USA > Alabama > Memorial record of Alabama. A concise account of the state's political, military, professional and industrial progress, together with the personal memoirs of many of its people. Volume I > Part 15
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The Fifty-seventh Alabama was organized at Troy in March. 1863. was stationed for some months at Mobile and Pollard, and then moved to Demopolis. It joined the army in time to share the hardships of the Dalton-Atlanta campaign, and in the battle of Peach Tree Creek was cut to pieces. It moved into Tennessee, fought at Franklin and Nashville, and, returning to North Carolina, was in the battle of Bentonville, after which, its colors were furled. Maj. W. R. Arnold and Capt. Bailey M. Talbot were killed at Peach Tree Creek.
The fifty-ninth Alabama was organized at Montgomery by the consoli- dation of the Second and Fourth battalions of Hilliard's Legion, which had done good service in east Tennessee and Kentucky. The various battalions of the legion were, in November, 1863. divided into the Fifty- ninth and Sixtieth regiments, and the Twenty-third battalion. The first of these regiments was at the investment of Knoxville and the fights at Dandridge and Bean's Station. In April, 1864, reaching Richmond, it took part at Drewry's Bluff and the fight with Sheridan, and was in the trenches of Petersburg and the numerous conflicts in that vicinity till the surrender at Appomatox, where it formed part of Gordon's corps. Lieut. - Col. John D. McLennan and Capt. H. H. Rutledge were killed at Drewry's; Capt. John C. Hendrix and Capt. J. W. Dillard died in the serivce; Capt. Zach Daniel was killed at Hatcher's Run, and Capt. W. D. Walden at Chickamauga.
The Sixtieth Alabama, formed like the preceding one from Hilliard's legion, had a parallel history. It reached Richmond in the spring of 1864, and at Drewry's was complimented on the field by Gen. Gracie. It was in the trenches at Petersburg for eight months and lost continually. Its loss at White Oaks road and at Hatcher's Run was very great. At Appomattox the men of this regiment were rejoicing over a captured bat- tery and a routed foe when the news of the surrender was received. Maj. Hatch Cook of Georgia was killed at White Oaks road, where many of the other officers were wounded; and Capt. David A. Clark died of wounds received at Appomattox.
The, Sixty-first Alabama was organized at Pollard in September, 1863. In January, 1864, it was sent to Virginia. It was under fire at the Wil- derness, where it captured a battery and bravely repulsed the New York Zouaves. At Spottsylvania it lost heavily in killed, wounded and prison- ers. It moved into Maryland with Early, was at Snicker's Gap. Winches- ter and Fisher's Hill. Rejoining the main army, it took its place in the trenches at Petersburg, where it lost continually, and finally surrendered at Appomattox with only twenty-seven men, under Col. A. B. Fannin. Capt. A. D. M3Caskill was killed at the battle of the Wilderness, and Capt
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J. J. Joiner at Hare's Hill. Capt. Porter, captured at Spottsylvania, died in prison.
The Sixty-second Alabama was organized from Lockhart's battalion at Mobile in the latter part of 1864, was stationed at Fort Gaines and there captured, and subjected to very hard imprisonment at Ship island. After being exchanged, it was placed in the garrison at Spanish Fort. where it was in the siege six days before it was relieved by Holtzclaw's brigade. It then served in the defenses of Blakely, and was captured in the assault, but was exchanged in time to be surrendered with the department at Meridian. This regiment was composed of very young men, and was com- plimented in special orders by Gen. Lidell for its conduct at Spanish Fort. Its colonel was Daniel Huger of Mobile.
The Sixty-third Alabama was organized at Blakely, July. 1864, and the officers were nearly all veterans. It remained in the defenses of Mobile until ordered to Spanish Fort in March, 1865, where it served with the Sixty-second in Thomas' brigade of reserves, was relieved and sent to Blakely, where it took part in the privations and perils of the siege, being captured with the fortress and exchanged just before the surrender at Meridian. Capt. Johnson was killed at Spanish Fort; all the other officers were captured at Blakely.
The Sixty-fifth Alabama was organized from the Fourth Alabama bat- talion of reserves at Mobile in November, 1864, and in the following month was sent to repel a raid in east Mississippi, where it remained . several weeks. It was then ordered to report to Gen. Buford at Mont- gomery and retired before Wilson's columns to Girard, where it took part in the battle, losing several in killed and wounded, the remainder of the regiment being there captured.
The Fifty-first, Fifty-third and Fifty-sixth, were regiments of mounted infantry. The Fifty-first was organized in Calhoun county in 1862. or- dered to Tennessee, and was in the battle of Lavergne under Gen. For- rest. It was then transferred to Gen. Wheeler's command and served in the brigades of Gen. Allen or Gen. Hagan. It was in the battle of Mur- freesboro and was in the raid down the Cumberland river, and was in fre- quent skirmishes, protecting Gen. Bragg's communications. It was in the fight at Shelbyville, where it suffered severely. It also fought at Tracy City and Chickamauga.
ALABAMA'S CAVALRY.
After the battle of Chickamauga. Wheeler's cavalry. 3,700 strong, crossed the Tennessee above Chattanooga in the face of a division of cavalry under Gen. George Crook, United States army. Gen. Crook was attacked and discomfited. Rosecrans' trains in the immediate rear of the Federal army were captured. and 1,200 loaded ammunition and provision wagons were destroyed, and 7.000 mules were captured. Forts at McMinnville, Stone river, Shelbyville, and block-houses at minor points were captured, together with 1,500 prisoners. Large depots of supplies were captured
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and destroyed; at McMinnville alone, the supplies of Crittenden's entire corps were destroyed. The railroads and railroad bridges in Tennessee were broken up.
The Confederate cavalry, Alabama soldiers predominating, remained north of the Tennessee, in the rear of Rosecrans' army, for ten days, daily engaging the Federal cavalry under Gens. Stanley, McCook, Mitchell and Crook. They were also constantly engaged in breaking the Federal line of communication, and destroyed army supplies both in depots and in transition. These operations so crippled Rosecrans' army that it was unable to advance out of the defensive works at Chattanooga until re-en- forced two month slater by the armies of Gens. Grant and Sherman from Mississippi and west Tennessee.
After doing immense damage the Confederate cavalry successfully recrossed the Tennessee river and joined Bragg's army at Missionary Ridge. The Alabama cavalry were very distinguished in this expedition, known as the Sequatchee raid, one of the most successful and important of the war.
The Fifty-first took part in the Sequatchee raid. It was also in the force which captured 400 Federals at Marysville, and took part in the investment of Knoxville. It was engaged on Johnston's flank during the retreat to Dalton, fighting nearly every day for three months: and lost heavily at Decatur and Jonesboro. It then moved through Tennessee and harassed Sherman's forces in the Carolinas very effectually. About a week before the close of hostilities, it captured the First Alabama United States regiment. It finally surrendered at Raleigh, N. C. Its first colonel was John T. Morgan, who had entered the war as major of the Fifth Alabama infantry, had risen to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and came back from Virignia with authority to raise a mounted regiment. In November, 1863, he was commissioned a brigadier-general and placed over five regiments of cavalry. He was for some time in command of a division, and operated with Gens. Hood, Longstreet and Johnston. After the war, he returned to the profession of law, and his honored career in public life forms a bright chapter in the history of his state. He has been for many years one of our most distinguished United States senators.
The Fifty third mounted infantry was organized at Montgomery in November, 1862, and proceeded to Mississippi, then to Decatur, Ala .; was in the fights at Thompson's Station, Brentwood, Town Creek, and in the pursuit of Streight. It then joined the main army as part of Kelly's divi- sion under Gen. Wheeler, and was constantly engaged in perilous fighting all the way to Atlanta. It was in the daring raid of August, 1864, in Sherman's rear, which captured 100 men, 1,500 beef cattle and a wagon train; and continued to harass the Federals as they passed through the Carolinas. Its colonel, Moses W. Hannon of Montgomery, was early pro- moted to the command of a brigade, including his own regiment.
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The First Alabama cavalry was organized at Montgomery in Novem- ber, 1861, was ordered to Tennessee and opened the battle of Shiloh. It soon moved into Kentucky, as part of Wheeler's command, and was en- gaged at Perryville, Murfreesboro and many skirmishes. It protected the retreat to Tullahoma and Chattanooga, losing severely at Duck river ;. fought at Chickamauga, Clinton, Knoxville, and was in the Sequatchee raid, and harassed the enemy's front and flank in the Dalton-Atlanta campaign. It was in the brilliant fight at Decatur and took part in the capture of Stoneman's column.
Some account of this great Federal raid will here be appropriate, as it was met and defeated by Confederate cavalry consisting largely of Alabama troops.
Rebellion Records, volume 38, serial No. 76, page 26, give Gen. Sher- man's dispatch, saying he had sent 8,500 men under Stoneman, Garrard and McCook to destroy railroads in the rear of Hood, and then release the Federal prisoners at Macon and the 20,000 prisoners at Americus. The Confederate cavalry met these formidable columns, and after three severe battles, July 28, 29 and 30, defeated them, capturing Gen. Stone- man, five brigade commanders and 3,200 prisoners, together with their horses, arms, equipments, artillery and wagon trains. This so crippled Sherman's cavalry as to materially retard the progress of his campaign.
On page 310, Sherman says, July 31, "Garrard is back. He was sent by Gen. Stoneman to Flat Rock, where he was surrounded by Wheeler's cavalry, but he remained two days, expecting Gen. Stoneman to send him orders, when he broke out to Latimer's."
On page 320, August 1st, Sherman telegraphed to Gen. Halleck: "Col. Brownlow reports from Marietta that he has just reached there, having escaped from a disaster that overtook Gen. McCook's cavalry expedition at Newnan. He reports the expedition reached the railroad * but was overtaken at Newnan by rebel cavalry and infantry, and after a hard fight had to surrender; Col. Harrison was killed. I can hardly believe it, as he had 3,000 picked cavalry. Col. Brownlow commanded one of the regiments, and brought in with him but few men. The loss of this cavalry is a serious one to me." And later in the same day he says: "Col. Brownlow is here and reports that Gen. McCook proceeded accord- ing to his orders, and reached the Macon railroad and destroyed twelve miles and a bridge over a branch of White Water, which, he says, is as long as that over Chattahoochee." "Unfortunately, instead of completing the circuit by the east and north, he then turned back and commenced breaking up the West Point road, about Newnan, when he was attacked by infantry and cavalry in overwhelming force, and Brownlow says all were killed or captured, except such as cut their way out. Nearly 500 are now in Marietta, and he thinks more will get in."
On page 321, August 1st, Gen. Thomas dispatches to Gen. Sherman: "McCook destroyed twelve miles of the Macon railroad." "Unfortunately
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he then turned back on his old route and commenced to destroy the West Point road, when he was attacked on the 30th, near Newnan, by infantry and cavalry in overwhelming numbers, surrounded, and all who did not cut their way through were either killed or captured."
On page 323, August 1st, Col. Parkhurst dispatches to Gen. Whipple: "Col. James P. Brownlow has just come in here with a very few strag- gling cavalry, entirely demoralized. Brownlow is barefooted. He re- ports that our cavalry destroyed the West Point and Macon railroad to such an extent that it will require fifteen days to repair it. "After doing this damage they went to Newnan, Ga., where Gen. Mc- Cook's division was attacked by Kelly's and Humes' divisions of cavalry and a division of infantry, and McCook and his command were nearly all captured."
On page 350, August 4th, Gen. Grant telegraphed to Gen. Sherman: "Richmond papers of yesterday announce the capture of Gen. Stoneman and 500 of his party near Macon, Ga. The capture took place the 31st of July. Have you heard anything of this?"
It will be seen that the Federal officers in their dispatches allude to a division of infantry and overwhelming numbers of Confederates. This is all a mistake. The truth is, the Confederate cavalry was hardly one- third of the Federal force; and the number of prisoners captured exceeded the entire Confederate force.
The First Alabama cavalry also took part in the pursuit of Sherman and fought in nearly every collision of that eventful time. It finally surrendered at Salisbury as part of Allen's division. Its first colonel, James H. Clanton, was, in the spring of 1863, commissioned a brigadier- general and rendered very efficient service throughout the war until cap- tured at Bluff Spring. Fla., in March, 1865. He was succeeded in the command of the regiment by Col. William W. Allen, who was in turn promoted to the command of a brigade, and afterward to a division, being commissioned major-general in March, 1865, a few weeks before the sur- render at Salisbury. Lieut .- Col. Thomas Brown of this regiment was killed at Woodsonville, Ky .; Adjt. Wesley Jones at Fiddler's Spring, Capt. Sidney B. Allen at Murfreesboro, and Capt. George Speed at Noon- day Spring.
The Second Alabama cavalry was organized at Montgomery, May. 1862, and was for some time employed in Florida. It was then ordered to northern Mississippi, and later to Tennessee, taking part in many skirmishes. It fought Grierson at Okalona, and harassed Sherman on his march to and from Mississippi. Joining Gen. Wheeler's command, this regiment performed arduous duty in the Dalton-Atlanta campaign, and lost heavily in the battle of July 22, before Atlanta. It afterward skir- mished in Sherman's rear, fighting almost daily, following him to Greens- boro, N. C .; and escorted President Davis to Georgia, where it surrendered
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at Forsyth, 450 strong. Col. R. Gordon Earle of Calhoun county was killed at Kingston, Ga., and Capt. William L. Allen died in the service.
The Third Alabama cavalry was organized in June, 1862, and was formed mainly of companies which had seen several months of hard service. It accompanied the army into Kentucky and was constantly engaged in the arduous duty of protecting the flank and rear, watching communications, and raiding upon the enemy's trains and outposts. It formed part of Allen's, and afterward of Hagan's, brigade, and was en- gaged at Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Chickamauga, Kingston, Knoxville and many other battles. It fought at Decatur and assisted in the capture of Stoneman's column. It protected Hood's movements and harassed Sherman continually, taking part in the numerous fights along his line of march. Its first colonel, James Hagan of Mobile, was wounded several times, and was promoted to the command of a brigade. Capt. William Cathy was killed at Perryville, Capt. Thomas Norris at Chapel Hill, and Capt. Thomas Lenoir at Resaca. Capt. Augustus Tomlinson died in the service.
Roddy's Fourth Alabama was organized at Tuscumbia in October, 1862, and was sent to middle Tennessee. It opposed Dodge in the valley of the Tennessee and was in the pursuit of Streight. It was engaged most of the time in northern Alabama, repelling raids and making daring attacks. It fought Wilson all the way from Montevallo to Selma, and a Large portion of the regiment was captured at Selma. Col. Roddy was soon promoted to the command of a brigade, and served with great dis- tinction throughout the war. Maj. Dick Johnson was killed near Moul- ton, Capt. James Williams at Courtland, and Capt. Thomas Williams near Huntsville.
Russell's Fourth Alabama cavalry was formed in December, 1862, by the union of Gen. Forrest's original battalion and six companies of the Fourth battalion. Forrest's companies had already been under fire at Shiloh, Fort Donelson and elsewhere. The Fourth cavalry was in the attack on Fort Donelson by Wheeler and Forrest, and was then attached to Allen's brigade, sharing in the operations of the cavalry of the army of Tennessee. It was engaged at Chickamauga, and bore a full share in Longstreet's east Tennessee campaign. It was in the Dalton-Atlanta campaign, and was part of the force that captured Stoneman's column. When Hood moved into Tennessee the Fourth was sent to operate in the Tennessee valley. After the battle of Nashville, it was assigned to For- rest's corps, and surrendered with his troops at Gainesville. Capt. Thomas W. Hampton was killed at Mossy Creek; Capt. Oliver B. Gaston was captured and died in prison.
The Fifth Alabama cavalry was organized at Tuscumbia. December, 1862, and was brigaded under Gen. Roddy. It moved into Tennessee and began an active and brilliant career by a skirmish at Chapel Hill. It captured a wagon train at Hamburg, captured sixty prisoners and a train
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of supplies at Hunt's Mill, blocked the railroad in Rosecrans' rear, cap- tured 130 prisoners at Madison station, fought Gen. Long at Moulton, and stampeded a regiment at Oakville. It was in Forrest's Pulaski raid, skirmished with Steedman, and was in front of Wilson's corps all the way from Montevallo to Selma, where it was captured. Its colonel was Josiah Patterson of Morgan county, who continued with the regiment until its capture at Selma.
The Sixth cavalry regiment was organized near Pine Level early in 1863, and was first engaged near Pollard. Ordered to north Alabama, it took part in several skirmishes near Decatur. It served during the Atlanta-Dalton campaign. A portion of the regiment was opposed to Rousseau at Ten Islands, losing many in killed and captured. Trans- ferred to west Florida, it fought Steele's columns at Bluff Spring and lost severely. The remnant fought Gen. Wilson's column, and laid down their arms at Gainesville.
The Seventh Alabama cavalry was oragnized at Newbern, July, 1863. It was ordered to Pollard and remained in that neighborhood for nearly a year. In the fall of 1864, the Seventh reported to Gen. Forrest and was assigned to Rucker's brigade, took part in the raid on Johnsonville and in the fighting as Hood moved up to Nashville. It bore the brunt of the Federal attack on Brentwood and suffered severely. It fought con- tinually during Hood's retreat, repulsing swarms of the enemy's cavalry. It afterward joined Gen. Buford at Montevallo, and confronted Wilson's corps from Benton to Girard, where it took part in the last fighting of the war and surrendered at Gainesville, May 14, 1865. Col. Hodgson led this regiment until the close of the war. He then entered the profes- sion of journalism, in which he became quite distinguished, and was at one time state superintendent of education.
The Eighth Alabama cavalry was organized at Newbern in April, 1864, and was formed principally from Hatch's battalion. It was ordered to Blue Mountain, where it was under the command of Gen. Pillow. Moving into north Georgia, it was in the desperate fight at La Fayette, with severe loss; and soon after it lost heavily at Rome. It was in front of Steele's advance on Pollard, and finally surrendered at Gainesville. Col. Hatch was wounded and captured, Maj. Redwood was killed at Pine Barren Creek, and Capt. W. H. Lawrence at Rome.
The Ninth Alabama cavalry was formed near Tullahoma in May, 1863, by consolidating Malone's and Thomason's battalions. It served with Wharton's brigade until December, 1863, being in many skirmishes, and was brigaded successively under Gens. Morgan, Allen and Hagan. It suffered severely in the battle of Shelbyville, and in protecting Long- street's corps. It was with Wheeler's command in the pursuit of Sher- man, and surrendered in North Carolina. The men and officers of this regiment were from the northern counties of the state. Capt. James M. Stevenson was killed at Dover, Capt. William E. Wayland at Rome, and
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Capt. James E. Nance in South Carolina. Another cavalry regiment, known as the Ninth, was organized at Blue Mountain in 1864, and was with Gen. Pillow in the vicinity of Dalton for about three months. Transferred to Clanton's brigade, it fought with some loss at Ten Islands. It was sent into west Florida to oppose Steele's column, was then en gaged with Wilson's corps. and finally surrendered at Gainesville. Capt. John Moore fell at Ten Islands, and Capt. J. F Watson was killed near Pollard.
The Tenth Alabama cavalry was organized in the northern counties of the state to form part of Roddy's command. It participated in the Pulaski raid and in numerous encounters, but its work was principally confined to outpost operations in the Tennessee valley.
The Eleventh Alabama was originally a battalion under the command of Col. Jeffrey Forrest, and was increased to a regiment and formed part of Forrest's command in the attack on Athens, the fights of Sulphur Trestle and Pulaski, and rendered very efficient service to Gen. Hood. It was part of Roddy's force at Montevallo, and confornted Wilson's col- umn on his march to Selma. It finally surrendered at Decatur. Most of the companies were from north Alabama, two being from Mississippi.
The Twelfth Alabama cavalry was formed from a battalion recruited by Col. William H. Hundley of Madison and Maj. Bennett of St. Clair. After operating in east Tennessee, it was consolidated with the First Ala- bama near Murfreesboro. It fought here and at Chickamauga, when four more companies were added, and it was attached to Hagan's brigade. One of its companies lost twenty killed and wounded while defending a bridge near Rome. At Atlanta, July 22, 1864, the regiment was warmly complimented on the field by Gen. Wheeler, and in a melee with Stone- man's raiders it lost twenty-five or thirty men. It fought bravely at Campbellsville, repulsing Brownlow's brigade with a loss of forty-five
men. It also fought gallantly at Averysboro and other places, and dis- banded the night before the surrender. Capt. Musgrove was killed at Fayetteville, and Capt. Weaver at Bentonville.
The Fourth Alabama battalion consisted of three companies from Pike and Barbour counties. It was in Hampton's cavalry and followed Stuart through many of his brilliant forays.
The Fifth Alabama battalion was organized at Dumfries, Va., in De- cember, 1861, was sent to Richmond and fought at Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor and Frazier's Farms, second Manassas, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. It lost heavily at Gettysburg and remained in Virignia till the surrender at Appomattox. Capt. T. B. Bush was killed at second Manassas, Capt. Burton at Cold Harbor, and Capt. David Stewart at Chancellorsville.
The Eighteenth Alabama battalion was organized in Jackson county in the summer of 1862, and consisted of five companies, originally intended for local work. In November it was dismounted by consent and attached
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to the main army of Tennessee at Tullahoma. It fought with heavy loss at Chickamauga, was then attached to Cleburne's division, and fought almost without intermission until the surrender. It was attached, with- out losing its organization, to the Twenty-third Alabama. Maj. John G. Gibson was killed at Chickamauga.
The Twenty-third Alabama battalion, organized November 25, 1863, was composed of three companies of Hilliard's legion, men who had passed through the Kentucky campaign and the battle of Chickamauga. It was in Longstreet's campaign in east Tennessee, and - reached Rich- mond in April. It lost heavily at Drewry's, and during the siege of Petersburg; and the handful left surendered at Appomattox. Capt. W. E. Broughton was killed at Drewry's.
AUXILIARY TROOPS.
The First Confederate regiment had many Alabamians in its ranks, but none among the officers. It was one of Gen. Wheeler's best cavalry regiments. The Third Confederate regiment was another of Gen. Wheel- er's command, and consisted principally of Alabama companies. It fought gallantly throughout the war. Its colonel, W. N. Estes, was killed near Chattanooga.
The Eighth Confederate regiment was organized after the battle of Shiloh, and consisted of six Alabama and four Mississippi companies. It marched with the army into Kentucky and was engaged in many battles. It was in Wheeler's command, and took part in the dash on Rosecrans' rear in the battle of Murfreesboro. It lost severely at Shelbyville, Chick- amauga and Dalton, and took part in the capture of Stoneman. It was actively engaged in Wheeler's last raid into Tennessee, fighting almost constantly, and was engaged incessantly with Sherman's troops, until it surrendered at Greensboro, less than 100 strong. Its first colonel, R. H. Brewer, was a graduate of West Point. After leaving the Eighth, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general and was killed in the valley of Virginia in 1864. Capt. C. C. McCaa was killed at Murfreesboro, Capt. John McElroy near Dalton, Capt. Joseph A. Matthews of Mississippi near Columbia, and Capt. Francis Pinckard died in the service.
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