Miles' Legion

Miles' Legion was a unit of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. Unlike most Civil War formations, it was a combined arms force composed of more than one type of unit. In this particular case, it was organized as a battalion of seven infantry companies and another of five companies of cavalry at Port Hudson, Louisiana, in the early summer of 1862 under the command of Colonel William R. Miles.

Drawing its ranks from East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, and St. Tammany Parishes, the cavalry fought in Mississippi and Louisiana under Major James T. Coleman, before disbanding in the spring of 1865.

The infantrymen were recruited from Livingston, Orleans and Tangipahoa Parishes. In April and May 1863, 2400 Legion soldiers, including 300 cavalrymen, were assigned to help try to stop Grierson's Raid from reaching Baton Rouge.

Miles' Legion fought in the Siege of Port Hudson under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Frederick B. Brand. During the Battle of Plains Store on May 21, 1863, Confederate and Union forces had already fought and disengaged by the time Colonel Miles arrived with reinforcements from Port Hudson. Nevertheless, late in the day, Miles launched an attack, with some initial success, but was eventually forced to retreat by a counterattack. The unit suffered 89 casualties. On May 26, the infantrymen clashed with the men of the 116th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The following day, the unit manned artillery pieces on the battle line. Along with the rest of the defenders, the battalion surrendered on July 9, 1863. Victorious General Nathaniel P. Banks paroled the enlisted men, but the officers were made prisoners of war. Though the officers were eventually exchanged, the battalion was not reformed.

In April 1862, a "William Bradley" joined Company G at Natchez, Mississippi. However, the soldier was discharged in June when it was discovered that Bradley was a woman.