I was watching an older episode of HBO’s True Blood series in which Bill Compton, aka Vampire Bill, was addressing a historical society. He mentioned that he served during the Civil War (remember, he’s a vampire) in the 28th Louisiana Infantry, formed in 1862 under a Colonel Gray. Later in the episode, he recalled making his way back home to Bon Temps, when he stopped by a cabin in the woods. The female occupant informed Bill, before turning him into a vampire of course, that her husband was a member of the 13th Louisiana and had fought at Shiloh under Colonel Gibson. What’s so cool about this? Well, other than Bill being a vampire and all, it’s historically accurate. The 28th was raised in 1862 under Colonel Gray (keep in mind there were two 28th LA regiments), and the 13th did fight at Shiloh under Colonel Gibson (who I think was actually in command of his brigade there). Nice going, guys! Now, about the yellow trim on Bill’s uniform jacket…
Harry Smeltzer
Bull Runnings 
It is surprising that they got these two historical units and their commanders correct. However, the 13th Louisiana did not contain any companies from north Louisiana. The writers should have looked at my book!
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I can’t be too hard on the writers for that, Art. After all, she was probably lying about her husband anyway – she’s a vampire, fer chrissakes, and not a particularly nice one. Come to think of it, Bill did have kind of a funny look on his face as she talked about her husband and his regiment.
I think you should get in touch with the writers and sign on as technical advisor – you are after all THE MAN when it comes to LA troops.
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I noticed this too when I saw that episode and it impressed me. On Gibson, he was in command of the brigade at Shiloh. Yeah, the uniforms are pretty bad though, but hey that got the right dialogue though, so kudos for that.
Lee
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Lee, I don’t know if it’s the screenwriters who should be lauded or Charlaine Harris, the author of the Sookie Stackhouse books on which the series is based. She has a website (http://www.charlaineharris.com/), but I can’t see anything there to indicate if she is a “buff”. She is a native Loosanan, though.
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Actually, she is a native of Mississippi (the delta of NW Miss) and now lives in Arkansas. My wife has read most of her vampire series books and brought to my attention their location in NW Louisiana.
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I stand corrected, Art.
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