A Civil War Biography

Louis Hebert

Hebert was born on 13 March 1820 in Iberville Parish, Louisiana. Belonging to the wealthy class of Louisiana sugar planters, Hebert was schooled at home by private tutors before attending Jefferson College in Louisiana then West Point. He graduated 3rd in the West Point class of 1845.

Posted to the engineers, Hebert was assigned as the assistant engineer in the construction of Fort Livingston. Following the fort's completion in 1846 Hebert resigned his commission to manage the family sugar business. He became an officer in the state militia; was elected to the state senate; and was named chief engineer of Louisiana.

When the civil war began Hebert entered Confederate service as the colonel of the 3rd Louisiana Infantry. The 3rd LA became part of the brigade commanded by Brigadier General Ben McCulloch and saw its first action at Wilson's Creek. At Elkhorn Tavern, on 8 March 1862, Hebert, along with most of the 3rd LA were captured. Hebert was exchanged on 26 May 1862 and promoted to brigadier general. He was given command of the 2nd Brigade of Brigadier General Henry Little's 1st Division in Major General Sterling Price's Army of the West. Hebert fought at Iuka, Corinth, and was surrendered with the garrison at Vicksburg.

Following his second exchange Hebert was transferred to the Army of Tennessee then sent to North Carolina. He commanded the heavy artillery at Fort Fisher and served as North Carolina's chief engineer for the Confederate War Department until the end of the war. Hebert returned to Louisiana where he edited a newspaper and taught at private schools. He died 7 January 1901 in St. Martin Parish.

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