I am trying to track down a mystery. I am interested in the specifics of how Daniel Ullmann recruited his brigade of Black troops. He starts about 1 April, 1863. His regiments, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, Regiments, Ullmann's Brigade are converted to Corps d'Afrique designations on June 6, 1863, with his units becoming the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th infantry regiments, Corps d'Afrique. Of course, in 1864 they are redesignated as 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, USCT.

So . . . he is credited with recruiting out of Baton Rouge or New Orleans. There were, however, also contraband camps in the Lafourche Country and recruiting depots in that region where I believe his troops came from as well.

Here is what I think is going on from April 1 to June 6, 1863.

1. First unit (6th Cd'A) is raised in the Lafourche County; Last Units (8, 9, 10?) are raised from slaves driven in from St. Landry, St. Martin, and St. Mary parishes.
2. It would stand to reason that the first regiment raised would be from an area longest held and closest to New Orleans, say St. Charles Parish, etc. This unit, which becomes the 6th Corps d'Afrique, later on is designated 78 USCT.
3. The famous photo of the 78th USCT drummer lists his name as "Taylor."

So, two questions.
1. Could "Taylor" have been a slave on Richard Taylor's "Fashion" Plantation (based on my hypothesis)
2. Is my hypothesis crazy?

Any help and sane advice is appreciated.