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Return to S.A. Poché newspaper article of the Battle of Mansfield

Below is a copy of a letter written by S.A. Poché several months after the battle of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill on December 28th 1864 at Camp Allen to support the the nomination of Sergeant Emile Portier as regimental ensign or colorbearer for the Consolidated 18th Louisiana Regiment.  It reads as follows:

"Col-
      An application for the appointment of Sergt C. A. Mouton 18 La. Regt to the position of ensign of Said Regiment addressed to Col S.S. Anderson by Lt Col W. Mouton, was returned by Dist. Hdgrs: "to know whether said C.A. Mouton is now color bearer of said regt. + if not, if there is any objection to the appointment of the present color-bearer" - Sergt C.A. Mouton is not the color-bearer of said regiment. I do not know of any objections to the appointment of Sergt Emile Portier of Co. F. Con. 18th La.Regt., the present colorbearer of the Regt. At the Battle of Mansfield the color-bearer being killed, the colors were offered to who would take them. Emile Portier volunteered to do so + was remanded for gallantry on the field of Pleasant Hill - I do therefore request said Emile Portier be appointed ensign of the Regiment.  He is 22 years of age; and was born + resided in Terrebonne Parish, La.
                                                                             Very Respectfully Yours,
                                                                                         S.A. Poché
                                                                         Capt. Com of con 18th La. Regt."



 
Apparently the position of colorbearer of a regiment was a special appointment.  Below is the back of the above letter showing the approvals of the chain of command up to General Kirby Smith who headed the entire Army of the Trans-Mississippi. He approved of the appointment February 6th 1865.