USA > Alabama > Montgomery County > Montgomery > Directory of the city of Montgomery, and historical sketches of Alabama soldiers > Part 11
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The 8th was present at this battle and held as part of the reserve, but it did not actively participate in the conflict. Indeed, so severe had been its losses in the previous battles, that its number of effective men barely equaled a company .- Alter this battle, the 8th, with the rest of the brigade, were marched to camps near Richmond. Lieut. Colonel Herbert, in the meantime, having been exchang- ed, took command. They remained here urtil the 10th of August, by which time the ranks had been much strengthened by new recruits and the return of the slightly wounded and discharged from hospitals.
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The regiment was now marched northward to meet the threatened attack of Pope from the Rappahannock. On this service much heavy and destructive skirmishing took place. On the - day of August occurred the second battle of Manassas.
On this field the 8th fully sustained its dearly earned reputation for invincibil- ity. Its numbers again being respectable, it delivered its destructive fire into the Yankee invaders, covering the ground with their gay and tinseled uniforms .- They charged-the enemy fled, and their bullet-torn flag again floated in victory ! In this action the regiment lost 60 men.
The next duty it performed was to assist i" the capture of Harper's Ferry .- The 8th then marched into Maryland and took part in the desperate battle of Shars purg.
Here again the metal of the regiment was fully tested. Outnumbered three to one on the part of the field where it fought-a heavy force of infantry and who.e batteries of artillery firing upon their ranks-firmly they held their ground and steadily they delivered a destructive fire upon the heavy lines of the foe. Like the old French guard, every man seemed to know "how to die, but not to surren- der." It was only when ordered that these veterans, black with powder and wearied with the labor; f slaughter, fell back from the point they defended .-- Heaps of slaughtered Yankees in their front attested the accuracy and efficiency of their fire. Its loss in this engagement was 67.
After this engagement, Longstreet's corps fell back into Virginia. After many marches and counter-marches, his headquartes were. on the 20th November, near Fredericksburg ; and here, on the 13th Decemb: r, 1862, was fought the bat- tle of Fredericksburg
Colonel Royston, recovered of his wounds, was now in command. Our position here was a strong one-the lofty hills which surround Fredericksburg being very difficult to be carried.
Burnside, relying upon his numerical strength and his powerful artillery, boldly crossed the river and threw an immense force of infantry upon Lee's right and centre. Boldly the enemy approached our Ine, until in exact and cer- tain range of musket fire, when all our eleme ts of destruction seemed to open on them. Ranks upon ranks fell in quick succession-thousands of killed and wound- ed, horrible heaps of maogled humanity, were in view! Staggered, dismayed and demoralized, the survivors fled for safety-leaving us a cheap victory. In this action the 8th was upon the extreme left of the line and lost very few, as the attack was not heavy at this point. After this battle, the 8th remained on the Rappahannock, chiefly engaged in picke duty, until 30th April, 1863.
The " Battle of Chancelorsville" may be said to have commenced on the 30th of April and ended the 3d of May. The battles of Mary's Heights, Salem Church and Chancelorsville, though each a separate conflict and at different times, are all known as the battle of Chancelorsville.
On the morning of the 3d of May. Genera Sedgw ck, in command of the enemy's forces on this part of the line, succeeded in crossing the river below Fredericks- burg, and, making an attack with a heavy force ; he drove Gen. Barksdale, after a stubborn resistance, from the strong position of Mary's Heights. This success compelled Gen. Wilcox to fall back from his position to a point six miles east, known as Sa em Church. Here wire united the brigades of Wilcox, Mahone, Sims and Kershaw. Wilcox's brigade was posted on the road by which the ene- my advanced, and, for this reason, was the force chiefly engaged in the battle. The Yankees came forward rapidly with a force of twenty-five thousand men, in pursuit as they supposed, of a fleeing enemy. Never was an army more conf. dent of victory. One regiment fours manifested a little want of discipline ; but when the enemy were within forty yards, the brigad- fired and the advance line of the foe was annihila ed. The 8th, 9th and 11th regiments charged, as did all the brigade, and the enemy commenced a precipitate retreat, which they con- tinued uitil across the river.
Th : killed and wounded of the enemy were very numerous. Wilcox's brigade captured 1,500 prisoners. In this action the 8th lost 58 men. Colonel Royston was dange ously wounded, and the gallant Captain Mccrary, was killed.
On other fields of deadly conflict-amidst booming cannon and sulphurous smoke -- the battle browned 8th, with their muskets, discussed Southern Rights,
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SEVENTEENTH ALABAMA REGIMENT INFANTRY.
This Regiment was organized in Aug ist, 1861, at Montgomery, Alabama, under the following field officers : Colonel Thos. H. Watts, Lieutenant Colonel R. C. Far- riss, Major V. S. Murphey. It consisted of three companies from Butler County, commanded by Captains T. J. Burnett, W. D. Perryman and J. Dean-one from Lowndes, Captain, E. P. Holcombe ; Coosa Captain T. d. Bragg ; Pike, Captain A. M. Collins ; Russell, Captain Thomas Ragland; Monroe, Captain W. W. McMillan ; Montgomery, Captain A. L OBrien. After the organization was perfected the regiment moved to Camp Davis near Cross Keys for the purpose of drilling, where they received the utmost kindness from the warm hearted citizens of that vicinity. November 14th, ordered to Pensacola and assigned to Gladden's brigade. Was present at the bombardment of November 21-t and 22d 1861, and January 1st, 1862. In March, 1862, ordered to Bethel station, Tennessee ; remained there a few days scouting, and fell back to Corinth with the main body of General L. Polk's command.
In the latter part of March Colonel Watts resigned to accept the position of Attorney General in Mr. Davis' cabinet, honored and loved by his entire com- mand. The regiment under command of Lieutenant Colonel R. C. Fariss, assist- ed by Captains Holcombe and Burnett, participated in the battle of Shiloh on the 6th and 7th of April, sustaining a loss of 125 killed and wounded. Again at the battle o Farmington, sustaining a slight loss.
When Bragg's army moved into Kentucky the 17th, 18th, and 21st Alabama regiments, depleted by sickness and casualties of battle, were sent to Mobile. The 17th was changed to an artillery regiment and took charge of Picto Island and Bay-shore batteries.
Colonel R. C. Fariss resigned. V. S. Murphey was promoted Colonel ; E. P. Holcombe, Lieutenant Colonel ; T. J. Burnett, Major. C. E. Sadler succeeded Holcombe, and L A McLane, Burnett, in their companies. The regiment remain- ed on artillery duty until March, 1894. While at Mobile they were commanded successively by Major General J. H. Forrey, Major General S. B. Buckner, Major General D. H. Maury, Brigadier Generals Slaughter and Cantey.
In March, 1864, a division was organized at Pollard, Alabama, under command of Brigadier General Cantey, consisting of an Arkansas brigade under General Reynolds ; a Mississippi brigade under General Sears and an Alabama brigade consisting of the 17th, 29th, 21st Alabama and 37th Mississippi Regiments, under Colonel V. S. Murphey. These regiments were commanded by Lieut. Colonel Holcombe, Colonel John F Connelly, Colonel Anderson and Colonel O. S. Holland. General Sears' brigade was detached afterwards, and the other two were order- e : to Rome, Georgia; remained in Rome a few days, and were ordered to Resaca, which place the brigade arrived in time to renel che assault made by Sherman's advance, on the 9th, and saved the railroad bridge over the Ostanaula river- loss small. On the 12th 13th, and 14th, engaged in the battle of Resaca. On the first day, Lieutenant Colonel Holcombe, commanding regiment, was badly wounded ; Major Burnett succeeded him in command. On the 14th, Lieutenant Parker was killed in a charge.
The regimen: had a full share in all the trials hardships, &o, of the memorable campaign from Resaca to Jonesboro'; fighting almost daily at Cassville, New Hope. Kennesaw Mountain, Lost Mountain, Atlanta, &c., Major Burnett com- manding, until severely wounded on the 28 Jul., 1864. Captain O'bri n also badly wounded. On the 20th July, at Peach tree Cre k, the regiment lost 130 killed and wounded-two commissioned officers, Lieutenants Andrews and Ham- briek. On the 28th of July at the Poor House, 180 killed and wounded, Killed, Captain T. Ragland : Lientenants McMillan, Harrison, wounded; Burnet!, OBrien and Reese Halpin, died afterwards.
The entire loss in kibed and wounded from Lesara to Lovejoy's station. amounted to 586 men and officers. The regiment went into Tennessee under Gen- eral Hood in fall and winter of 1864 --- engaged in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30th, loosing 19 officers out of 21 and -- privates. A remnant engagd in the battle of Nashville, December 15th, and 16th, was engaged in the fight at, Bentonville, North Carolina. Surrendered at Greensboro', April 18, 1865.
Canty's Brigade was alternately commanded by Colonels Murphey. O'Neal and General Shelly.
[NOTE .- The writer of this brief sketch does not propose to be accurate, as if is done from memory.]
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THIRTY-FIRST ALABAMA REGIMENT INF.
The men who composed this regiment came from the counties of Montgomery, Shelby, Talladega, Randolph, Calhoun, St. Clair, Cherokee and De Kalb. It was organized at Talladega on the 16th of April, 1862, by the election of D. R. Hund- ley, Colonel; T. M. Arrington Lieut Colonel ; and G. W. Mattison, Major. who re- mained its field officers to the closing scenes of the war. About the Ist of May, it was sent to General Kirby Smith at Knoxville-being then upwards of 1100 strong-and remained with him in East Tennessee during the summer ; and in the fall of that year became a part of Barton's Brigade, participating in the battle of Tazewell and the investment of Cumberland Gap under General Stephenson .- After the abandonment of the Gap by the enemy, it went into Kentucky as far as Frankfort under the 'atter General, his command being then a part of General Bragg's army. After the retreat from Kentucky, as a part of Stephenson's Di- vision, it was transferred to Vicksburg to reinforce General Pemberton. In the Spring of 1863 it became a part of Tracey's Brigade, and participated in the bat- tle of Port Gibson. After the fall of General Tracey, Stephen D. Lee took com- mand of the Brigade, and under him it participated in the battle of Baker's Creek, and the seige of Vicksburg, and was surrendered with the rest of the army. Upon the exchange of prisoners this regiment re-assembled at Demopolis in the fall of that year-became a part of Pettus' Brigade (which was composed of the 21st, 23d, 31st and 46th Alabama Regiments,) and was soon after sent to General Bragg at Chattanooga, where it participated in the battles of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. It thence shared the fortunes of the army of Tennessee-was with Johnston in his retreat t" Atlanta-taking part in all the principal engagements-and went with Hood on his march to Nashville. After the return of the army to North Mississippi, Pettus' Brigade was sent to North Carolina, and took part in the battles of Kingston and Bentonville, and was finally surrendered with General Johnston's army.
This brief outline has not given even the names of all the battles in which the 31st Regiment was engaged-and, of course, can give no conception of its pa- tience in the midst of toil, suffering, and privation, or its dauntless courage in the the midst of perils. Its roll of gallant dead who fell in action, which cannot be given here, is its best eulogy. Whether fighting in the open field as at Port Gib- son-or defending entrenchments as at Vicksburg-or charging breastworks. as at Columbia ; or resi -ting charges of cavalry, as on the retreat from Nashville ; it always proved itself worthy the State from whence it came and the noble cause it struggled 10 up oid.
FORTY-FIRST REGIMENT ALABAMA INF.
The Forty-first Alabama Regiment was in the Battle of Murfreesboro in Han- son's Brigade, and lost 187 killed and wounded. General Hanson was killed and Brigadier General B. H. Helm, of Kentucky, was assigned to the command of the Brigade. In May, 1863, with the balance of Breckinridges' Division, the 41st Alabama, with Helm's Brigade, was transferred to Jackson, Mississippi, and was with General Joseph E. Johnston on the Big Black and in the battles around Jack- son in July, 1863. In August, 1863, the whole of Brecki ridges' Division returned to General Bragg's army at Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was in the battle of . Chickamauga on the 19th and 20th September, 1863, in which battle the 41st Ala- bama lost 186 killed and wounded. When President Davis visited Missionary Ridge in October, 1863, the 41st Alabama was transferred by his order to Gracie's Alabama Brigade, and the Brigade was immediately ordered to East Tennessee with General Longstreet, and was in all that memorable and terrible campaign, and in which the Regiment sustained great losses.
In April, 1864, Gracie's Brigade, composed of 41st, 43d, 59th, 60th Alabama Regiments and 23 : Alabama Battalion, was transferred to Richmond, Virginia, and was in the battles in front of Richmond and on the Chickahominy in May 1864, and was also in the great battle of Drewry's Bluff on the 16th May, 1864. This Brigade was afterwards in the trenches in front of Petersburg and in all the engagements there from the 17th June, 1864, to the 20th March, 1865, and waspre- sent at General Grant's elebrated "explosion" on the 30th July, 1864.
On the 20th March 1865, the Brigade was transferred to the extreme right of the
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army, and was in all the battles there until the final retreat of General Lee, on the 2nd of April, and was also in the daily engagements occuring during the re- treat, and was present at the surrender at Appomattox Court House on 10th April, 1865, having sustained very heavy losses in killed and wounded.
On the 25th March, 1865, at the battle of Haicher's Run, the Brigade was com- manded by Brigadier General Moody, and subsequently, until the final surrender of the Army. it was commanded by that gallan and distinguished officer, Colonel M. L. Stansel of the ilst Alabama.
It is worthy of remark and greatly to the credit of this Brigade, that it did the last fighting done by the great and immortal army of Virginia, and ceased firing under the flag of truce announcing the surrender of the army. The history of the Brigade is the history of each Regiment of which it was composed.
The Field officers of the Regiments composing Grazie's Brigade (afterwards Moody's) were as follows : 41st Ala., Col. M. L. Stansel, Lieutenant Colonel T. G. Trimmier (killed March 31, 1865,) Major L. T. Hudgins (killed June 17th 1864) and succeeded by Major J. M. Jeffries ; 43d Alabama, Colonel T. M. Moody (promo- ted,) and succeeded by Colonel J J. Jolly, and Major Mims; 59th Alabama, Col- onel Bolling Hall, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel Huguly, Major Crumpler ; 60th Alabama Colonel J. W. A. Sanford, Lieutenant Colonel D. S. Troy, Major Hatch Cook. (kil- Jed March 31, 1865.) 23d Alabama Battalion-Major N. Stallworth.
SIXTIETH REGIMENT ALABAMA INFANTRY.
.0 The sixtieth regiment of Alabama infantry entered the service of the Confederate States as a part of Milliard's Legion. This Legion, consisting of three battalions of infantry. one of cavalry, and one of artillery was organized at Montgomery, Alabama, by Colonel H. W. Hilliard, on the 25th day of June, 1862. These battalions were known as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The first, consisting of seven companies, was under the command of Lieutenant colonel Jack Thorington, with John H. Holt as major ; the 2nd, having six companies, was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Bolling Hall, Jr., with W. Stubblefied as major ; the 3d was composed of six companies, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel J. W. A. Sanford, with Hatch Cook as Major ; and the 4th, consisting originally of three companies, was under command of Major Reeves. The companies of this battalion were subsequently divided, so as to make five, and all but one was converted into infantry
The history of the larger number of the troops, forming the 60th Alabama, is identical, or nearly so. with that of "Hilliard's Alabama Legion." To give, therefore, even a sketch of their career, it will be necessary to follow the Legion through its brief but arduous existence, which was terminated in the midst of Longtreet's celebrated winter campaign in East Tennessee
The legion remained in Montgomery after its formation until July 8th. 1862. when it went by railroad to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where it was stationed until August 4th ; it was thence moved by railroad. to Knoxville; and took up the line of march from that city for Cumberland Gap, on the 12th of that month. After halting at Tazewell a few days, it joined the forces of major General Stevenson, then beseiging Cumberland Gap. On the 18th of September. it entered that stronghold. After occupying that place for & fortnight, it set out on the afternoon of October 2d, to re-enforce the army then invading Kentucky, and united with the main body of our army just after the battle of Perryville. Soon after General Bragg determined to retire from Kentucky, and the legion made a part of the rear guard in that famous retreat. It arrived at Cumberland Gap on the afternoon of the 22d of October, having undergone with great fortitude, sufferings, hardships and privations, seldom paralleled in the recent war.
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On the 4th day of November. the legion set out for Knoxville. It remained there a few days and continued its march to Loudon, thence it was transported to Bridgeport, and after a brief interval, back again to Knox- ville. From that place the battalions were sent to different stations. The Ist battalion spent the winter at Clinton and at Big freek Gap; and the third passed it at Clinton. Kingston, and at Knoxville.
During the winter the legion became a part of the brigade, commanded by Brigadier General 4. Gracie, Jr. And between the 4th and 10th of April, 1863, all the battalions assembled at Lee's Springs (under the com- mand of Colonel Jack Thorington, who had been promoted. vice Colonel Hilliard, resigned.) About the 16th of April, the command moved to Cumberland Gap. Remaining there a short time it marched to Bean's Station, and thence to Morristown. It was ordered back again to Cum- berland Gap, and arrived there on the 22d of May. The Ist and 3d battal- ions were on duty at that point until the 9th of August, and then marched, via Strawberry Plains, Knoxville and Turkey Creek, to Loudon, where it remained a few days.
On the Ist of September, with the remainder of Buckner's Corps, the legion began the evacuation of East Tennessee, and frequently marched night and day.
Participating in the chase of the enemy in Mc Lemore's Cove, it arrived at Lafayette, Georgia, about the middle of September. It had marched since it left Cumberland Gap, three hundred miles. After resting a short time, it set out in search of the enemy and found him on the evening of the 18th of September, on the banks of the Chickamauga. On the 19th, the legion was held in reserve ; but in the afternoon of the 20th, it joined battle. The first battalion carried 230 meu into action, and lost 168, in killed, wounded and missing. The third battalion went in with 219, rank and file, and lost 50 in killed and wounded ; (the loss sustained by the Ist and 3d battalion is only mentioned, because they composed the 60th Alabama regiment.) Among the mortally wounded of the Ist battalion, was the gallant and accomplished Lieutenant Colonel John H. Holt. Major Daniel S. Troy was afterwards promoted to the command of that battalion.
On the 22d of September. the legion moved from the battlefield to Mis- sionary Ridge, and remained in front of Chattanooga. under the guns of the enemy. until the 22d of November. Ou that day it was put in motion to re-enforce Lieutenant General Longstreet, then besieging Knoxville. When it arrived at Charlestown. Tennessee, on the 23rd of November. 1863, (Col. Thorington having resigned). the battalions were united in regiments.
The third battalion, and four companies. A B C and D. of the first battal- ion, composed the 60th Alabama regiment. Its field officers were, Colonel John W. A. Sanford, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel S. Troy, and Major Hatch Cook. Its rolls showed an aggregate, present and absent, of 752 men. Of this number some died of, and many were disabled by. their wounds received at Chickamauga. Ater a hard march. the regiment reached Knoxville in time to be engaged in the gallant but unsuccessful attempt to carry that place by storm, on the 29th of November. On the night of December 4th, the regiment, with the remainder of Longstreet's corps, withdrew from Knox- ville ; and marching towards South Western Virginia for several days, halted near Rogersville. it remained there until the dawn of the 14th of December, when it, with a part of the army, re-traced its steps towards Bean's station, where it found the enemy strongly posted in the afternoon of that day. After a severe engagement of several hours, the enemy, under
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General Shackelford. was driven from the field. In this affair the 60th Ala- bama regiment bore the brunt of the engagement, and lost more men than any body of troops engaged. This was owing to the fact that it was moved forward six or eight hundred yards, through an open space, exposed to a murderous fire of artillery and small arms, to dislodge a regiment posted in a large brick tavern and out-houses. Its charge was brilliant and successful.
From December 14th. 1863, until about April 26th, 1864, the regiment was in East, Tennessee, and almost constantly in motion. It marched from the battle field to Morristown, thence to Dandridge, thence to Brabson's Ferry, on the French Broad, thence to Lick creek. From Lick creek, it went to Zollicoffer, and from that place to Abingdon, Virginia, During the campaign, the troops were stationary no where long enough to complete winter quarters, and being scantily supplied with blankets, shoes and clothing, they suffered greatly from inclemency of the weather,
It is doubtful whether any portion of the Confederate army ever suffered greater hardships and privations than were endured by our troops in Long- street's memorable campaign in East Tennessee
From Abingdon, Gracie's brigade (of which this regiment was a part) was transported to Richmond. It arrived there on the 20th of April, 1864, and encamped in its vicinity until May 6th, when it was ordered to Drewry's Bluff. At that point, it skirmished with Butler's Forces on the 9th and 10th. At midnight of the 11th of May, the regiment was marched rapidly back to Richmond, and early on the morning of the 12th, skirmisbed with Sheridan's troops, in front of that city. There it had only 8 men wounded. On the 14th, it was ordered again to Drewry's Bluff, and on the 16th participated in the achievement of the brilliant victory General Beauregard won over the enemy. On that occasion, this regiment occupied the extreme left in the first line of the Confederate army, and behaved so well, that General Gracie complimented it on the field for its gallant conduct
After following the enemy, and confronting him in his retreat at Bermuda Hundreds, until the 20th of May, Gracie's brigade was ordered to Chafin's farm.
On the 21st, the GOth Alabama regiment was detached and placed on duty in the city of Richmond. It remained about that place, until June 19, when it was ordered by Licut. General Ewell to Bottom's Bridge, to support a battery of artillery, and to co-operate with General Hampton. A few days afterwards, it was sent to New Market, and temporarily attached to the brigade of General Custis Lee-then confronting the Federal forces at Deep Bottom. About sunset of the 7th of July, this regiment took up the line of march, to rejoin Gracie's brigade at Petersburg. It arrived there on the 8th, and at dark on the 9th of July, entered the trenches around the city. It held that position until March 14th, 1865, a period of nine months. During that time it was exposed to an almost incessant fire of musketry ; and to daily cannonades and bombardments of the most furious character. Conse- quently it lost nearly one-third of the men it carried into the trenches
Leaving the trenches on the night of March 14th, 1865, it proceeded to Hatcher's Run, below Petersburg, where it was engaged with the enemy on March 25th. On the 31st day of March, it took part in the battle of White Oak Road-and lost 102 in killed, wounded and missing. Among the form- er, was the gallant Major Hatch Cook, who fell in the early part of the day: while the enemy were retiring before the irresistible attack of four brigades of Anderson's corps : McGowan's South Carolina brigade, Hutton's Virginia brigade, Moody's (Gracie's) brigade, Wise's Virginia brigade.
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