Corps d'Afrique

Military Images, Mar/Apr 2001

On May 1, 1863, XIX Corps General Orders No. 40 proclaimed that, "The Major General commanding the Department proposes the organization of a corps d'armee of colored troops, to be designated as the `Corps d'Afrique.' It will consist ultimately of eighteen regiments, representing all arms - Infantry, Artillery, and Cavalry, organized in three Divisions of three Brigades each, with appropriate corps of Engineers and flying Hospitals for each Division ....."

Officers were largely white and uniforms were U.S. regulation styles. At its maximum strength, the Corps contained five engineer regiments, four of which were recruited in New Orleans.

The 1 st was organized at Camp Parapet, Louisiana, April 28, 1863, and saw duty at the Siege of Port Hudson, the Sabine Pass Expedition, the "Teche" Campaign, and off the Texas coast from October to April 1864. That month the regiment was redesignated the 95th U.S. Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.). As the 95th it was attached to the Engineers Brigade, XIII Corps, in the Department of the Gulf until it was consolidated with the 87th U.S.C.T. in November 1864. The 87th, which saw duty in Texas, was consolidated with the 84th U.S.C.T. in August 1865. Under this designation it saw service in northern Louisiana until mustered out in March 1866.

The 2d was organized in New Orleans in August 1863, where it did duty until it was sent to Mattagorda Bay, Texas, to erect field works. It was redesignated the 96th U.S.C.T. April 4, 1864. As the 96th it was sent to Louisiana until July 1864 when it was sent to Alabama to see service around Mobile Bay. It was stationed there until mustered out January 29, 1866.

The 3d Regiment was organized in New Orleans in August 1863 and was sent to Texas that October. It did duty there until March 1864, then saw service building roads and laying pontoon bridges during the Red River Campaign at Vermillionville Bayou and Cane River. The unit was redesignated the 97th U.S.C.T. in April 1864.

Afterwards it was sent to Mobile Bay, Alabama, being stationed at various points around there until mustered out April 6, 1866.

The 4th Regiment was organized in New Orleans in September 1863, doing duty in that area thereafter. It was redesignated the 98th U.S.C.T. in April 1864, and consolidated with the 78th U.S.C.T. in August 1865. It was mustered out January 6, 1866.

The 5th Regiment was organized in February 1864 and saw service as bridge builders during the Red River Campaign. It was redesignated the 99th U.S.C.T. in April 1864. After Red River it was returned to New Orleans and then went to southern Florida, where it served in operations near St. Marks and then went into garrison duty until mustered out April 23, 1866.