Logan Service – Page 3 – Southern Roots

Hilliard's Legion

Hilliard's Legion was organized with three infantry, one artillery, and one cavalry battalion, consisting of about 3,000 men, at Montgomery, 25 June 1862. The 5th Cavalry Battalion transferred to the 10th Confederate Cavalry Regiment on 30 Dec 1862. The Legion was broken up and divided as the 59th and 60th Alabama Infantry Regiments, and the 23rd Sharpshooters Battalion, 25 November 1863. The first commander was Col. Henry Washington Hilliard (1808-1892, a North Carolina lawyer and Alabama legislator), and the field officers were: Cols. A. H. Bradford and Jack Thorington. Additional information can be found in Lewellyn Shaver / A History of the 60th Alabama Regiment, Gracie's Alabama Brigade.

2nd Battalion, Hilliard's Legion The 2nd Infantry Battalion was organized with six companies at Montgomery on 25 June 62. It was consolidated with the 4th Artillery Battalion and designated as the 59th Infantry Regiment at Charleston, TN, 25 Nov., '63. Its field officers were Col. Bolling Hall, jr., and Major William T. Stubblefield. The unit's assignments were as for the 1st Battalion except that for the period Dec. 62-March 63 the unit was assigned to Gracie's Brigade, Dept. of East Tennessee. The Battalion fought at Chicamauga (19-20 Sept., 63) and the Siege of Chattanooga (Sept.-Nov 63).

59th Alabama Infantry Regiment

The 59th Alabama Infantry Regiment was formed by the consolidation of the Second and Fourth Battalions of Hilliard's Legion. The Legion was organized at Montgomery, 25 June 1862, and consisted of five battalions , one of which was mounted, and being detached in a short time thereafter, became part of the Tenth Confederate Regiment. The Second Battalion, six companies, was commanded by Lt. Col. Bolling Hall of Autauga and Major W. Stubblefield of Coosa; the Fourth Battalion was commanded by major John D. McLennan of Barbour. The Legion proceeded to East Tennessee, nearly 3000 strong, under its commander, Col. Hilliard of Montgomery. Proceeding to Cumberland Gap, it was part of the force that besieged that position. In October, the Legion was a part of the force that occupied Kentucky, a fatiguing march. It passed the winter and summer following in East Tennessee, during which time Col. Jack Thorington of Montgomery (First Battalion) succeeded Col. Hillards, and in April 1863 it was attached to Gen'l Gracie's Brigade. The Legion was in the Battle of Chickamauga where it lost more than half its number; the flag of the Second Battalion, for example, had 81 bullet holes. Moving into East Tennessee, Col. Thorington having resigned, the Legion was divided into the 59th and 60th Alabama Regiments, and 23rd Battalion, at Charleston, 25 Nov 1863. The 59th was in the investment of Knoxville and the fights at Dandridge and Bean's Station, with some casualties, especially at the latter. In April 1864, the regiment reached Richmond and shortly after took part in the battle of Drewry's Bluff and the fight with Sheridan. From June until the March following, the 59th was in the trenches of Petersburg or in the numerous conflicts on the flank and rear of the army, losing a number at Hatcher's Run and White Oaks Road. As part of Gordon's Corps, Bushrod Johnston's Division, the regiment was engaged at Appomattox and there surrendered.

Field and Staff Officers: Col. Bolling Hall, jr. (Autauga; wounded, Chickamauga, Drewry's Bluff); Lt. Cols. John D. McLennan (Barbour; KIA, Drewry's Bluff); George W. Huguley (Chambers); Majors George W. Huguley (promoted); Lewis H. Crumpler (Coosa); and Adjutant Crenshaw Hall (Autauga; wounded, Drewry's Bluff)

Captains, and counties from which the companies came:

Randolph: John C. Hendrix (died in service); S. E. A. Reaves (wounded, Drewry's Bluff)
Autauga: John F. Wise (resigned); John E. Hall (wounded, Petersburg)
Tallapoosa: J. W. Dillard (died in service); John Porter
Pike: E. L. McIntyre (resigned); John C. Henley
Dale: W. H. Stuckey; W. J. Peacock
Coosa: Lewis H. Crumpler (promoted); W. R. Davie
Barbour: James Lang (wounded, twice)
Butler: J. R. Glasgow (resigned); Louis Harrell (resigned); H. H.. Rutledge (KIA, Drewry's Bluff); Zach Daniel (KIA, Hatcher's Run)
Butler: R. F. Manly (wounded, Drewry's Bluff, Hatcher's Run (and captured))
Coosa: W. D. Walden (KIA, Chickamauga); R. H. Gulledge

History: James Heath Barrow / Word from Camp Pollard, C.S.A. (West Point, GA : Davidson, 1978)

John Logan

2d Battalion, Hilliard's Legion

Company C, 59th Regiment of Alabama Infantry

Enlisted May 5, 1862, Rockford, Coosa County, Alabama, by Captain Stubblefield.
Appointed to 3rd Corporal June 1863
Wounded and sent to hospital on May 10, 1864. Sent to Chimborazo Hospital, Richmond, Va.
Furloughed from Chimborazo Hospital on Setember 2, 1864
Note: The remainder of these records were illegible.

James A. Cranford