The Franklin Sharpshooters

Records of Company E, 8th Louisiana Infantry
The Franklin Sharpshooters
(Housed in the National Archives)

Historical Memorial [Cards 1-3 of 3]

The Franklin Sharpshooters were organized April 22nd 1861 in Winnsboro Louisiana, when German A. Lester was elected Captain and Newton Z Guice, 1st Lieutenant.

The company was then ordered to camp for military instruction. At this camp Oakley, May 5th, Robert Montgomery was elected 2nd Lt. and Joseph Bryan 2nd Jr. Lt.

During the month of May and to June 12th the company was under the instruction of Capt. Stone (drill master) appointed by Gov. Moore.

June 12th the company having attained the proper efficiency for service twas ordered to Camp Moore La., on the 13th the Co was presented with a beautiful silk flag by the young & accomplished Mrs. Mollie Buie for the ladies of Franklin Parish.

June 14th the Co. left Winnsboro and reached Delhi that night, the next morning took the cars for Vicksburg Miss., arrived there at about noon that day. The 15th took the car for Jackson. After midnight left Jackson for Camp Moore, arrived there early on the 16th. The Co, was mustered into the State service for 12 months on the 17th.

But on the 19th the Co. unanimously volunteered to go into the Confederate’s service for the war, and were mustered into it accordingly that day and with other companies formed the 8th Regt. Left Camp Moore on June 23rd and arrived at Manassas Junction Va. July 1st.

This Co. was one of the six companies of the Regt. that were ordered out of Camp Pickens, to Bull Run on the 17th and held the position at Mitchell’s ford during the engagements of the 18th and 21st of July, 1861. Returned to Camp Pickens on the 23rd of the same month. Left Camp Pickens and moved to Camp Bienville, near Centerville, September 17th 1861.

Company E, 8th Louisiana Infantry
Formerly Capt. German A. Lester’s Company
Franklin Sharpshooters, 8th La Regt. Volunteers

Muster Roll Cards [1 – 17 of 17]

Card 1
Dated: June 19, 1861
Station of Company Camp Moore, Louisiana
Record of Events: Blank

Card 2
Dated: July & August 1861
Station of company
Camp Pickins, VA
Record of Events: Blank

Cards 3 & 4
Dated: September & October 1861
Station of Company
Camp Reserve, VA
Record of Events

In obedience to orders from Hd. Qrts. 1st Army of the Potomac, the company marched with the Regt. from Camp Pickens, VA on the 18th of Sept., and in the same day joined the 8th Brigade, 1st Corps, A Bat., Camp B, Camp Bienville near Centerville, on the 28th Sept. Regt. marched from Camp Bienville to Camp Beauregard, near Germantown, about 8 miles from Camp Bienville. Sept. 29th Regt. together with 7 & 8 La Vols. and Riley’s N. C. Battery marched from Camp Beauregard for the purpose of making a demonstration opposite the enemy’s position on the upper Potomac. Same night bivouacked about two miles from Great Falls of Potomac. Next morning fire was opened from Riley’s Battery upon the enemy’s camp at Great Falls and after having been continued for some time the command was withdrawn, and marched to the vicinity of (?) Point, where a demonstration and on this evening of the same day proceeded to Seneca Island, where a demonstration was also made. Same night fell back to Dranesville, and next day returned to Camp Beauregard, having marched during this three days about fifty miles. On the 14th of Oct. fell back with the body of the army to Centerville and the next day proceeded to Camp Reserve near Bull’s Run Ford. On the 22nd of Oct. in the obedience to orders from, headquarters Army Corps, marched with Regiment for Leesburg to reinforce General Evans. Same night bivouacked at Bell’s Mills & Goose Creek, 6 miles from Leesburg. Next morning took position on Leesburg turnpike about a mile beyond Carter’s Mills and subsequently bivouacked on the east side of Goose Creek near said Mills. Next day Regt. moved up to Camp Caroline near Leesburg with orders to support (?'s ) men. Regt. should be attacked this evening. On the 26th of October marched with Regt. to Waterford 8 miles on occasion. ( ? ) Returned to Camp Carolina on the next day and on the 28th Oct. marched with Regt. from Leesburg to Camp Reserve, a distance of about 24 miles.

Card 5
Dated: November and December 1861
Station of Company
Camp Carondelet, VA
Record of Events
On the 7th of Nov. the Company marched with the Regiment from Camp Reserve to Camp Florida near Centerville, a distance of three miles. On the 17 Dec. marched from Camp Florida to Camp Carondelet near Union Mills, a distance of near (?) miles.

Card 6
Dated: Dec. 31, 1861 to Apr. 30 1862
Station of Company
Stanardsville, VA
Record of Events: blank

Card 7
Dated: July & August 1861
Station of Company: blank
Record of Events: blank

Card 8
Dated: Feb. 28 to June 30, 1862
Shows station of Company
Gordonville
Record of Events: Blank

Card 9
Dated: July & August 1862
Station of Company: blank
Record of Events: blank

Card 10
Dated: Sept. & Oct. 1862
Station of Company
Near White Post
Record of Events: blank

Card 11
Dated: Nov. & Dec., 1862
Station of Company
Camp near Port Royal, VA
Record of Events: blank

Card 12
Dated: Jan. & Feb, 1863
Station of Company
Camp Ewell, VA
Record of Events: blank

Card 13
Dated: Feb. 28 to May 14, 1863
Station of Company
Near Hamilton Crossing
Record of Events: blank

Card 14
Dated: May 14 to Aug. 11, 1863
Station of Company
Orange Co
Record of Events: blank

Card 15
Dated Aug. 11 to 31, 1863
Station of Company
Camp near Orange CH
Records of Events: blank

Card 16
Dated: Sept. &Oct., 1863
Station of Company
Camp near Brandy Station, VA

Card 17
Dated: Nov. & Dec. 1863
Station of Company: Not stated
Record of Events: blank

Card 18
Dated: Apr. 30 to Aug. 31, 1864
Station of Company
New Market
Record of Events
There being no officer with this company and all of the books and papers having been lost, it is impossible to make out the Rolls according to regulations. They are now as correct as possible.

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Note: Many of the men that served with this Unit lived in a part of Franklin Parish that is now part of Richland Parish.

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Transcribed by Carolyn Boies, and contributed 2021 Sep 26 by Carolyn Boies

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