The 18th Louisiana Infantry Regiment was a Confederate States Army unit that served during the American Civil War. Organized in 1861, the regiment was recruited primarily from men in north‑central Louisiana. After mustering, it was assigned to the Army of Tennessee and later to the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana.
Organization and service
- Formation: September 1861, at Monroe, Louisiana.
- Initial strength: Approximately 800–900 enlisted men, organized into ten companies designated A through K (excluding J).
- Commanders (selected):
- Colonel William G. Smith (initial commander)
- Colonel John H. McCauley (succeeded Smith in 1862)
- Lieutenant Colonel James W. Hargis (served as acting commander during portions of 1863)
Major engagements
- Battle of Shiloh (April 1862) – participated as part of Brigadier General John C. Breckinridge’s division.
- Siege of Corinth (May 1862) – took part in defensive operations following the battle of Shiloh.
- Vicksburg Campaign (1862–1863) – engaged in the defense of Vicksburg; many members were captured when the city surrendered on 4 July 1863.
- Atlanta Campaign (May–September 1864) – fought in several actions, including the Battle of Resaca and the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.
- Franklin–Nashville Campaign (November–December 1864) – combat at the Battle of Franklin and the subsequent retreat to Tennessee.
Later service and surrender
After the fall of Atlanta, the 18th Louisiana Infantry continued to serve in defensive actions in the Carolinas. The regiment’s remaining personnel were consolidated with other Louisiana units during the final months of the war. The consolidated formation surrendered with the Army of Tennessee on 26 April 1865 at Bennett Place, North Carolina.
Legacy
Veterans of the 18th Louisiana Infantry established several post‑war organizations, including the Louisiana Soldiers’ Reunion Association, which held annual meetings to commemorate the regiment’s service. Records of the regiment are held by the Louisiana State Museum and the National Archives.
References
- Boatner, Mark M. The Civil War Dictionary. New York: McKay, 1959.
- Jones, Terry L. Louisiana’s Confederate Regiments. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1998.
- Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, Series I, Volume XXXIII, Part I. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1911.
The information presented reflects currently available historical records and reputable secondary sources.
