THE NINTH INFANTRY REGIMENT

Some time in February or early March, in 1862, I went to Vernon, the Parish site of Jackson Parish, Louisiana.  An officer of my brothers' company was there drumming up volunteers, and I went forward and joined the company - for three years, or during the war. (Page 6)

Tom Reed had some problems getting to his regiment near Richmond Virginia including avoiding some "Yankees" and a train wreck in which several cars were derailed including his.

We reported to an officer and drew our guns and ammunition.  Now we were near a whole lot of trouble.  After inquiring where the 9th Louisiana Regiment of Infantry was we lit out to find it, and it was not long before we were shaking hands with our brothers, old friends and playmates, and I thought they were the smuttiest dirtiest set of boys I had ever laid eyes on.  Well, I thought, I will never go in that style I am sure.  But how short sighted we are.  It is like the preacher told me in after years - we don't  know were we have started.  (Page 11)

Tom Reed could never have dreamed what he had "started".  The Ninth Louisiana Regiment was to be involved in some of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War.  The Louisiana country boys were not only exposed to the horrors of the battlefield but also to diseases that claimed the lives of many.

The Ninth along with other Louisiana Regiments became well known as fearless men who when called upon would charge or stand their ground against all odds.  General Stonewall Jackson called them his "Iron Brigade".  They were also referred to as "Lee's Tigers".  The Louisiana soldiers were feared by both the enemy and friends because some had gained a reputation for stealing and destroying property.  In more than one instance a Louisiana soldier was shot and killed by his superior officer to control the rest.  At least two were executed for an assault on an officer.

Tom Reed refers to this reputation in the text below.  Tom and some of his soldier buddies have been fed by this lady.

Well, after this lady filled and lit her new pipe, she said to me:            “What State are you from?”            
And I replied: “We are Louisiana soldiers.”
            She looked at me and then at Charles and Ola, and turned as pale as death, then she flushed up as red as Scarlet.  Then she would turn pale again, then red again.  I think she must have sat there a minute and looked at us.  Finally she said:
            “Gentlemen, you must not think strange of me, but I tell you the very name of Louisiana soldier is a horror to me, and I hope while you are under my roof you will behave yourselves.”
            “Why, Madam, we propose to be gentlemen, and I will vouch for our behavior,” I said.  “I know that our troops have a hard name, but I can assure you that there area as high-minded and refined gentlemen from Louisiana as there are in the State of Virginia or any other State.”

"Of the 1474 men that enrolled in the Ninth Regiment, 233 were killed or mortally wounded in combat, 349 died of disease, and 4 killed accidentally.  Not represented in these figures are the men that were disabled by wounds or disease, some for short periods of time and many for the rest of their lives.   This was the highest death rate of all Louisiana units in Virginia.  At least 115 men deserted the Regiment.  Three of the Regiments four Colonel's became Generals during the war.  When the army surrendered at Appomattox on April 9, 1865 the regiment was the strongest of all Louisiana units with 4 officers and 64 enlisted men present."  
Quoted from - NINTH INFANTRY REGIMENT LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS   - This is a fantastic web site with detailed information about the Ninth Infantry.  I obtained a wealth of information about the Ninth from this site.