The Fourth Louisiana Battalion in the Civil War:
Co. A, the Madison Rifles, was formed in May 1861 in Madison Parish, Louisiana. They set out for Richmond, along with five other companies — sporting the colorful names of Ouachita Blues, Franklin Life Guard, Carroll Rebels, Natchez Rifles and Ouachita Rebels — to become the Fourth Louisiana Battalion. After forming into a fighting force they were soon inducted into the war guarding the seacoast defenses of South Carolina. Leaving South Carolina, they were then attached to the command of Gen. Joe Johnston during the Vicksburg Campaign. Becoming part of the Army of Tennessee, the Fourth Louisiana fought some of the bloodiest battles in the Western Theater: Chickamauga, Chattanooga, and the Atlanta Campaign. The Fourth Louisiana Battalion reluctantly gave up their arms on May 4, 1865 — almost four years to the day of their formation in Richmond — at Gainesville, Ala. They would boast with pride that their service to the Confederate States was second to none. The Fourth Louisiana Battalion in the Civil War: A History and Roster is in two parts: a history of the unit and a roster of those who served. The history of the battalion is nicely written and very detailed. The strength of the history is the scores of letters, diaries and journals written by men in the unit. The letters and journal of Pvt. John McNeil are excellent, to say the least. They are some of the best accounts I have read in years. After each major battle the authors also include an Order of Battle, Union and Confederate, listing commanders down to regimental level. This is a very helpful addition to the text. The roster is overwhelming. It takes up 84 pages beginning with department commanders —Generals P.G.T. Beauregard and Joseph E. Johnston — to Pvt. J. M. Woodson of Co. F. (Note: A member of Co. A, Sgt. Heinrich Wirz, became the commandant of Andersonville Prison in Georgia). The Fourth Louisiana Battalion fielded nearly 900 men during the war. Most biographical entries are a good-size paragraph and include not only the veteran’s military service, but civilian history, pension information, birth and death records and with burial locations as well. This information will be most welcome to genealogists and military historians. There are lots of maps that are clear and accurate. Likewise for the images that are very nicely reproduced. The index is extensive. One thing missing is some sort of listing of the number of killed, wounded and missing in each battle although the information is in the text after each chapter. But this listing could also show AWOLs, desertions, died of disease, average age, etc. I believe this would have been a nice addition to the book. The book no doubt is a labor of love for authors Terry G. Scriber and Theresa Arnold-Scriber. Arnold-Scriber’s great-great-uncle was Maj. Duncan Buie who served on the unit’s staff. This work is a must, of course, for those interested in the Fourth Louisiana Battalion and Louisiana units as well. But if you enjoy reading the letters, journals and diaries of Civil War soldiers this is a treasure trove. Reviewer: Michael A. Cavanaugh Michael A. Cavanaugh is the former editor and publisher of the Civil War Book Exchange, now Civil War News. He has authored and co-authored five books on the war and is writing a biography on Maj. Gen. William Mahone, CSA.
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Illustrations, maps, roster, 363 pp., 2008. McFarland, Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640, $55 plus shipping,