With respect to the parentage of Frank Offutt, I am confident that you know his family history far better than I do. I did see both the 1850 and 1860 census information and wondered about the lack of mention of an 11 y.o. Frank and a 13 y.o. William (the 21 and 23 y.o.s of the 1860 census). I did note in the 1870 census that a 63 y.o. William lived in St Landry parish (Washington PO) with Evelina L (57 y.o.), Eleanor A (23), M Celeste (20) and Mary E (15). Listed next on the 1870 census, apparently in his own house, was William J Offutt - 33 y.o. (Same 23 y.o. William of 1860 census?). In addition, I noted a William Offatt (25-29 y.o.) in the 1840 census (NARA - East Feliciana, Louisiana - roll 271, page 130, image 550, Family History Library Film 0009690) living in East Feliciana with a white male (0-5), a white female (0-5), a white female (20-29) a white male (30-39) and 5 slaves.

I did see the two Offutt families living in East Feliciana in the censuses of 1840, 1850 and 1860, but did not see a likely candidate for Frank Offutt.

With handwriting and education issues for census takers and people being counted, and the travel and accessibility difficulties that must have existed in the 1800s, there were many mistakes in the counts, errors in names listed, and omissions. These certainly cloud any search. If I find anything else in my wanderings I will let you know.

If you have or find anything on Frank Offutt's time in the 2nd Louisiana Cavalry, other than the CSR cards you have already mentioned, I would really like to hear about it and see the information.

With best regards

Don Parker