Mr. Bergeron, I am trying to write a brief bio of Pvt. Benoit Johnson who served in Co.K of Harrison's 3rd La. Cav. for our church homecoming. Benoit Johnson became interested in Christianity during the war after attending one of the camp revivals. He began learning to read and after the war continued his study and later became a circuit riding preacher. He helped establish churches in Alexandria, Oakdale, Pine Prairie, Cypress Creek, Turkey Creek and I believe Bunkie and other areas.

I was given the following information from a descendent of Benoit Johnson...

"Another soldier active in the swamps of East Rapides and Concordia parishes was David C. Paul, captain of Paul’s Rangers. One description of him was that: "...Jayhawkers were killed wherever found and without consideration..." Paul’s reputation for severe retribution against the Jayhawkers enabled him later to be elected sheriff of Rapides Parish."

A lady from our church, a descendent of his, provided me with this information. She even gave the name and author of the book she got it from. Do you think the author of this information was going on "family tradition" type information, especially in regards to David Paul being promoted to Captain and the Company ever being reffered to as "Paul's Rangers"?
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Also, have you ever heard the reason why he wasn't buried in his church cemetery?...

"The reason Capt. Paul was buried on the Henry Long property is that he wanted
the Indian who had served with him as deputy (and perhaps during the war) to
be buried with him. When the Indian died there were objections to his burial
in the Paul Cemetery that is located inside a fence in the Catholic Cemetery.
Some say the family objected and some believe the church members objected to
"an Indian being buried on holy ground." Whatever the reason, Capt. Paul
secured land on the Long homestead. The Indian, whose name has been lost to
time, along with Capt. Paul and his wife are buried here."

From: Historic Hineston; Don C. Marler, Dogwood Press: Woodville, Texas, 1991, p. 98

Seems there has been some confusion in some of the info folks are sending me about the 3rd La. Ca. so I don't know to take this at face value or not. Hey, if it came off the internet it has to be true, right? LOL!