The Cornfield meticulously tracks the service of the 6^th Louisiana and 13^th Massachusetts from enlistment to Antietam. Its accuracy is thanks to the work of many historians, including authors of the regimental histories. Although a work of fiction, many of the anecdotes and stories recounted were inspired by true stories, taken from the diaries, letters, and recollections of the war’s participants. Many are especially enlightening and rich in detail.

The 6^th Louisiana saw hard service after Antietam, and one should note the overlap in engagements with the 13^th Massachusetts.

The 6^th Louisiana fought at Fredericksburg, Virginia, in December 1862. In 1863, the regiment contested the Union crossing of the Rappahannock River and defended Marye’s Heights at Fredericksburg in May’s Battle of Chancellorsville. The regiment returned to the Shenandoah Valley and fought the Second Battle of Winchester in June.

At Gettysburg in July, the 6^th fought the first day north of town, and participated in the capture of the town of Gettysburg. On the second day, the regiment participated in the unsuccessful assault on Cemetery Hill. In November, the regiment unsuccessfully defended a bridgehead at the Battle of Rappahannock Station, and later successfully defended a Union assault west of Fredericksburg at Mine Run.

In 1864, the 6^th Louisiana fought at the battles at The Wilderness and at Spotsylvania Court House in May. The 6^th joined General Jubal Early’s Shenandoah Valley campaign in June through October, fighting in the Battle of Monocacy Junction in Maryland and the Battles of Second Kernstown, Smithfield Crossing, Third Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek in Virginia.

This Shenandoah Valley campaign marked the end of the 6^th Louisiana’s identity as a regiment. There simply were not enough men left. The remnants of the regiment were folded into companies and consolidated with other Louisiana regiments. Collectively, they were no longer a Louisiana brigade or even a Louisiana regiment – they became the Louisiana battalion. The battalion went to Petersburg, Virginia.

The battalion fought in the trenches of Petersburg from January through early April 1865, including the assaults at Hatcher’s Run and Fort Stedman. In the final campaign of the war, following the collapse of the Confederate defenses around Richmond and Petersburg, what remained of the 6^th Louisiana Volunteers fought at Saylor’s Creek on April 6^th, and charged Union skirmishers at Appomattox Court House on April 9^th. General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Court House later that day.

The 6^th Louisiana enrolled over 1,100 men in New Orleans in the summer of 1861. At the surrender at Appomattox Court House, the regiment had four officers and 48 enlisted men.

The flag at the top of the page is the regimental flag of the 6^th Louisiana Volunteers.