The CSA Heberts

[Battleline]

Brig. Gen. Paul O. Hebert (b. 1818, d. 1880) Prior to the Civil War, Paul Octave Hebert found great success in just about everything he attempted. Born in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, Dec. 12, 1818, Hebert was at the top of his graduating class at Jefferson College in 1836. He achieved the same class rank at the U.S. Military Academy, topping the West Point Class of 1840. He graduated ahead of such future leaders as William T. Sherman and George Thomas. After a stint as an assistant professor at West Point, Hebert served in the Army Corps of Engineers, working on the Mississippi River in Louisiana. He resigned in 1845, but rejoined the service for the Mexican War with the 14th Infantry Volunteers under Gen. Franklin Pierce. Hebert earned a brevet promotion to colonel for gallantry at the Battle of Molino del Rey. In 1852, Hebert was elected governor of Louisiana, the youngest man to hold that post to that date. While in that office, Hebert addressed education. Legislation establishing free education for whites ages 6-16 was passed. Also, the Seminary of Learning in Alexandria, Louisiana, the Charity Hospital and the State School for the Deaf, Mute and Blind were established. Hebert appointed members of all parties to positions of the government. In early 1861, Hebert was commissioned into Confederate service as colonel of the First Louisiana Artillery. He received another promotion Aug. 17 to brigadier general and was assigned to command in Louisiana. He was not the only brigadier general in the family. His cousin, Louis Hebert, also was a Confederate general. Paul Hebert joined the Trans-Mississippi Department. He was moved around the Department to command different areas. He commanded the Department of Texas, the Galveston defenses, District of West Louisiana and Texas, District of Texas and Territory of Arizona and the Subdistrict of North Louisiana. As a field commander, he was in many skirmishes, but only one action of note. Hebert was at a Federal victory at Milliken’s Bend, Louisiana, June 7, 1863, in which Confederates inflicted many more casualties, but were driven back by naval fire support from two gunboats. For the most part, he was an administrator. His major contribution in that area was in licensing cotton speculators as part of Gen. John Magruder’s “Cotton Order.” After the war, Hebert received a pardon after taking an oath of allegiance. He led part of the state’s Democratic Party which backed Horace Greeley in the presidential race of 1872. Hebert died of cancer in New Orleans, Aug. 29, 1880.

Brig. Gen. Louis Hebert (b. 1820, d. 1901) Prior to the Civil War, Louis Hebert followed in the footsteps of his cousin, Paul O. Hebert. But once the war began, Louis saw much more action, commanding troops from Arkansas to North Carolina. Born March 13, 1820, in Iberville Parish, Louisiana, Hebert was educated at Jefferson College. Following his time there, he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy and graduated third in the Class of 1845. He joined the engineers and helped to construct Fort Livingston. In 1847, Hebert resigned his army commission to take charge of his father’s sugar interests. In the years leading up to the Civil War, Hebert continued his military service as a militia officer. He was elected to the state senate and served as Louisiana’s state engineer. In Confederate service, Hebert was one of three members of his family to achieve the general’s rank. His cousin, Paul Hebert, and brother-in-law, Walter Stevens, also were Confederate generals. Louis Hebert started his Confederate career as colonel of the Third Louisiana Infantry. Sent north, this unit was bloodied during the Confederate victory at Wilson’s Creek, Missouri, Aug. 10, 1861. Gen. Ben McCulloch commended Hebert for that action. Things didn’t go as good at the next major encounter, Elkhorn Tavern (Pea Ridge), Arkansas, March 6-8, 1862. A large part of the Third Louisiana along with Hebert were captured during the battle. Hebert initially was reported as having been killed there along with McCulloch and Col. James McIntosh. Exchanged, Hebert was promoted to brigadier general to rank from May 26, 1862. He commanded the 2nd Brigade of Gen. Henry Little’s division in Gen. Sterling Price’s army. Hebert led his men in action at Iuka, Mississippi (Sept. 19, 1862) and Corinth (Oct. 3-4, 1862), both Federal victories. At the former battle, Hebert’s command was cited for its strong defense. Hebert became ill at the latter battle, causing Gen. Earl Van Dorn to postpone his attack from dawn until 9 a.m. Hebert’s men defended Vicksburg, but surrendered with the fall of the city, July 4, 1863. After being paroled again, Hebert was sent to North Carolina and commanded the heavy artillery at Fort Fisher. He also served as the district engineer there. After the war, Hebert returned to Louisiana, becoming publisher of a paper in St. Martin Parish. He also taught at several schools in Iberville and St. Martin Parish. He died in St. Martin Parish Jan. 7, 1901. Originally buried in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, his remains were moved to a cemetery in Cecilia, Louisiana, in 2002.

[Gil R.]

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