DeGournay, Paul Francois

Born ca. Feb. 1827, Brittany, France, of nobility. Title: Marquis De Gournay de Marcheville. As a young man went to Cuba to manage estates for father. Fought for that island during struggle for independence (1850-51). Came to New Orleans and was editor of Picayune when war began. Married Annette Octavia--, ca. l860; three children. 1860 census: New Orleans, LA; newspaper reporter; w/wife. Quartermaster to the Orleans Artillery at seizure of Ft. Jackson, LA. Raised and outfitted Orleans Independent Artillery at own personal expense. Commissioned CPT, 1861, in Co.E, 1st La.Zouaves. Sent to Pensacola by GEN. Bragg,1861, as attached to Coppens' Zouave Battalion; built and manned batteries at Warrington Harbor. Assigned to Yorktown, VA, 3 Oct 61. Promoted MAJ, 3 Jul 62. Promoted LTC, 31 Mch 63, of 12th La. Batt'n Heavy Arty. Transf'd to Port Hudson and arrived, 4 Sep 62. Surrendered at Port Hudson, 9 Jul 63. Sent to New Orleans on steamer Suffolk. Confined Customs House prison New Orleans. Sent to Governor's Island, New York, 26-28 Aug 63. Transf'd to Johnson's island, 13 Oct 63. Transf'd to Pt Lookout via Baltimore, 9 Feb 64. Transf'd to Ft.Delaware,23 Jun 64. Forw'd to Charleston, SC, 20 Aug 64. Transf'd to Ft Pulaski, GA, 21 Oct 64. Paroled from Fort Pulaski, 5 Dec 64. Many times commended for bravery. After war went back to France for two years. Returned to U.S. and lived in Baltimore where he served 7 years as Vice Consul to France. Member of Maryland Society of Army and Navy of the Confederacy (joined 1893).Taught French, translated books and wrote articles. Editor, Catholic Mirror. Baltimore (1870). Very scholarly and had exalted notions of personal honor. Remained a French citizen. Died 26 Jul 1904, after lengthy illness. Buried in Loudon Park Cem., Baltimore, MD.