Hello all,
I am searching for some information on "H" Co. LA Fire Infantry. I have a Joseph Powell who was age 47 at enlistment in 1864 (after the call for all men between the age of 16 and 50 was instituted in 1864). A family narrative states that he went into training July of 1864 "7 miles from home," which was in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. I am not sure if Camp Moore was still operational in the summer of 1864, but Camp Moore would have been about 8 miles from the Powell home in the 6th Ward of St. Helena Parish.
Joe Powell was granted a one day furlow in October 1864, when he was captured near his home by federals and sent to Elmira Prison. This is where the trail grows cold (colder?). The family narrative states that Joe Powell was exchanged in February or March of 1865 and died in a Richmond hospital on or about March 10, 1865. Two other residents of St. Helena Parish were captured at the same time as Joe Powell and sent to Elmira. They were in the hospital with Joe Powell and returned his "little Testament" to the family upon release back to St. Helena Parish. No names were given of these two men.
Does anyone know if the "H" Co. LA Fire Infantry would have been taking recruits in 1864 or if this unit operated in Southeastern Louisiana? The Elmira Prison records on line don't mention a "Joe" or "Joseph" Powell, but it does mention a "Jno. J. Powell, a citizen of the state of Louisiana." If captured on furlow, there may not have been any visible sign that Joe Powell was a soldier when he was captured.
Thank you very much for any assistance you can provide.
Craig
cjborne@comcast.net