This is the first time I have visited this web page and am hoping that one of you may have come across some information concerning a somewhat distant relative of mine. He is Lessin Abshire, born 24 Apr 1842 in either Lafayette Parish (most likely) or Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. He was enlisted from Vermilion Parish on 20 Oct 1862 into Company D, 1st Louisiana Heavy Artillery Regiment. His unit was sent almost immediately to Vicksburg and remained there until the end of the siege in July 1863.

What peaked my interest from your posting, George, was the mention that several soldiers were paroled on the 15 of July after arriving in New Orleans. One piece of information I have found lists Lessin as deserting on 15 July 1863, but made no mention of his location at the time. I have since found other documentation listing him as being taken as a POW on July 4th following the surrender of the CSA at Vicksburg.

On one hand, I'm now finding it a bit harder to accept that he was a 'deserter' since he was already a POW. If he did manage to escape, he would be unable to return to his unit as they were also being held as POWs. Then, I couldn't help but notice that the date listed for his desertion corresponds to the same day that you listed CSA soldiers were being paroled at New Orleans.

He was from Vermilion Parish, which would be a long walk, no doubt, but certainly not impossible if he escaped and wanted to return home to his family. I do not yet know if he was wounded at Vicksburg, but NOLA would be the best place to jump ship if he did actually desert!

Does anyone have further information that I could research to maybe find out a bit more of his story? I'll accept whatever the truth may tell me...lol...just want it recorded correctly!

Thanks!
Pera