Hugh,

Yes the new Milita act of 1862 did create chaos among existing milita units. But the French Brigade did not exist prior to 4 March 1862. According to Francis Balace's Les Unités Belges de la Milice Louisianaise, it was the addition of Belgian and Swiss units to the French Legion that created such a problem that the European Brigade was created. In response, the Colonel of the French Legion (Rochereau) pressed for creation of a separate French Brigade, which was formed on 4 March 1862. Thus, prior to spring 1862 the French Brigade did not exist. It seems likely, based on Balace's work, units that eventually resided in either the French Brigade and European Brigade had co-existed in a third formation until the creation of the two brigades. In short, it was not the milita act of 23 Jan 1862 that created the two new Brigades, but a clash of cultures among the Europeans (go figure). According to Booth's info in Col. Rochereau's data -- the French Legion (future 1st Regt, French Bde) was in the Louisiana Legion in late 1861. Thus, my original question. Was the Louisiana Legion the 3rd brigade spoken of by Lonn and press in spring 1862?