In 1861, after Louisiana's secession, Governor Thomas Moore issued please for troops to defend the state in the upcoming Civil War. At a meeting in New Orleans on April 22 at the Catholic Institute, 2000 people attended and of those, 1500 signed up. Moore accepted their services.
A new regiment was formed in May 1861, consisting mostly of French Creoles of color. Moore appointed three white officers as commanders and company commanders were appointed from the men of color. The 1st Louisiana Native Guard, as it was called, was the first of any militia in North America to have officers of color.
They offered their services to the Confederate army but were declined. The Louisiana State Legislature passed a law in February 15, 1862 that reorganized the militia into only "...free white males capable of bearing arms..." Therefore, the Native Guard was disbanded.
Governor Moore reinstated them when Confederate forces abandoned New Orleans ahead of Admiral David Farragut entering the Mississippi. The Native Guards were left to fend for themselves. They were officially ordered to disband by General John Lewis April 25, 1862.
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