Captain Seth R Field was an original memeber of the Crescent Regiment when it mustered into service in New Orleans in March of 1862 for a ninety day enlistment. He remained with the regiment through most of the war. He was originally with Co H (Crescent Blues) and when its original Cpt was wounded at Shiloh, Fields was promoted to the position. He later was Cpt of Co A of the Consolidated Crescent when it was reorganized. His military records are sparse, but contain an interesting reference to being absent without leave and later absent at Court Martial. It's unclear to me if he was serving on the Court Martial or it's object.

His bravery can't be denied as he was killed at the Battle of Mansfield, LA when he picked up the regimental colors from a fallen color bearer and attempted to lead the regiment on. There is a very interesting account of the battle and much about Field and his wife, who was living in Mansfield at the time, at http://theusgenweb.org/la/desoto/civreac.htm .

There is more information about Field in the book, The Red River Campaign, Union and Confedederate Leadership and the War in Louisiana, ed Savas, Woodbury, and Joiner. I highly recommend it.

Field would have fought at Shiloh (the Hornet's Nest), the Battle of Labadieville, LA, Grand River (skirmish with the steamer Gray Cloud ), Bisland, and ending with his death at Mansfield. The Crescent didn't fight at Vicksburg, but for a while they did join in operations transporting weapons across the Mississippi to the troops there.

Clay Lord
crescentregiment@comcast.net