Croatian confederate soldiers, 1861-1865

**hajduk** · 09-14-2011, 12:26 PM

During the American Civil War, many Croatians served as individuals and in organized
Croatian companies. They fought for the South.

Their service was not unusual or accidental, as they were a part of the South in numbers since
the 1760's. They were in Mobile, Alabama; Pascaguala, Mississippi; Harrison Co., Mississippi;
New Orleans, Louisiana; and Plaquemine Parish, Louisiana. A Dalmatian, Juan Matulich, was
selling guns and whiskey to the Indians in the 1760's; another, Marco Givanovich, owned a
pre-Civil War plantation worth over $400,000.

Documents indicate they were known as Slavonians, and the majority came from Dalmatia in
Croatia.

George Petrovich
Gettysburg, July 2, 1863

At 8 a.m. on July 2, 1863, practically the whole of both armies was upon the field at Gettysburg.
The Confederate Army lost 28,063 men as killed, wounded and missing; the Federals 23,049.
Some were Croatian.

Corporal George Petrovich volunteered on July 22, 1861, at Camp Moore, Louisiana, for
Company D, 10th Louisiana Infantry. (The New Orleans Business Directory for 1860 lists George
Petrovich at 111 Chartres Street, with a fruit store.) His enlistment papers state his residence at
New Orleans.

His service record was impressive, and I would like to pay this valiant young Croatian belated
respect by stating the major historical battles he participated in as a Confederate soldier:

Manassas 4 - 16 - 1862
Williamsburg 5 - 4 -- 1862
Savage Station 6 - 29 - 1862
Malvern Hill 7 - 1 -- 1862
Cedar Run 8 - 10 - 1862
Chantilly 9 - 1 -- 1862
Harper's Ferry 9 - 15 - 1862
Fredericksburg No. 12 - 13 1862
Chancelorsville 5 - 2 -- 1863
Winchester 6 - 16 - 1863
Gettysburg 7 - 2 -- 1863

Corporal George Petrovich was wounded at Williamsburg on May 4, 1862. He paid the highest
respect toward his adopted country at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. He died in battle far from his
beloved Dalmatia. Could he be buried at Gettysburg? It would be interesting to know.

In another regiment at Gettysburg, Jelanovich and Danilovich are listed as missing in action.
Croatians served in many areas of the South. Steffano Vidovich was in the Italian (!) Guards
Battalion; Pietro Vukalovich in the European Brigade; and S. Vuskovich in the 21st Alabama
Infantry.

Croatian Confederate Companies

The Confederate organizations of Croatian origin known to the writer were:

Slavonian Rifles 1st Co. E. Cazadores Esp.
Regiment Louisiana Militia
Slavonian Rifles 2nd Co. Cazadores Esp.
Regiment Louisiana Militia
Slavonian Rifles Co. Inf. Battalion Louisiana Legion.
Louisiana Volunteers
Austrian Guards 4th Regiment European Brigade
Louisiana Militia Volunteers
Cognovich's Company 4th Regiment European Brigade
Louisiana Militia Volunteers

A few of the officers were Captain Cognevich, 1st Lt. Mark Mazurano, 2nd Lt. Mateo Radovich,
and 2nd Lt. L. Jovovich.

Croatians have been a part of America and American history from the beginning.
The Northern Yanks called Southern soldiers "Johnny Reb"; some were known as "Johnny
Rebovich."

Abovich, Luca Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Anderson, John Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Antoncich, Thomas Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Arnet, Giorgio Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co La.
Aurich, John Pvt. 1861 European Brig. La.
Bacellich, Stefano Pvt. 1861 Garibaldi Legion La.
Bagale, Rocco Cpl. 1861 Militia La.
Bagatella, Marco Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Balsamo, Erancesco Pvt 1861 Slavonian Rifles La.
Barbarich, Pietro Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Batcha, J. Pvt. 1861 Co. D. Fire Battn. La.
Becir, Ivo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Bejanich, Giorgio Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Beleich, Pietro Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Benejzich, Francisco Pvt. 1861 Cognevich' 5 Co. La.
Benazrich, Antonio Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Bendiss, Mareo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Bendiss, Nikola Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Bosina, Mateo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Bosne, Pablo Pvt. 1861 Slavonian Rifles La.
Breskovich, Antonio Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Bukarich, Giovanni Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Cognevich A. Pvt 1861 Co. A. Fire Battn. La.
Canno, Andrea Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Car, Antonio Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Car, Michiel Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Cataneo, Leonard Pvt. 1861 Cazadores Regt. La.
Chatovich, Elia Pvt 1861 4th Regt. .La.
Chelich, F. A. Pvt. 1863 22nd & 23rd Inf. La.
Crnich, Antonio Sgt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Crnich, Antony Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Chersanac, Giovanni Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Chetkovich, Elia Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Chezovich, Ellia Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Chiona, Giovanni Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Chiona, Guiseppe Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Chiona, Nicolo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Cibilich, Luca Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Cibilich, Mateo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Cognevich, Antonio Cpt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Dabelich, Ellia Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Dablonich, J. Pvt. 1861 Co. D., 1st Inf. La.
Danilovich, Nicole Pvt. 1861 10th Inf. La.
Dobrilovich, Paul Pvt. 1863 Co. B, 22nd Inf. La.
Donguich, Pietro Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Drakori, John Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Drakovich, Giov Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Fabio, S. G. Cpt. 1861 Slavonian Rifles, La.
Ferri , Nieolo Sgt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Fichenich, Peter Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Fizovich, Nicolo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Fortunich, Simun Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Galleniche, Eug Pvt. 1862 Castellano's Btty. La.
Galleniche, J. Pvt. 1862 Castellano's Btty. La.
Galovich, Casimir Cpl. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Gasprizza, Antonio Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Grgurevich, Ivan Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Grgurevich, Marko Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Grgurevich, Michiele l-Lt.1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Glavich, Pietro Cpl. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Glavina, Luka Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Governovich, Pietro 2-Lt1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Granich, Antonio Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Grashich, Louis Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Greysich, Anthony Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Grisich, Gios Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Grisich, Joseph Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Grisich, Luca Cpl. 1861 Coqnevich's Co. La.
Grozovich, Marino Pvt. 1861 Co. I., 10th Inf. La.
Grujsich, Antonio Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Grusich, Louis Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Gugliemich, Pietro Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Guglievina, Mateo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Gvercovich, D. Pvt. 1861 CO. K., 16th Inf. La.
Jelancovich, D. Pvt 1861 Co. I. 10th La. Inf. La.
Jurjevich, Giov Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Jurjevich, N. Cpl. 1861 Slavonian Rifles La.
Jovovich, L. 2-Lt1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Kalugerovich, Luka Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Kalugerovich,Stanisla Sgt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Katich, Giovanni Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Kentra, Giorgio Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Krstelj, Mateo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Kessnich, John Pvt 1861 Musician, 5th Inf. La.
Komaich, Antonio Pvt 1861 Cognevich’s Co La.
Kostranich, Mateo Pvt 1861 Cognevich’s Co La.
Konevich, Mateo Pvt 1861 Cognevich’s Co La.
Kovacevich, Giacomo Pvt 1861 Cognevich’s Co La
Kovacevich, N Cpl 1861 Cognevish’s Co La
Karmelich,Fk. Pvt 1864 Co. A. 22nd Inf. La.
Krstinich, Francis F. Pvt. 1861 Co. A. 14th La.
Krstinich, Frank Cpl. 1861 Co. F. 11th Inf. La.
Lovro, Nicolo Pvt. 1861 Coynevich's Co. La.
Lukass, Giov. Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Luketich, Luca Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Lucich, Mario Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Maranoviche, A. Pvt. 1865 Maddox's Regt., La.
Margaretich, Giorgio Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Marina, Mateo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Markovich, Anthony Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Marunich, Giovanni 2-Lt1861 Slavonian Rifles, La.
Masich, Pietro Pvt. 1861 Cazadores Esp Reg La.
Macanovich, L. Mus. 1861 Slavonian Rifles, La.
Mazurano, Frank Lt . 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Melich, Luke Pvt. 1863 Co. D., 30th Inf. La.
Memed, Ivan Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Merzenich, William Pvt. 1861 Contin Regt. La.
Mejsich, Joseph Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Mikalich, Mateo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Miskovich, Nicolo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Mikalich, D. Sgt. 1861 Slavonian Rifles, La.
Milinovich, Bogdan Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Milinovich, Diodato Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Minarich, lvicola Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Mitrovich, Michiele Pvt. l86l Cognevich's Co. La.
Morett, John M. 2-Lt1861 Slavonian Rifles La.
Mujsich, Guiseppe Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Margaretich, George Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Natupich, Natale Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Nikolovich, Giacomo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Nikicevich, Luke Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Nikolich, Stephen Pvt. 1861 Capt. Homer's Co. Fl.
Perlenda, Giov. Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Persenico, Gio Pvt. 1861 Co. F., Cazadores La.
Pesevich, George Pvt. 1863 Co. B., 23rd Inf. La.
Pesinich, J. Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Petrovich, George Pvt 1861 Co. D., 10th Inf. La.
Pignolo, John B. Cpt. 1861 Slavonian Rifles La.
Popovich, Marco l-Lt.1861 Slavonian Rifles La.
Racich, Nicola Pvt 1861 3rd Co., 6th Regt., La.
Racich, Nicola Pvt. 1861 Cazadores Regt., La.
Radich, Giov Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Radonich, Mateo 2-Lt1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Radovich, Giovanni Pvt. 1861 8th Co., 5th Regt., La.
Radovich, Matthew Lt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Radovich, V. Pvt. 1861 4th Regt., 1st. La.
Radovich, Vincent Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Radulovich, Giov Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Rajnovich, Cristoforo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Ramadanovich, John 2-Lt1861Slavonian Rifles, La.
Roko, Batista Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Rosmarich, Giorgio Pvt. 1861 Cogncsich's Co. La.
Saramania, John Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Savinovich, Giorgio Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Saramania, Giov Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Sherich, Nicolo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Shoria, Giov Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Shortan, Giov Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Skobelj, Luka Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Srisich, G. Musc1861 Slavonian Rifles, La.
Stella, Nikola Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Stiglich, Mateo Pvt. 1862 Co. 2., 5th Regt., La.
Stolich, Pietro Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Svaglich, G. Sgt. 1861 Slavonian Rifles, La.
Svaglich, Guiseppe l-Lt.1861 Slavonian Rifles La.
Tea, Giovanni Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Tepsich, Stefo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Tolankovich, Dominque Pvt. 1861 Co. I., 10th Inf. La.
Tripkovich, Giov Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Vidovich, S. Cpl. 1861 Slavonian Rifles, La.
Vidovich, Steffano Pvt. l86l Co. 4, 6Ch ReyL., La.
Vukalovich, Pietro Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Vujinac, Nicolo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Vuskovich, S. Pvt 1861 21st Ala Inf. Ala.
Zaputorich, Spiro Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Zelenka, Ch. Pvt. 1861 Austria Hansa Gds La.
Zelinich, Francesco Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Zemo, Mateo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Zeniche, Alphonzo Pvt. 1864 La. Cav., La.
Ziger, J. Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Zigovich, Stefo Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Zipkovich, Giov. rvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Ziretich, Fioro Cpl. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.
Zureovich, John Pvt. 1861 Cognevich's Co. La.

REFERENCES

Eterovich, Adam S. "Croatian Confederate Soldiers, Civil War, 1861-1865." Zajednicar, May 6, 1970.
National Archives. Confederate States, 1862- 1865. (George Petrovich Service Record.)
Austrian Guards. 4th Regiment, European Brigade, Louisiana Militia.
Cognovich's Company. 4th Regiment, Louisiana Volunteers.
Slavonian Rifles. Infantry Battalion, Louisiana Legion, Louisiana Volunteers.
Slavonian Rifles. 1st Company E, Cazadores Espanoles Regt., Louisiana Militia.
Slavonian Rifles. 2nd Company, Cazadores Espanoles Regt., Louisiana Militia.