Hello,
My ancestor is Benjamin Franklin Allein (1827-1898) who lived in Church Hill, Jefferson County, MS and for a time lived in Madison Parish, LA. He was a Private in the 3rd Regiment Louisiana Infantry, Company H. I don't have the dates in front of me but he joined around 1863 and was paroled in Shrevport in 1865. From a publication entitled "Confederate Papers Relating To Citizens Or Business Firms 1861-1865 Pub.#M346 NARA" he is shown in late 1863 on three records, receiving money for having transported salt from Lake Bistineau LA to Shreveport LA. I have copies of the actual receipts that he signed, from a Captain R.T. Buckner, Asst. Quartermaster, C.S. Army.

Other than brief histories of the salt in Louisiana from web sites such as Wikipedia, etc., I haven't found much in the way of any civil war documentation, photos, or other records which might give me more information on what was actually going on there (from Lake Bistineau to Shreveport) during the time my Benjamin Allein was hauling the salt. I can't understand how he could be getting paid by the army to haul the salt, and be a Private in the army at the same time. Would like to find others whose ancestor may have also been involved in the salt hauling or work, to get a better historical account.

Thank you,
Peggy Dyas