Mercer, James W.

The 5th Louisiana Infantry Regiment was recruited in New Orleans and the parishes of St. Bernard, Bienville, De Soto, Lafourche, and Ouachita. It was sent to Virginia and assigned to the Department of the Peninsula in 1861 with 744 men. During the war it was attached to the Army of Northern Virginia and served in its campaigns. Only one officer and 18 men surrendered in April 1865.

From the description of James Mercer letter, 1862 Mar. 17. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 712066771