The first Civil War soldier in my lineage that I discovered was Napoleon Melancon, private, 26th Louisiana Infantry.  Since making this discovery, learning about the history and the men who comprised this unit has been one of my interests.  It is from this research that I discovered Confederate pension applications and their usefulness in providing a picture of the men of the unit, as well as the social condition of the soldiers in the early part of the twentieth century.

Napoleon Melancon:  He was a private who enlisted in March, 1862 and reported to Camp Moore, north of New Orleans, for training.  His application includes his parole slip from Vicksburg.  He was slightly wounded in the leg at Chickasaw Bayou, and served as Constable for Youngsville, Louisiana until his failing health rendered him unable to earn a living.  He applied for a pension twice, both in 1899, but was apparently rejected.  He died 21 Feb 1902, leaving two children aged 2 and 4 at home.

Euphemie Melancon:  She was the (third) wife of Napoleon Melancon, and applied for a pension in 22 Feb 1902, the day after Napoleon died.  This was rejected because she was no married to Napoleon prior to 1870.  She reapplied in 1916, and this time was granted a pension, however she changed the marriage date from 1891 to 1888 (the year of the death of Napoleon's second wife, Marie Estelle Hulot).  She may changed the date in order to be married before the time allowed by the law.  I still need research this fact.  Regardless, her pension was granted and she lived until 30 Nov, 1938.

Numa Morvant:  This file has a wealth of information, including much information on his family and children.  He was a private and was also paroled at Vicksburg.  His pension was filed in 1899, but apparently not granted until after 1907 based on the dates of some of the documents.  He died 9 Dec 1921, and his file includes an affidavit with all his children signing.  He named one of his children, Hazard, after Lt Hazard Eastin, one of the company officers.

    For more information on the 26th Louisiana Infantry, or any other Louisiana unit that was comprised of Acadians, please visit www.AcadiansinGray.com.  This site is a wealth of information on Louisiana Confederate units, focusing in on the role played by the Acadians.  Much information can be found here, including partial muster rolls, as well as some information on individual soldiers.