The First Louisiana Engineers was split in two parts becoming the 1st and 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique (95th and 97th U.S.C.T.s).
The 95th was later consolidated with the
87th U.S.C.T. and then consolidated into the 84th U.S.C.T.
"It takes men of more than ordinary courage to engage in such work, without even a revolver or a bayonet to defend themselves against the sallies of any enemy's troops. Nevertheless this Engineer Regiment of the Black Phalanx performed the duty under such trying and perilous circumstances. Many times they went forward at a double-quick to to do duty in the most dangerous place during the engagement [Port Hudson], perhaps to build a redoubt or breastworks behind a brigade, or to blow up a bastion of the enemy's. "They but reminded the looker on." said a correspondent of a western newspaper, "of just so many cattle going to a slaughterhouse." - The Black Phalanx, 1892
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Union Army of the West, Inc.
Living History Events
Our First Louisiana Engineers reenactment group participates in Civil War events throughout Southern California. We are always looking for new members to join our group. We have loaner gear for anyone getting started in the hobby. This website contains several pages devoted to portraying a U.S. Colored Troops soldier as a reenactor/living historian. Those are:
Living History Past Events Upcoming Events Uniform, Accoutrements, etc. Safety Rules |
Historical Research
This site provides a historical reference for any individual doing research on the First Louisiana Engineers (95th & 97th USCTs). We have several pages on this website devoted to the First Louisiana Engineers and the USCT regiments they would become. The pull down menu/tabs at the top of this page will give access to the following pages:
97th USCT 95th USCT Engineers Officers Enlisted Men Pay, Bounties, Draft, Etc. Historical Images of the Regiment Louisa Miller/Fisher Sergeant Peter Gordon, Will Smith, and Emancipation 73rd USCT |
Anthony J. Cade II speaks about African-Americans in Louisiana under French colonial rule up to the outbreak of the American Civil War. He points out their cultural, political and economic status in Louisiana and the military contributions of Black Louisianans up to the formation of the Louisiana Native Guards (73rd USCT). A.J. Cade II then delves into the fascinating story of the Louisiana Native Guards, the first Black regiments constituted in the Union Army during the Civil War. His presentation includes the perceptions of black soldiers in the US military and reactions of the British and French as a result. He is the author of a number of articles on the subaltern of the war, all of which have shed light on immigrants and African Americans who served in the military.
Brief History of the "First Louisiana" Regiments
The "first" of the U.S. colored regiments was the 1st Louisiana Native Guards who were mustered into service in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 27th, 1862. One of the first regiments of colored troops in the federal army, most of its officers were men of color when the regiment originally formed. The enlistment of so many volunteers of black men resulted in the formation of the 2nd and 3rd Louisiana Native Guards only a few months later.
The 1st Louisiana Engineers originally mustered on April 28, 1863 at Camp Parapet contraband camp in Carrollton, Louisiana near New Orleans. The nearly 1000 man regiment, commanded by Massachusetts abolitionist Justin Hodge, was immediately sent to the Siege of Port Hudson alongside the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Louisiana Native Guard and participated in the May and June assaults. The colored regiments of the "Black Phalanx" were praised for their heroism and work performed during the siege.
After the siege, the engineer regiment was split into two as the 1st and 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique (95th and 97th USCTs). The Louisiana Native Guard regiments that also participated in the siege would later be designated as the 73rd, 75th, and 76th U.S. Colored Infantries in the closing weeks of the Red River Campaign in the spring of 1864.
The 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique was commanded by Col. George D. Robinson. The 97th USCT would participate in the Red River campaign as part of the Engineer Brigade and play a significant role in bridging, building earthworks and building Bailey's Dam which saved the U.S. Navy's Mississippi River Squadron. The regiment was engaged in the Battle of Escambia Creek (Pine Barren) in the winter of 1864 and in the last major campaign of the war in the spring of 1865 ending with the sieges of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley, in which the 73rd USCT would also participate. After hostilities had ended, the 97th USCT would provide police duties in the city of Mobile and several officers and men served with the Freedmen's Bureau in the city. The 97th USCT mustered out in April, 1866 and had one of the longest service records of any USCT regiment.
The other half of the First Louisiana Engineers would be the officers and men of the 95th U.S.C.T.. The 95th USCT was sent to Brazos Santiago, Texas and helped rebuild Fort Brown, Brownsville, Texas. While at Brazos Santiago, a later consolidation took place in August 1864 that combined the 95th and 87th USCTs into the 81st Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique (a temporary designation). The regiment would be then designated as the 87th U.S. Colored Infantry (new) on December 19, 1864. Attached to the United States Forces, Texas, Department of the Gulf, to August 1865. On August 14, 1865, a final consolidation took place into the 84th U.S. Colored Infantry. Attached to the Northern District of Louisiana, Department of the Gulf, the officers and men mustered out in March 1866.
Please utilize the menu at the top of this page to access the additional pages on this website.
The 1st Louisiana Engineers originally mustered on April 28, 1863 at Camp Parapet contraband camp in Carrollton, Louisiana near New Orleans. The nearly 1000 man regiment, commanded by Massachusetts abolitionist Justin Hodge, was immediately sent to the Siege of Port Hudson alongside the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Louisiana Native Guard and participated in the May and June assaults. The colored regiments of the "Black Phalanx" were praised for their heroism and work performed during the siege.
After the siege, the engineer regiment was split into two as the 1st and 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique (95th and 97th USCTs). The Louisiana Native Guard regiments that also participated in the siege would later be designated as the 73rd, 75th, and 76th U.S. Colored Infantries in the closing weeks of the Red River Campaign in the spring of 1864.
The 3rd Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique was commanded by Col. George D. Robinson. The 97th USCT would participate in the Red River campaign as part of the Engineer Brigade and play a significant role in bridging, building earthworks and building Bailey's Dam which saved the U.S. Navy's Mississippi River Squadron. The regiment was engaged in the Battle of Escambia Creek (Pine Barren) in the winter of 1864 and in the last major campaign of the war in the spring of 1865 ending with the sieges of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley, in which the 73rd USCT would also participate. After hostilities had ended, the 97th USCT would provide police duties in the city of Mobile and several officers and men served with the Freedmen's Bureau in the city. The 97th USCT mustered out in April, 1866 and had one of the longest service records of any USCT regiment.
The other half of the First Louisiana Engineers would be the officers and men of the 95th U.S.C.T.. The 95th USCT was sent to Brazos Santiago, Texas and helped rebuild Fort Brown, Brownsville, Texas. While at Brazos Santiago, a later consolidation took place in August 1864 that combined the 95th and 87th USCTs into the 81st Regiment Engineers, Corps d'Afrique (a temporary designation). The regiment would be then designated as the 87th U.S. Colored Infantry (new) on December 19, 1864. Attached to the United States Forces, Texas, Department of the Gulf, to August 1865. On August 14, 1865, a final consolidation took place into the 84th U.S. Colored Infantry. Attached to the Northern District of Louisiana, Department of the Gulf, the officers and men mustered out in March 1866.
Please utilize the menu at the top of this page to access the additional pages on this website.
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