Alabama Reserve Regiments

RESERVE REGIMENTS AND BATTALIONS INFANTRY.

SIXTY-SECOND, SIXTY-THIRD AND SIXTY-FIFTH REGIMENTS.

There were about nine regiments and three battalions of reserves, composed for the most part of very young men, about two regiments being made up of old men, and they were organized principally for the defense of Mobile and the bay forts. Some of these were, in 1864, consolidated under the command of Col. Daniel Huger, of the First reserve regiment, and the new regiment was known as the Sixty-second Alabama. Others, under Col. Olin F. Rice, of the Second reserve regiment, were known as the Sixty-third. The First battalion, also called the Fourth reserve regiment, was consolidated with the Third and Fourth battalions under Lieut.-Col. E. M. Underhill, and called the Sixty-fifth Alabama; it was employed mainly in the defenses of Mobile, though a detachment was sent to Montgomery in April, 1865, and retired before Wilson’s army to Girard, where it fought with severe loss and was captured. The Sixty-second and Sixty-third fought in General Thomas’ brigade at Fort Gaines and Spanish Fort, losing a large number in killed and wounded. Relieved at Spanish Fort by Holtzclaw’s brigade, they were sent to Blakely, where, after enduring the privations and perils of the siege of Blakely, they were captured, and were exchanged a few days before the final surrender of the department of the Gulf. Captain Johnson, of the Sixty-third, was killed, and Captain Ward, of the Sixty-second, wounded, at Spanish Fort. Capt. J. W. Pitts, who assisted in the defense of Talladega during Rousseau’s raid, became major of the Sixty-second. This regiment, composed wholly of young men, was especially complimented by General Liddell for gallant conduct at Spanish Fort.

EXTRACTS FROM OFFICIAL WAR RECORDS.

• First Reserve Regiment, Col. Daniel E. Huger: No. 74–(975) Major Walthall says: “Captain Pitts’ company of boys on post duty at Talladega, July 13 to 15, 1864.” (977) Major Walthall, in his report of operations, July 13th to 15th, says: “Captain Pitts’ company required for duty at the bridge at Talladega, Rousseau’s raid.” No. 78–(814) September 3, 1864, under Col. Daniel E. Huger, in Liddell’s brigade, Mobile. No. 79, No. 93, No. 94–In Thomas’ command, Mobile, November and December, 1864 No. 101–(681) First and Second Reserves, home guards, in and about Mobile, January, 1865, 1,000 strong. No. 103–(831) February 16, 1865, at Mobile. Union report says: “A regiment of boys, about 600 strong, commanded by Colonel Withers (Huger).” (1045) March 10th, transferred from Taylor’s command to Thomas’. (1046) March 10th, in Thomas’ brigade, Mobile. No. 104 –(226) April 4, 1865, in Thomas’ brigade.
• Second Reserve Regiment, Col. Olin F. Rice: No. 78 –(814) September 3, 1864, Col. Olin F. Rice, in Liddell’s brigade, district of the Gulf. No. 79–(876) November 1, 1864, Fuller’s command, district of the Gulf. No. 94–(633) December 1, 1864, Fuller’s command, department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana. No. 101–(681) First and Second Alabama Reserves, home guards, 1,000 strong, January, 1865, at Mobile. No. 103–(264) April 8, 1865, Fort Blakely, Ala.; 15 killed, 42 wounded. (1045) March 10th, transferred from Taylor’s command to Thomas’. (1046) Lieut.-Col. Junius A. Law, in Thomas’ brigade, Mobile. No. 104–(226) April, 1865, in Thomas’ brigade, Mobile.
• Third Reserve Regiment, Col. William M. Brooks: No. 78–(814) September 3, 1864, Col. William M. Brooks, Thomas’ brigade, district of Gulf. (887) September 30th, Thomas’ brigade, department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana. No. 79–(901) Ordered to report to the commanding officer at Cahaba. (915) November 12, 1864, ordered to report to General Adams. No. 93–(1233) Six companies at Cahaba; Lieut.-Col. Samuel Jones. (1239) November 22d, ordered to Selma. (1244) November 24th, ordered to Pollard. No. 94–(634) December 1st, in Clanton’s brigade. Six companies at Cahaba. No. 103–(968) February 17, 1865, Third Alabama Reserves ordered to report to General Adams at <cmh7a_233>Selma, relieved at Mobile. (1045-1047) March 10th, Clanton’s brigade, Mobile. No. 104–(364) Mentioned as at Montgomery, April 15, 1865.
• First Reserve Battalion, Lieut.-Col. W. M. Stone (became Fourth Reserves): No. 78–(814, 887) September, 1864, Thomas’ brigade, district of Mobile. No. 93–(1233) Called Fourth Alabama reserves, in Col. T. H. Taylor’s command at Mobile, November 20, 1864. No. 94–(634) Same assignment as above, December 1, 1864. No. 103–(968) February 10, 1865, Fourth Reserves relieved at Mobile and ordered to report to General Adams at Montgomery. No. 104–(364) Mentioned as at Montgomery, April 15, 1865.
• Third Reserve Battalion, Capt. F. S. Strickland: No. 78–(814) September 3, 1864, in Liddell’s brigade, district of the Gulf, at Mobile. No. 79–(875) November 1st, in Baker’s brigade, Liddell’s division, Maury’s army. No. 93–(1233) November 20th, detached from district of the Gulf with Fourth battalion, under Lieut.-Col. E. M. Underhill. No. 94–(633) December 1, 1864, with Fourth battalion, Baker’s brigade.
• Fourth Reserve Battalion: No. 79–(875) November l, 1864, Baker’s brigade, district of the Gulf, Mobile. No. 93–(1233) November 20th, Taylor’s brigade, Mobile, with Third battalion, under Lieut.-Col. E. M. Underhill. No. 94–(633) December 1, 1864, same assignment, Baker’s brigade.
• First Junior Reserves Regiment: No. 103–(997) February 20, 1865, 330 for duty at Mobile.
• Second Junior Reserves Regiment: No. 103–(997) February 20, 1865, 428 for duty at Mobile.
• Third Senior Reserve Battalion: No. 103–(997) February 20, 1865, six companies at Pollard, one company Senior Reserves cavalry at Mobile; two companies Senior Reserves light artillery at Mobile. (998) Third Senior Reserves at Montevallo, February 20, 1865.
• Fourth Senior Reserves: No. 103–(998) February 20, 1865, 150 for duty at Montgomery.
• State Reserves. No. 78–(751) August 3, 1864, Colonel Patron’s command reinforced by 388 Alabama State Reserve troops, Mobile, Ala. No. 86–(911) In Mobile on city defenses. Report of Maj. F. W. Marston, chief signal officer, December 22, 1864. No. 93–(1233) Under Lieut.-Col. Young L. Royston, at Selma, November 20, 1864. No. 104–(226) In Maury’s command, Mobile, April, 1865.