8th Louisiana Cavalry

George was born abt. 1831 in Tennessee. In 1860 he is shown on the census as 29 y/o in Ward 1, Bossier Parish, La. PO at Loggy Bayou. He has 2 cards in his archival file. He enlisted and mustered when the unit was formed on 15 Oct 1864 by the combining of the 1st & 2nd State Guard Cavalry. This unit was used primarily for Picker and Outpost duty along the Lower Bayou Teche and Atchafalaya River. Commanded by General Joseph L Brent. It surrendered 26 May 1865 and was paroled at Shreveport, 19 Jun 1865. He was the father-in-law of my 2nd cousin 3 x removed. Died 2 Aug 1909 and is buried beside his wife Elizabeth J Bates at the Poole - Sutton Cem. at Elm Grove, Bossier Parish, La.

Resident of DeSoto Parish, Louisiana.

William was born 5 Jan 1845 in Leake Co. Miss. I have not found his CSA archival file. However, he filed for Pension, and it was not granted and then his wife filed from where she lived in Willow City, Gillespie County Texas. It it is not known if she ever drew any money. However, the large trail of paperwork provided the Regiment he served in. He enlisted In Leake Co Miss. in Feb 1862 in Lt. Col. Farrows 2nd Battalion La Cavalry [ State Guards] The sworn affidavit by Sgt J.J. Billingsly stated that he served with William and they both were born in Leake Co. Miss. He further stated that they served in Col. Farrows Battalion. In Williams petition he stated he had enlisted in Feb 1862 and was discharged at Keither La. 23 May 1865. Another soldier J.A. Rasco stated in his affidavit he also served with William.

John was born 13 Jan 1847; he is shown as 13 y/o on the 1860 census. He has two cards in his archival file but does not show a date of enlistment. His wife filed for a pension on 7 June 1935 which was granted. She filed from Sherman, Texas. He probably enlisted on 27 Oct 1864 when the unit was formed at about age 17. {Crute's does not show a history for this unit] It was formed by consolidating the 1st & 2nd Cavalry Battalions, State Guards. The pension file mentions Capt. Tom Plager, Major Jim Caldwell and Lieutenants Frank Hughes & Durdia. The men performed picket and outpost duty along the lower Bayou Teche and the upper Atchafalaya River during most of their service. They made up a part of a cavalry brigade commanded by General Joseph L. Brent. Portions of the regiment participated in brief campaigns against Jayhawkers and deserters in western St. Landry Parish in the early months of 1865. They may have been dismounted late in the war. The regiment appears to have been near Natchitoches or Mansfield in May of 1865. John was my 2nd cousin 3 times removed.

My GG Grandfather, served as a medical officer. After the war, resided in Effie, Louisiana. Fathered 21 children total, 2nd wife was Catherine Odelia Cole. Served community as country doctor, veterinarian, etc.

Kim Stracener Zapalac provided the following story from the Pension Files--Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge.--- DANIEL ALEXANDER STRACENER--- During the first part of the war, he was gathered up with many others, pressed into service near Wiseville or Homer, Claiborne Parish, LA, and was taken to Shreveport where he was sworn into regular service. He remained there for some weeks and then was discharged and sent back home.--- In a short time, he joined a courier company (owned horse as confirmed below) and was put on duty on first post out northwest (5 miles) from Shreveport. He got sick (fever) and was sent home.--- His parents at the same time were moving to Winn Parish. He joined another volunteer company when he arrived there. This was the 8th Louisiana Cavalry and stayed with them until the end of the war (except for another 'sever seige of sickness where he was given up to die by his physicians.' Disbanded at Natchitoches and sent home. Got home on May 22, 1865. Was the last private to leave his company.--- His officers were Capt. Turner (8th Louisiana Regiment), Col. Clark (1st Batt.), and Lt. Col. Favrot.--- He says the 1st Battalion was consolidated into the 8th Louisiana Regiment. He, also, says he was in the cavalry at the beginning and ended up in the infantry.--- The War Deparment records showed 'D. A. Stracener, private, Company A, State Army of Louisiana, subsequently Company A, Claiborne Regiment, Louisiana Militia, C. S. A. was enlisted June 1, year not stated. On the company roll covering the period from May 1 to June 21, 1863, only roll on file, he is reported present.'--- The records further show that one D. A. Strackner, private, Company I, 8th Louisiana Dismounted Cavalry, C. S. A., surrendered at New Orleans, Louisiana, May 26, 1865, and was paroled at Alexandria, Louisiana, July 1, 1865.--- R. H. Turner served as captain of Company C and H. M. Favrot as Lt. Col. of the 2nd Batt. Louisiana State Guard Cavalry, C. S. A. The 1st Batt. and 2nd Batt., Louisiana State Guard Cav., were consolidated October 27, 1864, to form the 8th Louisiana Cav., C. S. A.--- Other comrades he mentions in his application were Henry/Harvy? Turner, James Tolbert?, and his brother Benjamin Stracener.--- 1910--His first application was sent in. Many years and applications later, he was finally approved.

No family notes have been added.