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I was on another web site..seems pretty good...and was checking out Confederate unit histories. Naturally, I went in the section dealing with Confederate Regulars, a subject I dont find much info on. Anways, it listed the 1st and 2nd Confederate Foriegn Bn.s and the 1st and 2nd Confederate Foriegn Regiments as part of the Confederate Regular Army.Unfortunately, the seperate link for these units is under construction. I didnt know the CSA had its own version of the Wiking Division! Is this true? Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks. (if the moderators dont mind, I will be happy to list the Web Site)
The First and Second Foreign Battalions and Brooks' Battalion were recruited from Federal POWs (Irish, French etc). They were organized in the latter part of 1864.
The 1st Btn. was later increased to regiment size and known as "Tucker's Confederate Regiment."
__________________ POWER & MONEY
"Your New-York bankers and merchants are shrewd people, but I never gave them credit for so much sagacity as when they took the Government Loan. It was not merely patriotism, it was a high stroke of policy. It has saved the Government, and what they will regard as equally important, saved them from a great financial disaster."
New York Times, 27 September 1861
Last edited by Battalion : 09-11-2007 at 02:20 PM.
Really? I new there were those units, but I dont ever recall reading about them or them going by that name. Now Im gonna be doing some research. I wanted to see if I was chasing a false lead first! (I am having second doubts on what this site I am reffering to is all about...Seems to have a fair amount of info, the more I read it, more and more typos, bad grammar and spelling leave me a bit wary...) Thanks again. Custersluck
Tucker's Regiment served as pioneers in the last months of the war.
Brook's Battalion was in the Siege of Savannah. Some of the men mutinied at this place.
The ringleaders were shot and the others involved sent back to prison.
__________________ POWER & MONEY
"Your New-York bankers and merchants are shrewd people, but I never gave them credit for so much sagacity as when they took the Government Loan. It was not merely patriotism, it was a high stroke of policy. It has saved the Government, and what they will regard as equally important, saved them from a great financial disaster."
Sounds like the basis of an fine article. How about it Battalion? You've got a head start.
ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Imagine emigrating across the ocean, getting stuck in one army, getting captures, getting stuck fighting for the other side. Probably quite a few of those guys wish they had never come!
To a large extent, the Union's army WAS a foreign legion!
Capt. Coxetter
Yes, very true. I also am aware of the fact both sides employed Native American units to varying degrees and I know of a least one Irish unit in the Western Theatre for the south...it is interesting that the Germans almost unanimously stayed with the union...sometimes to their deaths, as in Texas...seems though, the majority of the foriegn union units fought in the east...probably as most were located in the Ny areas...I believe more of the Germans though may have fought in the west as they seem to have emigrated faster to the west..esp. in Ohio, Il, WI, etc. Does anyone have any access to statistics showing the disposition of the foriegn speaking regiments during the war? That would be a interesting breakdown I think.
Many of who served under Franz Siegel were German Turners who fled to the United States after the unsuccessful Revolution of 1848. These "dutch" units as the Americans called them, sometimes drilled in their more familiar Prussian tactics and had their orders given in German. The 15th Wisconsin was composed entirely of Norweigans.
Likewise, Confederates units reflected the area from where the men were recruited from. It was possible to have filipinos (Louisiana), Mexicans (Texan units), Cubans and even a small smattering of Chinese serve alongside folks of northern European descent.
Thanks for the reply. This I was aware of. Just wondering if anyone had a detailed breakdown, or is this possiably a subject I might delve into to write on? I think this may be interesting but I dont wish to replocate another topic....Custesluck13
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Confederate Foreign Legion? 
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