I recently came into the possession of some letters from a soldier in the 8th Louisiana Heavy Artillery Battalion. The reason I post is that I'm looking for any information in regards to this battalion. I've cleaned out the ORs, Vicksburg NMP has sent their stuff and I've hit their CSRs. This battalion was originally the 8th Louisiana Infantry Battalion formed in New Orleans in Feb. of 1862. When New Orleans fell the remnants of the battalion made their way to Camp Moore. Mansfield Lovell reorganized it into the heavy artillery battalion. Then the battalion was sent to Vicksburg, did their thing, surrendered. Their post-Vicskburg is story is similar to all the other Louisiana units at Vicksburg: Some reported east of the river, most went home and then some reported back for duty. Men of the battalion show back up in June 1865 as part of the Siege Train artillery surrendering at Alexandria.

The soldier is just up the road from me. He was from Washington, La. in St. Landry Parish. His company is VERY obscure - can't even find the name of it. The company was organized in Washington under B.F. White and later by Thomas N. McCrory. This is the company I am mostly interested in.

I've been able to build a partial roster for the battalion but I'm looking for some help from some of you heavy hitters on this board for any information you may know about the unit or places to check. I've contacted the facility holding the Jackson Barracks rosters yesterday. Suggestions? Thanks guys.