Victor Joseph St. Martin

He was raised in and near Donaldsonville, Louisiana, and was Ascension Parish clerk. In May 1862, at the outbreak of War, he joined the Phoenix Company which mustered into service in June as Company K of the 8th Infantry. St. Martin was First Lieutenant.

He was on recruiting duty for the Regiment in Louisiana in February and March 1862, but returned to combat service for the Shenandoah Valley Campaign (May-June 1862), in the Seven Days (June), at Cedar Mountain and Second Manassas (August), and into Maryland. He was promoted to Captain and command of the Company in June 1862.

The 8th Louisiana was at Harpers Ferry and fought with the rest of Hays' Brigade in the Cornfield at Antietam early in the morning of 17 September 1862. Captain St. Martin was wounded "severely" there, and captured. He signed a parole on 4 October and was formally exchanged on 5 November.

He fought with the regiment at Frederickburg (December) and Chancellorsville (May 1863) before heading for Gettysburg. He was killed there in action on Cemetery Hill on 2 July 1863.

He may have been originally buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, VA.

Biographical basics and the photo above, from a family CDV, are courtesy GGGrandson Erik Himmel. Additional details from Wayne Cosby. Thanks to Anthony Normand for the correction to his death place (Cemetery Hill vs Ridge).

See also a more detailed presentation on the Captain at behind AotW.

08/02/1828; Donaldsonville, LA

07/02/1863; Gettysburg, PA; burial in Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland