Black Officers of the Native Guards

THE NATIVE GUARDS' BLACK OFFICERS

Sketch of black line officers in the First Native Guards from Harper's Weekly.
Capt. Sentmant, 2nd Lt. Lavigne, 1st Lt. Larrien, 2nd Lt. Montieu, & Capt. Davis
Courtesy of the Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collection,LSU Libraries.

Black Officers in the Union Army During the Civil War

During the Civil War, more than 125,000 men served as commissioned officers in the volunteer army of the United States. One hundred and eleven of these men were black, ninety of whom served in combat units. Of these combat officers, almost all served in the Louisiana Native Guards. The story of black officers in the Union Army during the Civil War is therefore the saga of the seventy-six men who held commissions in the Native Guards.

Public offices held by the Native Guards' black officers after the Civil War.

The black officer in the Native Guards who became an actor after the Civil War.

Commemorating Andre' Cailloux's death at Port Hudson.

A Roster of Black Officers Who Served in the Native Guards

There have been several attempts to identify black officers who served in the Native Guards. This task is not as easy as it might appear. The service records of Civil War soldiers normally do not contain information regarding race. Although reference to an officer's race may appear in a letter of resignation or other correspondence, one must infer whether an officer is black on the basis of other information.

Below is a list of the black officers in the Native Guards. It comes from company muster rolls on the day each regiment was mustered into service as well as the military service records of every officer who served in one of the three regiments of the Native Guards. This list of black officers is probably as accurate as any that exists today.

Name Rank Regt. Resigned Comments

Barrett, William B. CPT 2nd 07/20/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice.

Belley, William CPT 2nd 04/05/64 Resigned, not qualified by Board.

Bertonneau, Arnold CPT 2nd 03/05/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice

Bourgeau, Alfred 1LT 1st 03/07/64 Recommended for promotion in Oct. 1863.

Butler, Charles 2LT 1st 04/04/63 Medical discharge, "rheumatism."

Cailloux, Andre' CPT 1st 05/27/63 Killed at Port Hudson.

Carter, Edward CPT 1st 10/21/63 Medical discharge, "piles."

Carter, Hannibal CPT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.

Case, George R. CPT 1st 02/11/64 Medical discharge, "deafness."

Chase, Edward P. CPT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.

Crowder, John 2LT 1st 05/27/63 Killed at Port Hudson.

Davis, Edgar CPT 1st 09/01/63 Trans. to 91st USCT & resigned.

De Gray, Louis 1LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.

Depass, John CPT 1st 02/27/63 Resigned to return to England.

Depremont, Peter O. 2LT 2nd 07/17/63 Resigned, no reason given.

Detiege, Emile 1LT 1st 09/25/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice.

Dumas, Francis E. MAJ 2nd 07/03/63 Resigned, no reason given.

Fleury, Alphonse, Jr. 1LT 2nd 04/04/63 Medical discharge, "sickness."

Fog[y], Octave 2LT 1st 03/30/63 Discharge for "physical disability."

Follin, Joseph CPT 1st 02/29/64 Resigned for reasons of prejudice.

Forstall, Leon G. CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Gardiner, Peter A. CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Gibbons, Charles W CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Gla, Jacques Adolph CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Glover, Calvin B. 1LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.

Hardin, William 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Hays, Solomon 2LT 2nd 02/18/64 Resigned, "ignorant, unable to learn."

Holland, John C. CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Hubeau, Ernest 1LT 2nd 01/22/63 Resigned, no reason.

Ingraham, James H. CPT 1st 03/22/64 Recommended for promotion in Oct. 1863.

Isabelle, Robert H. 2LT 2nd 03/05/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice.

Jones, Joseph 1LT 2nd 07/13/63 Resigned, no reason given.

Keeling, William F. 1LT 2nd 02/24/63 Dismissed by board, S. O. No. 55.

Lanien, Louis, D. 1LT 1st 06/03/63 Resigned, but no service record.

Latting, John W. 2LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.

Lavigne, Victor 2LT 1st 09/05/63 Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned.

Lawrence, Samuel CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Lesassier, Valdes 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Lewis, Alcide CPT 1st 08/26/63 Dismissed for cowardice, S. O. No. 211.

Lewis, James CPT 1st 03/14/64 Medical discharge, "piles."

Longpre, Ernest 1LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Louis, Jules P. 2LT 2nd 04/04/63 Medical discharge, "sickness."

Mallet, Jules 1LT 1st 09/05/63 Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned.

Martin, Theodule A. 1LT 2nd 08/15/64 Medical discharge, "scurvy."

Merillion, Monroe CPT 2nd 02/24/63 Dismissed by board, S. O. No. 55.

Montieu, Joseph L. 2LT 1st 09/01/63 Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned.

Moore, James E. 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Morphy, Ernest 1LT 2nd 03/05/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice.

Morris, Morris W. 1LT 1st 08/27/63 Resigned on death of father.

Moss, Ehurd 1LT 1st 03/14/64 Resigned to avoid being discharged.

Oliver, Joseph C. CPT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation, "excellent officer."

Orillion, Oscar 2LT 1st 08/03/63 Missing-in-action near Jackson, LA.

Paree, Paul 1LT 1st 08/11/63 Medical discharge, "rheumatism."

Parker, Joseph G. 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Petit, Louis 1LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Pinchback, P. B. S. CPT 2nd 9/11/63 "Only col'd officer" at Fort Pike.

Rapp, Eugene 1LT 1st 09/27/63 Resigned, no reason given.]

Rey, Henry L. CPT 1st 04/06/63 Medical discharge, "disease."

Rey, Hippolyte 2LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Rey, Octave 2LT 2nd 03/05/63 Resigned for reasons of prejudice.

Ringgold, Samuel W. CPT 2nd 07/20/63 Protested make-up of Examining Board.

Sauvinet, Charles S. 1LT 2nd 07/11/65 Promoted to Asst. Quarter Master.

Schermerhorn, Charles 2Lt 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Scott, Lucien 2LT 2nd 02/24/63 Dismissed by Board, S. O. No. 55.

Sentmanat, Charles CPT 1st 10/02/63 Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned.

Snaer, Louis A. CPT 1st 11/27/65 On duty at the end of the war.

St. Louis, Hyppolite 2LT 1st 08/26/63 Dismissed by Banks.

Tervalon, Francois 1LT 3rd 02/19/63 Mass resignation.

Thibaut, Louis A. 2LT 1st 08/26/63 Dismissed by Banks.

Thompson, Jasper 2LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.

Trask, Frank L. 2LT 2nd 02/21/64 Dismissed, left guard post.

Villeverde, Joseph CPT 2nd 08/15/64 Dismissed by Board, S. O. No. 215.

Warfield, Charles 2LT 1st 02/27/63 Resigned, "benefit of the service."

Watson, George F. 1LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No.

Wellington, Joseph 1LT 2nd 05/30/63 Resigned, S. O. No. 126.

Wilkinson, Samuel J. CPT 2nd 07/20/63 Protested make-up of Examining Board.

Name	Rank	Regt.	Resigned	Comments
Barrett, William B.	CPT	2nd	07/20/63	Resigned for reasons of prejudice.
Belley, William	CPT	2nd	04/05/64	Resigned, not qualified by Board.
Bertonneau, Arnold	CPT	2nd	03/05/63	Resigned for reasons of prejudice
Bourgeau, Alfred	1LT	1st	03/07/64	Recommended for promotion in Oct. 1863.
Butler, Charles	2LT	1st	04/04/63	Medical discharge, "rheumatism."
Cailloux, Andre'	CPT	1st	05/27/63	Killed at Port Hudson.
Carter, Edward	CPT	1st	10/21/63	Medical discharge, "piles."
Carter, Hannibal	CPT	2nd	05/30/63	Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Case, George R.	CPT	1st	02/11/64	Medical discharge, "deafness."
Chase, Edward P.	CPT	2nd	05/30/63	Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Crowder, John	2LT	1st	05/27/63	Killed at Port Hudson.
Davis, Edgar	CPT	1st	09/01/63	Trans. to 91st USCT & resigned.
De Gray, Louis	1LT	2nd	05/30/63	Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Depass, John	CPT	1st	02/27/63	Resigned to return to England.
Depremont, Peter O.	2LT	2nd	07/17/63	Resigned, no reason given.
Detiege, Emile	1LT	1st	09/25/63	Resigned for reasons of prejudice.
Dumas, Francis E.	MAJ	2nd	07/03/63	Resigned, no reason given.
Fleury, Alphonse, Jr.	1LT	2nd	04/04/63	Medical discharge, "sickness."
Fog[y], Octave	2LT	1st	03/30/63	Discharge for "physical disability."
Follin, Joseph	CPT	1st	02/29/64	Resigned for reasons of prejudice.
Forstall, Leon G.	CPT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Gardiner, Peter A.	CPT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Gibbons, Charles W	CPT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Gla, Jacques Adolph	CPT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Glover, Calvin B.	1LT	2nd	05/30/63	Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Hardin, William	2LT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Hays, Solomon	2LT	2nd	02/18/64	Resigned, "ignorant, unable to learn."
Holland, John C.	CPT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Hubeau, Ernest	1LT	2nd	01/22/63	Resigned, no reason.
Ingraham, James H.	CPT	1st	03/22/64	Recommended for promotion in Oct. 1863.
Isabelle, Robert H.	2LT	2nd	03/05/63	Resigned for reasons of prejudice.
Jones, Joseph	1LT	2nd	07/13/63	Resigned, no reason given.
Keeling, William F.	1LT	2nd	02/24/63	Dismissed by board, S. O. No. 55.
Lanien, Louis, D.	1LT	1st	06/03/63	Resigned, but no service record.
Latting, John W.	2LT	2nd	05/30/63	Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Lavigne, Victor	2LT	1st	09/05/63	Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned.
Lawrence, Samuel	CPT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Lesassier, Valdes	2LT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Lewis, Alcide	CPT	1st	08/26/63	Dismissed for cowardice, S. O. No. 211.
Lewis, James	CPT	1st	03/14/64	Medical discharge, "piles."
Longpre, Ernest	1LT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Louis, Jules P.	2LT	2nd	04/04/63	Medical discharge, "sickness."
Mallet, Jules	1LT	1st	09/05/63	Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned.
Martin, Theodule A.	1LT	2nd	08/15/64	Medical discharge, "scurvy."
Merillion, Monroe	CPT	2nd	02/24/63	Dismissed by board, S. O. No. 55.
Montieu, Joseph L.	2LT	1st	09/01/63	Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned.
Moore, James E.	2LT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Morphy, Ernest	1LT	2nd	03/05/63	Resigned for reasons of prejudice.
Morris, Morris W.	1LT	1st	08/27/63	Resigned on death of father.
Moss, Ehurd	1LT	1st	03/14/64	Resigned to avoid being discharged.
Oliver, Joseph C.	CPT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation, "excellent officer."
Orillion, Oscar	2LT	1st	08/03/63	Missing-in-action near Jackson, LA.
Paree, Paul	1LT	1st	08/11/63	Medical discharge, "rheumatism."
Parker, Joseph G.	2LT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Petit, Louis	1LT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Pinchback, P. B. S.	CPT	2nd	9/11/63	"Only col'd officer" at Fort Pike.
Rapp, Eugene	1LT	1st	09/27/63	Resigned, no reason given.]
Rey, Henry L.	CPT	1st	04/06/63	Medical discharge, "disease."
Rey, Hippolyte	2LT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Rey, Octave	2LT	2nd	03/05/63	Resigned for reasons of prejudice.
Ringgold, Samuel W.	CPT	2nd	07/20/63	Protested make-up of Examining Board.
Sauvinet, Charles S.	1LT	2nd	07/11/65	Promoted to Asst. Quarter Master.
Schermerhorn, Charles	2Lt	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Scott, Lucien	2LT	2nd	02/24/63	Dismissed by Board, S. O. No. 55.
Sentmanat, Charles	CPT	1st	10/02/63	Transferred to 91st USCT & resigned.
Snaer, Louis A.	CPT	1st	11/27/65	On duty at the end of the war.
St. Louis, Hyppolite	2LT	1st	08/26/63	Dismissed by Banks.
Tervalon, Francois	1LT	3rd	02/19/63	Mass resignation.
Thibaut, Louis A.	2LT	1st	08/26/63	Dismissed by Banks.
Thompson, Jasper	2LT	2nd	05/30/63	Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Trask, Frank L.	2LT	2nd	02/21/64	Dismissed, left guard post.
Villeverde, Joseph	CPT	2nd	08/15/64	Dismissed by Board, S. O. No. 215.
Warfield, Charles	2LT	1st	02/27/63	Resigned, "benefit of the service."
Watson, George F.	1LT	2nd	05/30/63	Resigned, S. O. No.
Wellington, Joseph	1LT	2nd	05/30/63	Resigned, S. O. No. 126.
Wilkinson, Samuel J.	CPT	2nd	07/20/63	Protested make-up of Examining Board.

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