It was led by an outstanding Louisianian, Randall Lee Gibson, both as a colonel and brigadier general. Gibson had no military education or experience, but he was a brilliant man, fast-learner and an innate warrior who was an outstanding citizen-soldier. He was a brave and wise leader who had the ability to stay cool in battle and made good decisions under pressure.
Two-thirds of the regiment was made up of companies from the former Avenegno Zouaves, who gained notoriety for their flashy Zouave uniforms and aggressive style of fighting. Three other companies were predominantly hard fighting Irish immigrants. The only non-New Orleans company was from St. Mary Parish parish, which was made up of young men of rural and agricultural backgrounds. Despite their differences, they became a solid band of brothers who were welded together in the fiery trial of combat.
They fought in such famous battles as Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, and Chickamauga. They also fought throughout the epic Atlanta Campaign of 1864, including the battles of Resaca, Ezra Church, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta, Missionary Ridge, and Jonesboro. The 13th Louisiana finished up the war taking part in the epic Siege of Spanish Fort at Mobile, Alabama. They had a record to be proud of that is written large in the pages of history.
The book contains 295 pages and includes photographs, illustrations, maps, footnotes, bibliography, and index. It also has an annotated roster of over 1,300 men who served in the regiment during the war. The book is $15.95, paperback, and is available at Amazon.com and other online booksellers.
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