THE SECOND ALABAMA CAVALRY.
The Second Alabama cavalry was organized at Montgomery in May, 1862; was in north Alabama for a short time and was then sent to Florida, where it was employed for a time; sent to Jackson, Miss., in April, 1863, and fought Grierson; was employed in Mississippi until October of that year, when it was sent to northern Alabama and Tennessee. It was in Chalmers’ brigade continuously after August, 1863. In General Wheeler’s cavalry corps, this regiment did arduous duty in the Dalton-Atlanta campaign, losing heavily in the battle of July 22d before Atlanta. It skirmished in Sherman’s rear, fighting almost daily, and followed him to Greensboro, N.C.; it formed part of the escort of President Davis to Georgia, where it surrendered at Forsyth, 450 strong. It was commanded for a short time by Col. J. S. Prather, succeeded by Capt. R. G. Earle, who, after his promotion, was killed at Kingston, Ga. It was successively commanded by Lieut.-Cols. J. P. West and J. N. Carpenter, both of whom had risen from the rank of captain. Capt. Wm. L. Allen died in the service. Capt. J. W. Whisenant was wounded at Kenesaw, Capt. James A. Andrews at Nickajack, Capt. Wm. P. Ashley at Decatur, Ga.
EXTRACTS FROM OFFICIAL WAR RECORDS.
- Vol. XVI, Part I–(729) Mentioned in Colonel Milliken’s (Union) report of skirmishes near Russellville, Ala., July, 1862, two companies of Second Alabama cavalry.
- Vol. XVI, Part 2–(767) General Bragg’s order, No. 121, Chattanooga, Tenn., August 21, 1862, says: “A portion of our cavalry, consisting of the companies of Captains Earle, Lewis and Roddey, led by Captain Roddey, has made another brilliant dash upon a superior force of the enemy, resulting in their utter discomfiture and the capture of 123 prisoners. The judgment and prudence of the previous dispositions exhibited high military skill. The vigor and boldness of the attack is a striking example of the spirit that now animates our cavalry and which is fast making them the terror of our invaders.”
- Vol. XXIII, Part I–(136, 137) Mentioned by R. W. Johnson, March, 1863, and in Col. Fielder A. Jones’ report; Col. J. S. Prather commanding.
- No. 36–(535, 536) Mentioned in Col. C. R. Barteau’s report, Grierson’s raid from La Grange, Tenn., April 22, 1863. (560-580) Mentioned in Gen. Daniel Ruggles’ report of May 13th. (690) Commended in General Ruggles’ <cmh7a_256>report of action at King’s Creek, near Tupelo, Miss. (691) Col. J. Cunningham, in his report of action at King’s creek, May 5th, says: “Two killed.” (692) Mentioned by Maj. W. A. Hewlett, May 5th. (693) Mentioned in Col. C. R. Barteau’s report of King’s Creek, May 8th.
- No. 37–(483) General Ruggles, in his report of fight at Rocky Crossing, Tallahatchee river, June 20, 1863, says: “Col. C. R. Barteau’s Second Tennessee, Col. William Boyle’s First Alabama, and R. H. Earle’s Second Alabama regiments of cavalry vied with each other in pressing the enemy home.”
- No. 38–(291) Gen. G. M. Dodge, May 9, 1863, says: “The Second Alabama arrived at Okolona from Pensacola.” (326) Mentioned as near Okolona, May 18th. (733) Maj. W. M. Inge’s battalion ordered to report to Brigadier-General Chalmers, April 10th. (796) Col. C. R. Barteau, April 27th, says: “Ordered from Aberdeen to Buena Vista.” (803) Gen. J. C. Pemberton says: “Just arrived at Jackson, Miss., April 29th. (835) Gen. S. B. Buckner, May 5th, says: “I sent the Second Alabama cavalry to General Pemberton to aid in covering northern Mississippi and Alabama.” (917) The Second Alabama cavalry at Prairie Mound, Miss., May 24th. (973) Mentioned by General Ruggles, June 22d.
- No. 53–(5) With General Ferguson at New Albany, Miss., October 1, 1863. (559) In Ferguson’s brigade, August 27th, 949 strong. (576, 577) Mentioned in Gen. S. D. Lee’s report of September 1st. (582) Mentioned by Gen. B. S. Ewell. (724) Ordered to move at once to the vicinity of Cherry creek and there await further orders from the major-general commanding, October 2d.
- No. 54–(37, 38) Mentioned by Gen. S. W. Ferguson, October 31, 1863, as commanded by Colonel Earle near Courtland, Ala.
- No. 56–(728) Under Col. R. G. Earle in Ferguson’s brigade, Chalmers’ division, November 20, 1863. (866) In Ferguson’s brigade cavalry, in Mississippi, commanded by Gen. Stephen D. Lee, December 24th; Lieut.-Col. J. P. West commanding regiment.
- No. 57–(333) Under Colonel Earle in Ferguson’s brigade, Polk’s army, February 20, 1864. (378) Mentioned by Gen. S. W. Ferguson.
- No. 59–(605, 660, 864) In Ferguson’s brigade, Jack. son’s division, General Polk’s army, spring, 1864. <cmh7a_257>
- No. 74–(646, 654, 660, 666) Under Lieut.-Col. John N. Carpenter, June 10, 1864; in Ferguson’s brigade, army of Mississippi. July 31st, Ferguson’s brigade, army of Tennessee.
- No. 78–(857) September 20, 1864, in Ferguson’s brigade, army of Tennessee.
- No. 99–(1072) January 31, 1865, in Ferguson’s brigade, Iverson’s division, Wheeler’s corps, department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida; General Hardee commanding.