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2nd Infantry Battalion [also called 1st Special Battalion or Wheat's Tigers] was formed at Camp Walker, near New Orleans, Louisiana, and moved to Camp Moore to complete its reorganization. The battalion was finally ready by June 6th, 1861, with five whole companies of 731. The most memorable Company within this regiment was Company B. They had a reputation for being a hard fighting and tough bunch of men wearing the French inspired Zouave uniform pattern. Because of the Company's infamous reputation for being unmanageable and vicious they were dubbed "Tigers". Over time the nickname Louisiana Tigers was applied to all of the Louisiana units in Virginia. After being ordered to Virginia on June 28th, the battalion became the first Louisiana unit to engage the enemy after they fought a skirmish at Seneca Falls. Most of the men were soldiers of fortune, and water front riff - raff of New Orleans who were experienced fighters. The men played an important role in the Battle of First Manassas on July 21st 1861. They held back the Union flank attack until more troops could come up to support the line. During the battle 8 were killed, 38 were wounded, and 2 were missing. The battalion was assigned to General Richard Taylor's Louisiana brigade along with the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Louisiana regiments later in the month. That winter, the men drilled and did picket duty. Bored with nothing to do, the rowdy bunch from New Orleans were able to supply themselves with spirits. They started to fight with whomever came their way. But they mostly fought among themselves. After drinking a liberal amount if alcohol, two men from Company B struck a superior officer. After a short trial, the two men were executed by firing squad on December 9th. They were the first men executed in the Army of Northern Virginia. The two executed men's bodies were discovered in Centreville Va. when the local McDonalds was expanding their parking lot. In May, 1862, Taylor's brigade joined General Stonewall Jackson's army in the Shenandoah Valley. On May 23rd, the battalion played the major role in the capture of Fort Royal. On June 9th the brigade was engaged at the Battle of Port Republic. Rejoining the Army of Northern Virginia near Richmond, on June 27th the brigade participated in the Battle of Gaine's Mill. In that fight, Major Wheat was killed. After the death of Major Wheat, the men became completely uncooperative and impossible to control. It was highly recommended that the battalion be disbanded. This finally occurred on August 15th,1862. |
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