Leroy Augustus Stafford

He was a planter at Greenwood Plantation until 1853, and thereafter at Edgefield Plantation, both in Rapides Parish. During the period 1846-47, L. A. Stafford was Sheriff of Rapides Parish but, enlisted in the US Army for service in the War with Mexico, initially as a private soldier with the "Rapides Volunteers" (Company E, 3d Louisiana Infantry Regiment) and later with Captain Ben McCullough's Texas Rangers.

In 1861, he formed the "Stafford Guards", mustered into CSA service as Company B, 9th Louisiana Infantry. Initially Captain of this company, he was appointed Colonel commanding the 9th in 1862.

He assumed command of the Brigade when General Starke was killed at Sharpsburg on the morning of September 17.

In October 1863 he was appointed Brigadier General and commander of the 2d Louisiana Brigade. He was mortally wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, Va in May 1864.

He was temporarily interred at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, later removed to the family plot at Greenwood.

Sources: Wright papers (Stafford's wife's family), LSU; and Trinity Episcopal Church, Cheneyville - bio sketch online [church website gone 2/2006].

His son George Water Stafford (1844-90) had enlisted in Company D, 9th La, and was (later?) it's Captain.

See also an interesting 1865 legal decision on behalf of his widow regarding his estate. From the Louisiana Democrat, Alexandria, La., 1 Nov 1865; online courtesy of Rootsweb,

His gravesite in Cheneyville, La.

4/13/1822; near Cheneyville, LA

5/8/1864; Richmond, VA; burial in Stafford Cemetery, Cheneyville, Rapides Parish, La