(Also known as 29th Louisiana Infantry Regiment)

The following documents are located at the Tulane Library, New Orleans, Louisiana and were located by a fellow researcher M. Scott Faris. Scott is currently researching the 27th Louisiana Infantry Regiment and while doing work at Tulane, came across the following documents relating to Col. Allen Thomas and the 28th (29th) Regiment Louisiana Infantry.

A section of the cover letter that was attached to the followin documents reads as follows:

"...Please find enclosed the copies and transcriptions that I got from the Tulane Archives. As I stated in my e-mail, some of the documents I was abole to copy, while others were too fragile. The fragile documents were very painstakingly transcribed by yours truly, and represent many hours spent bent over a desk with a magnifying glass. I typed them as written; the punctuation, spelling, grammer, and capitalization are ture to the documents. As a historian, I understand the importance of primary source documents, and that is why I have refrained from making any editorial changes. I even tried to keep the text alignment as true to the document as possible..."

The following is the material received from my fellow researcher, M. Scott Faris, Northwestern State University, Cultural Resource Office.

Tulane Archives Record 55b Box 8, Folder 1

The first document is a copy of the actual document promoting Allen Thomas to Brigadier General of the Confederate States Army and takes effect on the 4th of February 1864. By clicking on the document you can view the document full size.

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The following document is a letter written to Brigadier General M. L. Smith by Col. Allen Thomas. The letter is dated Vicksburg, August 3rd, 1862.

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The letter is written in a distinctive flowing script and one can see the time and patience that was used to compose and write this document. The following is a transcription of this letter.

Hd qrs 28^th La Vols
Vicksburg, Aug 3d, 1862

Brig Genl
    M. L. Smith

                         Sir:

                     I had the honor, a short time since, to lay before you a matter which has caused me deep concern. Prior to the evacuation of New Orleans, I was entrusted by the Confederate Government with the Sum of Ten Thousand Dollars, to be used in the recruiting service, and to be paid to members of my Battalion already enlisted for the war. This Sum I have accounted for with satisfactory vouchers, save the Sum of Twenty Five Hundred Dollars, which I entrusted to a Captain duly authorized to raise a Company for the Confederate Service. Said Captain found it improbable to recruit his Company after the fall of New Orleans, and has still the Twenty Five Hundred Dollars in his possession; and I am convinced that my presence alone will settle the matter. I have expended thousands of dollars in raising the Thomas Battalion which was afterwards merged the 28th Regt, La Vols, (I mention this not to claim any credit for it- was simply a performance of my duty) and the loss of the Twenty Five Hundred Dollars now would cause me a great deal of inconvenience. My Regiment now is almost in sanitary quarters, having been greatly reduced by death and sickness, and I am sure that my presence in Western Louisiana would augment its strength with new recruits. I have secured the services of a most competent drill-master, and for these reasons am convinced that my absence could accrue to no disadvantage to the service; but would rather rebound to its benefit by securing its funds, and adding strength to my Command.

                  Hoping, in consideration of the above, that I may be allowed leave of absence and to be permitted to rid my mind of this matter, I have the honor to be

                  Yours most respectfully +
          Obediently
(signed)     Allen Thomas
               Col Comdg 28 La Vol

 

(the preceding letter was folded into an envelope, addressed to Col J.F. Girault, A A Gen'l. The letter was endorsed on the outside of the envelope, as follows:)

(On August 5, 1862, Col Thomas received a twenty day Leave of Absence granted by Maj. Gen. M. L. Smith. The following image is a copy of the actual document:)

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Head Qrs 3d Brigade
Vicksburg August 5^th, 1862

Approved + Leave of absence granted for twenty days.

              By Command of
                 Brig Gen M L Smith
  (signed)      J.F. Girault
                    A.A.G.

(On December 19, 1862, Col Thomas turned in his excess bounty money to William O. Key, Cpt, AQM. The following receipt is in the same folder as the above letter:)

 

Received at Vicksburg, Miss., December 19, 1862 of Allen Thomas Cd. Of the 28^th Regiment of Louisiana Volunteers the sum of four thousand six hundred dollars on account of excess of bounty remaining in his hands and for which I am accountable to the Treasury of the Confederate States.

Wm O. Key
Capt + AQM

Tulane Archives Record 55b Box 8, Folder 2

Vicksburg March 17^th 1863

The following is a letter written to Col. Allen Thomas by W. (William) F. Norman and is apparently an appeal/complaint against Col. J. O. Landry in the treatment of W. F. Norman (Capt., Co. D.) by Col. J. O. Landry. -- or one can possibly interperate this as "bickering between officers"...You be the judge.

Colonel Allen Thomas
       Commanding, 28th La Regt

    Sir:
       Having been treated by Lieut Col J. O. Landry in a manner unbecoming a gentleman and against the rules and regulations of the Army of the C. S., I have the honor to submit to you the following statement:

       I was put under arrest on the 8^th day of February in Vicksburg, while the Regiment was doing duty every night in the trenches; - when the Regiment left Camp I was sick and joined the Regt. 2 days after, reported for duty but did not receive any instructions what I got from other officers, viz:

       that always a Comm Officer should be present with the Company and when a Gun of the Battery's fired to repair immediately to the trenches. -

as I stated before, I was put under arrest without hearing the cause of it;- I heard afterwards the cause was that I was absent from my Compy by day + nights. -
       There was not an officer in the Regt. Which staid with his Compy all the time and with my Compy was always either Lieut. Lemon or me. -
       When the Regt. was relieved and mustered back to Camp Lieut. Col. Landry asked me to follow in the rear of the Regt, which I did.-
By the 19th Article of War, I should had my sword returned to me, as there was no charges against me, in Eight days, but did not receive it.

       About the 18^th Febr I received an Order from Brig. Genl. S.D. Lee to appear as soon as possible before the Examining Board of Lee's Brigade for examination; I was still kept in Arrest, and received from Lieut. Col. Landry the following notification on the 25th Febr, viz

 

                                           Head quarters 28 La
Special Order                           Camp Vicksburg Febr. 25/63

no--           Capt. W.F. Norman is hereby notified to report to these Headquarters at 9 oclock on Saturday next in order to appear before the board of examination.

J.E.Mooney                              By order of J. O. Landry
Lieut Act. A                          Lieut. Col Comdg 28th La Rgt.

 

My sword was not returned to me and as this notification without the return of my sword did not release me from arrest I did not go.
       On the 1st March I received the following note viz:

 

                                         Headquarters 28^th La
Capt. W.F. Norman                      Camp Lee March 1st 1863

Sir    the Colonel requires you to inform him at these Headquarters immediately your reasons for not complying with his Order ordering you to report here on yesterday 9 oclock AM.
J.E. Mooney                         By Command of J. O. Landry
Lieut AA.                          Lieut. Col Comdg 28 La

 

       My answer was to the effect that, as I was not yet released from arrest, I had no right to go;- in answer of which, he sent me the following order; viz:

 

                                             Hdqts 28 La Regt
Capt                                   Camp Lee March 1st 1863

       The Lieut Col directs me to say to you that when he wishes any advice from you, he will call on you for it- That he has not released you from arrest nor does he intend to- That the order for you to report here was peremtory and must be obeyed and if it is not by 9 oclock AM tomorrow an officer with a file of men with fixed bayonets will be sent for you as an escort.
I am respectfully
To Capt WF Norman                  J. E. Mooney Lieut AA
Co D 28th La Regt

 

Which order I did not obey.-
       A few days after, about the second day the Regt. changed quarters to this place, I received again an Order to report here, which was also most insulting: viz

                                                                                                             Hdqts 28^th La
Capt                                    Vicksburg March 4th 1863

       Lieut Col Landry directs me to say to you that Vicksburg is now our permanent place of quarters, and that unless you report to his Headquarters immediately, his last order will be put in force, that he is tired of your disobedience of orders and will not tolerate it any longer.
To                                         I am respectfully etc
Capt WF Norman Co D 28th La               J.E. Mooney Lieut AA

       The reason I am ordered to appear before the Board of Examination I hear is; that Lieut Col J. O. Landry has reported me as incompetent; - I have been now over ten months in this service + never heard any complaint about my competence of Performance of Dutys; - that he should find it out after such a long time is rather astonishing to me.

       Lieut Col Landry has treated me at all times with marked indifference, while having shown partiality to other officers in so much as to permit flagrant violations of duty to pass unnoticed. -

       Believing the interest of the service would be subserved by bringing notice of these facts to the Brig. Genl Commanding I have the honor to remain

                                   Your obedt servant
                                   WF Norman

 

The following is a circular signed by Maj. General M. L. Smith to obviousaly boost moral:

                                 Headquarters, Smith's Division
Circular                         Vicksburg, May 23rd, 1863

     Soldiers:

              You have been the first to meet the shock of the enemy's assault upon Vicksburg, and he has again recoiled before your admirable steadiness and courage. What cause for pride to have such troops! And what admiration from myself and others you have now!
    Accept the thanks and gratitude of those you are defending as well as my own, for what has been achieved.
    Your country's admiration and gratitude await you.
    The courage, bearing and intelligence of your Brigadiers commend them as worthy of the troops they lead.

                                      Sgd. M. L. Smith
Col. Allen Thomas                          Major General Comdg
Comdg. 28th La Regt.  
                                          Jno. G. Deveraux
                                          A.A.G.

 

The following is a copy of a special order issued to Col. Allen Thomas for a 20 day Leave of Absence:

Extract

Hd Qr Brandon Miss
July l7th 1863

Special Orders
               No

A leave of absence of twenty (20) days is granted Col Allen Thomas, 28th La Regt for the purpose of visiting Richmond Va. He is privileged to ask for an extension should he not complete his business in that length of time.

By order of                  
Lt Genl Pemberton         
F.M. Stafford         
         A.A.G. 

Tulane Archives Record 55b Box 8, Folder 3

       

(The following is a letter from J.A. Celantz, Assistant Adjutant General, to Allen Thomas. Celantz was in Richmond awaiting exchange; Thomas was in Louisiana.)

Supplemental                                  Richmond, Va May 25^th 1864

General

        I have just met with Hon Duncan F Thomas He arrived in the city this morning He informed me that you had not received Your Commission as Brigadier General up to the time he last saw you You should have received this Commission long since for I am Officially informed in the Adjutant & Inspector Generals office here that it was forwarded to Genl E Kirby Smith immediately on Your Appointment which was about 2nd Feberary last You should have received this Commission before I left Shreveport Fearing the Commission may have been lost or got astray I have Concluded to forward this official Copy which I have had made out in my hand to you by Mr Wagner which you will find enclosed
        In regard to your Nominations of Staff I have mentioned to Mr Kenner the making of the List of Men said for Commissions I do but says he will see the List of Men personally said since the appointment of Trist as your Aid-de-Camp He does not think he will be able to change Mr Seddens mind regarding Cook for Commissary.
        I received a letter from Th Cook yesterday He stated that he had received your letter Announcing his Nomination as Commissary and that he would be very glad to accept the position said was only waiting the creation of the List of Men.
        I forwarded the letter of Th Cook + stated the endorsement of Mr Sedden on the Conversation Nominating him for the position he desired and that since the ruling would not receive the appointment but if he could bring any influence to bear upon the Sect of War to cause him to change his mind The matter was open and that I would assist him in any way I could
        I today have had a lengthy interview with Col Ould on exchanges This question stands much the serious as I stated in my letter this morning Nothing can be done in affairs of exchange until the [2 words crossed out] struggle of Arms now raging in the State is ended When this will be the God of destinies only knows for Mortal Man cannot predict but I hope the trial of two weeks will tell the tale that Grant's "On to Richmond" is a failure, that his army is defeated and driven across the "Rapid Ann" + Potomac and that Butler the Beasts army now behind fortifications between the James and Appomattox rivers are driven to their boats or the fleet and to the James river in Fortress Monroe or elsewhere beyond our Army lines When Grant's forces are defeated + the James river is open we will have a Flag of Truce or if is reasonable to look for one at that time send them not till then will opportunity arise to open negotiations with the enemy for the Exchange of our Brigades and your Official Exchanges.
        I have today conferred with Sect of War + Col Ould as to whether I [am] to proceed Remain here until an Exchange is effected or proceed to Louisiana They tell me to act in the matter according to my firm judgement for they are unable to give instructions I have likewise conferred with Mr Kenner + he advises me to remain here until I can get more definite Conclusions on Affairs of Exchange. I shall remain here for an Indefinite time- don't know how long- I advise you to write me immediately + give full intimations as to the Course I am to pursue- If you write immediately upon the reception of this I think I will get it here or in Mobile - Most likely in Mobile for should go there soon - I think Mr Wagner will return and if he does send letter by him for he is a first Cousin and he will be sure to find me I might start to Louisiana before your Communication reached me Send it first chance in that Case it would amount to only to this cost of theirs in writing it & c-
        Col Ould informed me this morning that the Injust matters in Col Crows Connection relating to Arrest and Confinement of Paul M[illegible] was presented to the Federal authorities by him by last Flag of Truce to City Point but that he did not receive an answer- an answer may be reasonably effected by first Flag of Truce but it is not certain as the enemy are extremely precarious & c-
        I would suggest that it might be well for you to continue to assemble the men of theBrigade who have up to the time I left Shreveport failed to report in Camp.
I mean to assemble them so as to get their names as "Been Reported" I do not think Col Ould will exchange any men who have not been reported in Parole Camps and it will be necessary to assemble these men to get them exchanged and the sooner their names are forwarded to Col Ould as "Been Reported in Camp for Exchange" the sooner will they be released from their Paroles and ready for the field.

                                                Very Respectfully
Brig Genl                                          Your Obt Servt
Allen Thomas                                       J A Celantz
      Comdg                                        A A Genl