George your correct many of the garrison were Irish. Over 80 of these men enlisted in the 9th Connecticut (Irish) Infantry after their capture .The hero of the group was John Bolger he started with the Confederate School of Practice in Baton Rouge then attached to 1st Confederate Light Battery Company C he and his squad were stationed on the CSS Mississippi captured he joined the 9th Connecticut. He rose to Sgt Major of the regiment and then when the unit was turned into a 4 company Battalion he was advanced to 1st Lieutenent.Him and 40 of the New Orleans men served till the end of the war.