -speaking platoons, which recreates the uniquely rich cultural diversity of the historical Louisiana Brigade.

The Louisiana Brigade was formed as a War of Rights association in March 2016 before falling defunct some months later and ultimately disbanded. On March 21, 2018, the Louisiana Brigade was rechartered by the Co.'s A & B, 6th Louisiana Infantry.

March 21, 2018	Co. A, 6th Louisiana Infantry (Company Tool)
•	Co. B, 6th Louisiana Infantry (Company Tool)
April 30, 2018	Co. D, Coppens (First Louisiana Zouaves) Battalion (Thread / Company Tool)
May 1, 2018	Co. C, 6th Louisiana Infantry (Company Tool)

Maj. Gen. Paioletti, Co's A, B, & C, 6th Louisiana Infantry

Cpt. Shugart, Co. D, Coppens (1st Louisiana Zouaves) Battalion

[6thLouisianaTigers]

TIGERS AT ANTIETAM

Gen. Robert E. Lee's Louisiana "Tigers" were divided between Hays' (First Louisiana) Brigade in Ewell's Division and Starke's (Second Louisiana) Brigade in Jackson's Division. Both brigades were part of "Stonewall" Jackson's Army of the Valley during his legendary campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. There were also three batteries from Louisiana assigned to Longstreet's corps. Louisiana Confederates were popularly known as "Tigers" for their ferocity, not only demonstrated in battle but also in their outrageous camp behavior.

Gen. Harry T. Hays (w)

Hays' (First Louisiana) Brigade 5th Louisiana 6th Louisiana 7th Louisiana 8th Louisiana 14th Louisiana Louisiana Guard Artillery

Gen. William E. Starke (k)

Starke's (Second Louisiana) Brigade 1st Louisiana 2nd Louisiana 9th Louisiana 10th Louisiana 15th Louisiana First Louisiana Zouaves

Col. James Walton

Anderson's Division & Longstreet's Reserve Donaldsonville Artillery Washington Artillery Madison Light Artillery

After a month of nonstop fighting and two weeks of hard marching, both brigades of "foot cavalry" were hungry, exhausted, and largely barefooted when they captured Harpers Ferry. Success was not rewarded with respite. Orders were received to march immediately from Harpers Ferry to Sharpsburg where it was expected a major battle was about to begin.

Father Sheeran of the Louisiana Brigade wrote in his diary on the march, "The countryside was literally crowded with stragglers." An officer of the Sixth Louisiana wrote, "We had only one hundred and ten men in the regiment to go into action with eleven officers...I hope [Gen. Hays] will inaugurate some system to keep our men in the ranks...[but]...I am completely tired out with our constant marching." In another letter, he vents, "Since the 1st Sept., after having fought every day for ten days we have made a circuit through western Maryland and are now here almost where we started from. It is too much as the state of our ranks show, and if Jackson keeps on at it, there will soon be no army for him to command. I have only 11 men for duty now out of 112 four months ago, and I am most confoundeldy disgusted at the idea of all the time being captain of a corporal's guard."

As the Tigers encamped behind Antietam Creek, Starke's Brigade west of the Hagerstown Pike and Hays' Brigade to the east, both brigades were alarmingly under-strength. The best estimates suggest that each "brigade" numbered only about six hundred men, largely on account of straggling.

Being so depleted made it possible for the Louisiana "Tigers" to "plug in the gaps" as the Battle of Antietam began. Starke's "Tigers" were deployed along the fencerails of Hagerstown Pike with the West Woods to their back. This proved to be an impossible position for the Confederates to hold, particularly after Gen. Starke was killed and the command of his brigade devolved upon Col. L. A. Stafford of the 9th Louisiana. Across the way, less than six hundred "Tigers" followed Gen. Hays into Miller's Cornfield. Less than half an hour later, less than fifty rallied around the colors at Dunker Church to the rear. Every staff officer and regimental commander had been shot down.

[Leifr]

Nice.

[Hinkel]

Looking great. Forward Tigers

[Saris]

Welcome to the Confederacy!

[Captain Shamama]

Congrats!

[6thLouisianaTigers]

We are pleased to announce that Coppens (First Louisiana Zouaves) Battalion, Company D has joined the Louisiana Brigade!

[A. P. Hill]

Congrats.

[PAIOLETTI]

Firstly, i would like to thank our amazing developer Hinkel, Chaplain Bradley of the 6th Louisiana Tigers and all else who helped make this possible, and happen earlier than scheduled. I appreciate and take to heart the honor of commanding the Louisiana Tigers Brigade. All Louisiana companies within the Community are welcome to join and i would like to personally thank the 1st Louisiana Zouaves D Company for joining the Brigade.

[R. Shughart]

Firstly, i would like to thank our amazing developer Hinkel, Chaplain Bradley of the 6th Louisiana Tigers and all else who helped make this possible, and happen earlier than scheduled. I appreciate and take to heart the honor of commanding the Louisiana Tigers Brigade. All Louisiana companies within the Community are welcome to join and i would like to personally thank the 1st Louisiana Zouaves D Company for joining the Brigade.

Thank you for your warm welcome and your kindness.

I hope we will soon be able to co-operate on the battlefield!