The Louisiana Tigers was the common nickname for a brigade of infantry in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Although its exact composition changed as the war progressed, the Tigers were a key part of the Army of Northern Virginia and developed a reputation as fearless, hard fighting shock troops.
The origin of the term came from the "Tiger Rifles," a volunteer company raised in the New Orleans area as part of Major Chatham Roberdeau Wheat's battalion of Louisiana infantry. A large number of the men were foreign-born, particularly Irish immigrants, many from the city's wharves and docks. Another large segment were French-speaking Creoles. Many men had previous military experience in local militia units or as filibusters.
During the Gettysburg Campaign, the Tigers were feared by much of the southern Pennsylvania populace, who feared the thievery and drunkenness that were associated with the colorful Louisianians.
During the reorganiztion of Robert E. Lee's army in 1864, Hays's much depleted brigade of Tigers was consolidated with the "Pelican Brigade," another veteran Louisiana brigade. The nickname Tigers eventually came to encompass all Louisiana infantry troops that fought under Lee.
The nickname "Tigers" lives on with the athletic teams of the Louisiana State University.