10th Louisiana Infantry Regiment

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dates= 1861–1865
country=Confederate States of America
branch=Confederate States Army
type= Infantry
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nickname=Lee's Foreign Legion
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The 10th Louisiana Infantry Regiment was a Louisiana infantry unit of the Confederate States of America that operated with the Army of Northern Virginia of the American Civil War. It was known as Lee's Foreign Legion due to the large numbers of foreign-born troops.

Unit composition

10th Infantry Regiment was assembled at Camp Moore, Louisiana, during June and July, 1861, and soon moved to Virginia. Its members were from New Orleans and Bossier and St. Landry parishes. Wearing zouave uniforms, the regiment was composed of many foreigners including Greeks, Italians, and Spainards.

In April, 1862, it totalled 595 men and during the war served in McLaws', Semmes', Starke's, Nicholl's, Iverson's, Stafford's, and York's Brigade.

Engagements

The 10th Louisiana fought in many engagements of the Army of the Northern Virginia from the Battle of Williamsburg to the Battle of Cold Harbor. At the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, the regiment was part of the brigade of Col. Jessie Williams and participated in a series of unsuccessful attacks on Union entrenchments on Culp's Hill. Later, the 10th was part of the Mine Run and Bristoe campaigns.

After participating in the Overland Campaign in early 1864, the 10th then was active in the Shenandoah Valley with General Early. In the spring of 1865, it took part in the Appomattox Campaign.

Losses

The brigade lost 27% of the 318 engaged at the Battle of Malvern Hill, had 16 killed, 33 wounded, and 7 missing at the Battle of Antietam, and 15 killed and 51 wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville. The regiment reported 3 wounded at the Second Battle of Winchester and lost more than forty-five percent of the 226 at the Battle of Gettysburg. On April 9, 1865, only 4 officers and 13 men surrendered after the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse.

Officers

The field officers were Colonels Mandeville DeMarigny, Henry D. Monier, and Eugene Waggaman; Lieutenant Colonels Jules C. Denis and J.M. Legett; and Majors Felix Dumonteil, Thomas N. Powell, and William H. Spencer.

References