[Cherokee County map]Cherokee County, Alabama
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Researched and presented by Alan J. Pitts of Shelby County, Alabama.

CONFEDERATE MILITARY UNITS

FROM

CHEROKEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
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        Twenty-six volunteer companies organized at least partially within this county for Confederate service, the “Cherokee Grays” becoming the first on March 25, 1861. This number does not include militia, home guards, and other units raised under state or local authority. Recognizing transfers, re-enlistments, (which accounts for most members of the “Cherokee Grays”) and men residing elsewhere who served in these companies, we estimate that 2,040 men from Cherokee County enrolled in Confederate military units. After the war a substantial portion of this county was partitioned by the state legislature to become Etowah County.

Company Branch Captain Name Organized  Date    Count
C 7th Ala. Regt. Inf. Clare Cherokee Grays* Centre 03-25-61 30
H 19th Ala. Regt. Inf. Cunningham The Cherokees,* or
Confederate Guards		 Centre 04-16-61 100
I 19th Ala. Regt. Inf. Savage Cherokee Rangers* Coloma 04-20-61 100
F 19th Ala. Regt. Inf. Rhea Davis Guards Attalla 05-09-61 100
D 19th Ala. Regt. Inf. Hollingsworth Jabe Curry Guards,* or
Gadsden Light Guards*		 Gadsden 05-15-61 100
G 19th Ala. Regt. Inf. Millsaps Cherokee Mountaineers* Broomtown 07-06-61 100
E 19th Ala.. Regt. Inf. Kirkpatrick Cherokee Guards* Kirk’s Grove 07-24-61 100
A 10th Ala. Battn. Inf. Hawkins Cherokee Davis Guards Gaylesville 08-07-61 100
E Forrest’s Tenn. Regt. Cav. Truitt   Gadsden 08-16-61 80
D 22nd Ala. Regt. Inf. Hood Cherokee Beauregards* Dublin 09-17-61 100
B 10th Ala. Battn. Inf. Stewart Shorter Guards Goshen 01-13-62 100
D 10th Ala. Battn. Inf. Johnson Cherokee Warriors Cedar Bluff 01-20-62 100
A 31st Ala. Regt. Inf. Moragne   Gadsden 03-10-62 100
B 31st Ala. Regt. Inf. Alexander Ralls Rifles   03-27-62 100
H 48th Ala. Regt. Inf. Golightly Cherokee Grays Cedar Bluff 04-29-62 100
E 47th Ala. Regt. Inf. Campbell   Cedar Bluff 04-30-62 100
G 48th Ala. Regt. Inf. Moragne   Gadsden 05-10-62 100
A 18th Ala. Battn. Cav. Jones   Island Creek 06-12-62 80
A 12th Ala. Battn. Cav. Bennett   Gadsden 07-25-62 40
A 19th Ala. Battn. Cav. Hammack   Lebanon 09-06-62 40
F 12th Ala. Battn. Cav. Webb   Gadsden 09-09-62 40
C 19th Ala. Battn. Cav. Clayton   Pleasant Gap 11-15-62 60
F 19th Ala. Battn. Cav. Dobbs   Blue Pond 02-12-63 40
B Barbiere’s Battn. Cav. Clifton   Gadsden and
Cedar Bluff		 08-12-63 30
D Barbiere’s Battn. Cav. Millsaps   Centre 10-08-63 40
E Hardie’s Battn. Cav. Rogers   Centre 08-01-64 60

*Denotes companies which have muster rolls on file at the Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama.

Companies and their Captains


Company “C”, 7th Alabama Infantry Regiment       “Cherokee Grays”

        William Clare. Term expired April 1, 1862. Served as A.A.D.C. (acting Aide-de-Camp) on the staff of General Wood during the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee (April 6-7, 1862).

        Leaving Centre, Alabama, March 25, 1861, this company reached Talladega, Alabama, March 28, 1861, and enrolled in state service at Selma, Alabama. Members enlisted in Confederate service at Barrancas, Florida, on April 7, 1861, as Company “B” of the 3rd Alabama Infantry Battalion. Some later joined Company “H” of the 48th Alabama Infantry Regiment, and Company “C” of the 6th Georgia Cavalry Regiment.

Company “H”, 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment       “Cherokees”

        Joseph L. Cunningham. Relieved; appointed Captain and Assistant Adjutant General (A.A.G.) on General Tracy’s staff, November 26, 1862, to rank from November 3, 1862.
        Samuel B. Echols. Promoted Captain [June 28,] 1863, to rank from October 29, 1862. Resigned, health reasons, September 3, 1864.
        William B. Trippe. Promoted Captain on September 22, 1864. Wounded at Kolb’s Farm, Georgia, June 22, 1864 [and Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864].

        Also called the “Confederate Guards,” this company organized at Centre, Alabama, April 16, 1861. Officers and men left on August 14, 1861, enlisting in Confederate service at Huntsville, Alabama. They surrendered with Company “I”, consolidated 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Company “I”, 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment       “Cherokee Rangers”

        James H. Savage. Wounded at Atlanta, Georgia, on July 22, 1864.

        Forming April 20, 1861, members left Coloma, Alabama, August 10, 1861. Officers and men mustered at Huntsville, Alabama, on August 13, 1861. They surrendered with Company “K”, consolidated 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Company “F”, 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment       “Davis Guards”

        Rufus B. Rhea. Wounded and disabled at Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6, 1862. Assigned to duty as post commander at Cleveland, Tennessee, August 20, 1862. Roll for August 1863 notes, “Taken prisoner by Streight and his men. Ordered to camp of exchange.” Resigned September 7, 1863.
        Samuel M. J. Howard. Captured at Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, November 25, 1863. Promoted Captain [January 11, 1864]. Released at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, June 13, 1865.

        Organized [at Attalla, Alabama,] on May 9, 1861, the command left Wills Valley, Alabama, for Huntsville, Alabama, on August 13, 1861. Members enrolled in Confederate service there on August 17, 1861.

Company “D”, 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment       “Jabe Curry Guards”

        William Perry Hollingsworth. Relieved October 29, 1862. [NA/356]
        Edward Thornton. Promoted Captain [December 15, 1862,] to rank from October 29, 1862. Wounded at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, December 31, 1862. Killed at Jonesboro, Georgia, August 31, 1864.
        Benjamin L. Archer. Promoted Captain September 17, 1864, to rank from August 31, 1864. Captured at Nashville, Tennessee, December 16, 1864. Released at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, June 16, 1865.

        Organized as the “Gadsden Light Guards” May 15, 1861, this company was accepted in state service and left Gadsden, Alabama, on August 13, 1861. Members enlisted in Confederate service four days later. Survivors surrendered with Company “K” of the consolidated 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Company “G”, 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment       “Cherokee Mountaineers”

        Jackson Millsaps. Resigned for health reasons, July 31, 1862. Later Captain of Company “D”, Davenport’s Alabama Cavalry Battalion.
        John N. Barry. Appointed Captain to rank from July 31, 1862. Wounded at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, December 31, 1862. Cashiered by sentence of court martial at Dalton, Georgia, April 23, 1864.
        James H. Leath. Promoted Captain June 21, 1864. Wounded near Atlanta, Georgia, July 28, 1864.

        This company organized at Broomtown, Alabama, on July 6, 1861. Members left Cedar Bluff, Alabama, August 14, 1861, enlisting in Confederate service three days later. The command surrendered as part of Company “I”, consolidated 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Company “E”, 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment       “Cherokee Guards”

        William E. Kirkpatrick. Resigned on February 17, 1862.
        Marvel M. Israel. Promoted Captain on August 28, 1862, to rank from February 17, 1862. Wounded at Chickamauga, Georgia, September 20, 1863. Died at Kingston, Georgia, April 8, 1864.
        Thomas J. Williamson. Promoted Captain April 13, 1864, to rank from April 8, 1864. Wounded at Atlanta, Georgia, July 28, 1864.

        This command formed on July 24, 1861. On August 11, 1861, it was accepted in state service and departed Kirk’s Grove, Alabama. Members enlisted in Confederate service at Huntsville, Alabama, the following day. A few survivors surrendered with Company “B”, consolidated 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Company “A”, 10th Alabama Infantry Battalion       “Cherokee Davis Guards”

        Austin Hawkins. Promoted Captain on February 12, 1862. Not reelected, May 8, 1862.
        David C. Daniel. Elected Captain May 8, 1862. [Wounded at Resaca, Georgia, May 15, 1864, and Peachtree Creek, Georgia, July 20, 1864.] Appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the consolidated 27th Alabama Infantry Regiment, April 9, 1865. Surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina, May 1, 1865.
        Edward H. Emerson. Appointed Captain of consolidated Company “B”, 27th Alabama Infantry Regiment, April 9, 1865. Surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina, May 1, 1865.

        Organizing at Gaylesville, Alabama, August 7, 1861, members of this company entered state service September 25, 1861. They enrolled in Confederate service November 2, 1861, and mustered on the Nashville, Tennessee, fairgrounds on November 19, 1861. This command eventually became Company “B” of the 55th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Survivors surrendered as part of Company “B” of the consolidated 27th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Company “E”, Forrest’s Tennessee Cavalry Regiment

        Alfred S. Truitt. [Not reelected June 17, 1862.]
        Thomas W. Hampton. [Elected Captain June 17, 1862.] Later Captain of Company “B”, Russell’s 4th Alabama Cavalry Regiment. [Killed at Mossy Creek, Tennessee, December 24, 1863.]
        H. A. Gillespie. Promoted Captain [August 14, 1864,] to rank from [December 24,] 1863.

        This company organized at Gadsden, Alabama, August 16, 1861, and mustered at Camp Forrest near Memphis, Tennessee, October 6, 1861. Members later formed Company “B”, Russell’s 4th Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Survivors surrendered with members of Companies “A” and “H” of this regiment.

Company “D”, 22nd Alabama Infantry Regiment       “Cherokee Beauregards”

        S[tephen] R. Hood. Resigned on January 1, 1862.
        E. Herbert Armistead. Elected Captain January 30, 1862. Assigned to the Sixth Congressional District of Alabama as enrolling officer, July 20, 1863, posted to Montgomery, Alabama. Appointed Major February 11, 1864, to rank from December 15, 1863.
        Thomas M. Brindley. Promoted Captain February 11, 1864, to rank from December 15, 1863. Killed at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864.
        Thomas C. Hagood. Promoted Captain September 22, 1864. Submitted his resignation on March 12, 1865. Captured and paroled at Bowden, Georgia, April 25, 1865.

        This company organized at Dublin, Alabama, electing officers on September 17, 1861, at Montgomery, Alabama. Survivors surrendered with Company “A” of the consolidated 22nd Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Company “B”, 10th Alabama Infantry Battalion       “Shorter Guards”

        John T. Stewart. Elected Captain on December 12, 1861. Not reelected, May 8, 1862.
        Cain Glover. Elected Captain May 8, 1862, but did not accept the office. Resigned as 1st Lieutenant on May 20, 1862.
        Robert J. Wright. Promoted Captain on August 30, 1862 [to rank from May 8, 1862].

        This company formed at Goshen, Alabama, on January 13, 1862, and enrolled at Camp Johnson, Nashville, Tennessee, January 30, 1862. It later became Company “J” of the 55th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Companies “J” and “K” combined about September 1, 1863, to form new Company “K”. Officers assigned came from this company. Survivors surrendered with Company “C” of the consolidated 27th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Company “D”, 10th Alabama Infantry Battalion       “Cherokee Warriors”

        Archibald Johnson. Elected Captain December 28, 1861. Not reelected, May 8, 1862.
        William McG. Randle. Elected Captain May 8, 1862. Surrendered at Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 4, 1863, and paroled there, July 6, 1863. Served as Captain of Company “A”, 2nd Detachment of Paroled Prisoners through June 30, 1864. Captured at Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864. Released at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, May 19, 1865.

        Accepted in Confederate service on January 20, 1862, this company mustered at Cedar Bluff, Alabama, eight days later. It then became Company “D” of the 10th Alabama Infantry Battalion. It eventually became Company “K” of the 55th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Companies “J” and “K” combined about September 1, 1863, to form new Company “K”. All officers assigned came from Company “J”. Survivors surrendered with Company “C” of the consolidated 27th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Company “A”, 31st Alabama Infantry Regiment

        Isaac P. Moragne. Resigned due to ill health, August 13, 1862.
        Henry W. Pickens. Promoted Captain [September 20, 1862,] to rank from August 13, 1862. Resigned, citing poor health, March 30, 1863. [NA/501]
        William L. Hughes. Promoted Captain [June 20, 1863, to rank from March 30,] 1863. Surrendered at Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 4, 1863; paroled there July 9, 1863. Wounded and disabled at Jonesboro, Georgia, August 31, 1864. Submitted his resignation, March 30, 1865.
        W. W. Garrard. Appointed Captain, Company “K” of the consolidated 23rd Alabama Infantry Regiment April 10, 1865. Surrendered at Salisbury, North Carolina, May 2, 1865.

        Enlisting at Gadsden, Alabama, March 3, 1862, officers and men were called into camp March 8, 1862. A company muster roll dated Camp Goldthwaite, near Talladega, Alabama, March 24, 1862; was forwarded to the War Department on May 5, 1862. Survivors surrendered with Company “K” of the consolidated 23rd Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Company “B”, 31st Alabama Infantry Regiment       “Ralls Rifles”

        Marshall J. Alexander. Appointed Captain and Assistant Commissary (A.C.S.) May 15, 1862, to rank from May 10, 1862, but resigned as Captain for health reasons on July 24, 1862. He died later that year.
        Joseph J. Nix. Appointed Captain [September 30,] 1862; appointment recorded on April 25, 1863. Wounded at Champion’s Hill, Mississippi, May 16, 1863; exchanged nearby May [20,] 1863. Wounded at Jonesboro, Georgia, August 31, 1864. Submitted resignation to join Barbiere’s Cavalry Battalion, March 25, 1865. Paroled at Talladega, Alabama, May 19, 1865.

        Enlisting in Cherokee County, Alabama, March 27, 1862, members were accepted in Confederate service April 16, 1862. A muster roll dated May 8, 1862, was forwarded to the War Department from Camp Goldthwaite, near Talladega, Alabama. This company was also listed as Company “C” in some documents. Survivors surrendered with Company “H” of the consolidated 23rd Alabama Infantry Regiment.


Company “H”, 48th Alabama Infantry Regiment       “Cherokee Grays”

        Robert C. Golightly. Formerly 2nd Lieutenant of Company “C”, 7th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Killed at Sharpsburg, Maryland, September 17, 1862.
        William M. Hardwick. Wounded and captured at Sharpsburg, Maryland, September 17, 1862; exchanged at Aiken’s Landing, Virginia, October 17, 1862. Promoted Captain to rank from September 17, 1862. Appointed Major [December 22,] 1862, to rank from September 29, 1862; official appointment dated April 2, 1863.
        Thomas J. Lumpkin. Wounded September 17, 1862, at Sharpsburg, Maryland. Promoted Captain [April 2,] 1863, to rank from September 29, 1862. Surrendered April 9, 1865, at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia.

        Members left camp at Cedar Bluff, Alabama, April 29, 1862. Many had served with Company “C” of the 7th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

Company “E”, 47th Alabama Infantry Regiment

        James M. Campbell. Wounded at Cedar Run, Virginia, August 9, 1862. Appointed Major March 17, 1863, to rank from September 13, 1862.
        Frank T. J. Brandon. Promoted Captain May [8,] 1863, to rank from November 12, 1862. Resigned July 30, 1863, due to physical disability, but signed a regimental petition, August 7, 1863.
        Joseph N. Hood. Promoted Captain [September 13,] 1863, to rank from July 30, 1863. Wounded and disabled at Chickamauga, Georgia, September 19, 1863. Resigned March 18, 1864.
        James A. Gaskin. Promoted Captain [April 29,] 1864, to rank from March 18, 1864. Killed September 30, 1864, Fort Harrison, Virginia.
        Lemuel Cobb. Wounded Darbytown Road, Virginia, October 7, 1864. Promoted Captain [December 1,] 1864, to rank from September 30, 1864.

        Organized April 30, 1862, at Cedar Bluff, Alabama, this company mustered at Loachapoka, Alabama.

Company “G”, 48th Alabama Infantry Regiment

        John S. Moragne. Resigned due to partial paralysis on August 15, 1862.
        Augustus L. Woodliff. Promoted Captain [September 5,] 1862, to rank August 16, 1862. Resigned due to illness October 1, 1862. [NA/373; DAB4:1801]
        Norman H. McDuffie. Wounded at Cedar Run, Virginia, August 9, 1862. Promoted Captain [February 15, 1863,] to rank October 1, 1862. Wounded at the Wilderness, Virginia, May 6, 1864.

        On May 10, 1862, this company was accepted in Confederate service at Gadsden, Alabama, replacing original Company “G” on July 17, 1862. Officers and men mustered on June 12, 1862, at Montgomery, Alabama.

Company “A”, 18th Alabama Cavalry Battalion

        Jasper J. Jones. Relieved January 10, 1863. Captured on Sand Mountain, Alabama, October 8, 1863. Released at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, June 12, 1865.
        Richard A. Arendale. Appointed Captain of new Company “C” January 10, 1863. Paroled at Columbus, Mississippi, May 18, 1865.

        Accepted in Confederate service at Island Creek, Alabama, June 12, 1862, this command mustered June 25, 1862. Members were assigned to new Company “C” when the battalion reorganized.
Company “C”, 19th Alabama Partisan Ranger Battalion

Company “A”, 12th Alabama Cavalry Battalion

        Albert G. Bennett. Appointed Major [October 14, 1862, to rank from October 10,] 1862.
        A. D. Bennett. Promoted Captain [October 14, 1862, to rank from October 10, 1862]. [Evidently served as 1st Lieutenant of 2nd Company “H”, 1st Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Promoted Captain April 15, 1864, to rank from March 1, 1864.] Surrendered at Charlotte, North Carolina, May 3, 1865.

        Enrolling at Gadsden, Alabama, the company mustered at Forkville, Alabama, July 25, 1862. Merged with Company “F”, it served as 2nd Company “H” of the 1st Alabama Cavalry Regiment from late 1862 until the early months of 1864. At that time it resumed its original letter designation. Some members came from Saint Clair County.

Company “A”, 19th Alabama Partisan Ranger Battalion

        William N. Hammack. Later served as Captain of Company “B”, 9th Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Resigned January 27, 1865, due to ill health.

        Officers and men mustered at Lebanon, Alabama, September 6, 1862. This command later became Company “B”, 9th Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Most members were residents of DeKalb County.

Company “F”, 12th Alabama Cavalry Battalion

        David C. Webb. Captured at Middleton, Tennessee, May 22, 1863. Died of disease at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, July 26, 1863.
        John R. Scurry. Appointed Captain [July 15, 1864, to rank from March 1,] 1864. Resigned December 19, 1864, due to advanced age and exemption as a physician.

        Organized at Gadsden, Alabama, September 9, 1862, this company mustered on September 20, 1862. It merged with Company “A” to become part of 2nd Company “H” of the 1st Alabama Cavalry Regiment, serving as such from late 1862 until the early months of 1864. At that time it resumed its original letter designation. Many members were residents of Calhoun County.

Company “C”, 19th Alabama Partisan Ranger Battalion

        Solomon Smith Clayton. Later served as Captain of Company “H” of the 9th Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Captured at Shelbyville, Tennessee, June 27, 1863. Forwarded from Point Lookout, Maryland, for exchange on February 20, 1865.

        This company organized at Pleasant Gap, Alabama, November 15, 1862. Officers and men later became Company “H”, 9th Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Some members were residents of DeKalb County.

Company “F”, 19th Alabama Partisan Ranger Battalion

        S. P. Dobbs. Later served as Captain of Company “M”, 9th Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Wounded [at Shelbyville, Tennessee, June 27, 1863, and in Georgia during the summer of 1864].

        Members mustered at Blue Pond, Alabama, February 12, 1863, and Lebanon, Alabama, March 14, 1863. The letter company designation shown above is assumed. Officers and men later served as Company “M”, 9th Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Most members were residents of DeKalb County.

Company “B”, Barbiere’s Alabama Cavalry Battalion

        James M. Clifton. Formerly Major of the 10th Alabama Infantry Battalion.

        Organizing August 12, 1863, at Gadsden and Cedar Bluff, Alabama, this company served as part of the supporting forces of the Conscript Bureau. Some veterans remembered it as Company “C” of Barbiere’s Battalion. Perhaps half of the command came from Calhoun and Saint Clair County.

Company “D”, Barbiere’s Alabama Cavalry Battalion

        Jackson Millsaps. Formerly Captain of Company “G”, 19th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Paroled at Mobile, Alabama, May 30, 1865.

        On October 8, 1863, Millsap’s Company was serving with the supporting forces of the Conscript Bureau in Cherokee County, Alabama. It may have been organized at Centre, Alabama. Many of its members came from Calhoun County.

Company “E”, Hardie’s Alabama Cavalry Battalion

        John B. Rogers. Elected Captain to rank from August 1, 1864.

        This company organized August 1, 1864, mustering at Centre, Alabama, on September 28, 1864. It appears as Company “F” in some records.


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