BY DANIEL P. SMITH. PRATTVILLE, ALA. PUBLISHED BY THE SURVIVORS. 1885. Burk & McFetridge , Printers, 306-308 Chestnut St. Phila....

The First Alabama Regiment of Infantry was organized under the Act of the Legislature authorizing the enlistment of troops for twelve months. Three companies were raised in Barbour county by Capts. Alpheus Baker, John Clark and Jere. Williams; two in Pike, by Capts. Augustus Owen and Dawson; one in Wilcox, by Capt. I. G. W. Steadman; one in Tallapoosa, by Capt. J. D. Meadows; one in Talladega, by Capt. L. F. Johnson; one in Lowndes, by Capt. J. D. Conyers; and one in Mobile, by Capt. Ben. Lane P

ORGANIZATION OF THE JOHN GILL SHORTER ARTILLERY—CHANGE OF DESTINATION—AT ISLAND 10—ROLL OF COMPANY K—MYSTERIES OF THE CUISINE—A SHAMEFUL WASTE. In February, 1862, John F. Whitfield, Esq., obtained the authority to recruit one of the three companies necessary to complete the reorganization of the First Alabama Regiment, C. S. A., serving at that time as heavy artillery at Pensacola, Fla. Meeting with Merrill E. Pratt, Esq., of Prattville, he proposed to that gentleman to raise one-half the compan

BOMBARDMENT AND CAPTURE OF ISLAND NO. 10—THE BATTERIES—AT RUCKER’S BATTERY—CANAL CUTTING—A NIGHT ATTACK—RUNNING THE GAUNTLET—AN UNFINISHED MEAL—THE ATTEMPTED EVACUATION—RETREAT TO TIPTONVILLE—MACKALL’S ORDER—THE SURRENDER—ACROSS REEL-FOOT RIVER. Island No. 10 is, or was, in the Mississippi River, opposite the boundary-line between Kentucky and Tennessee. The river approaches the island in nearly a southerly direction, then runs to the northwest about twelve miles to New Madrid, where it makes a

PRISON LIFE IN 1862—IN THE MUD—BIVOUAC AT NEW MADRID—A FRIENDLY IRISHMAN—AT CAMP BUTLER—SCANT WATER SUPPLY—ESCAPE OF PRISONERS—AN ASTONISHED SENTINEL—PLAYING GUARD—LOST ON THE PRAIRIE—A PRISONER SHOT—HEALTH OF THE CAMP—MORTALITY STATISTICS—CURIOUS PHENOMENA—DEATH VISITS THE COMPANY—COL. FUNDY IN COMMAND—PRACTICAL JOKES—TRINKET MAKING—NEWS FROM COMRADES—HOMEWARD BOUND—ARRIVAL IN DIXIE. At daybreak on Tuesday, April 8th, the retreating garrison were quietly aroused from their leafy, but not otherw

CAPT. ISBELL AND HIS BATTALION—ARRIVAL AT PORT HUDSON—BATTLE OF CORINTH—THE REUNITED REGIMENT—PORT HUDSON—LAND DEFENCES—RED RIVER SUPPLIES. Upon its arrival at Vicksburg, the First Alabama Regiment was quartered in the public-school building, where they remained several days. The city, even then, bore marks of the havoc of war. Shot and shell had torn huge rents in the walls of the houses, and ploughed up or dug great holes in which could have been buried a horse and cart. On the bluffs, and alo

INCIDENTS OF THE WINTER OF 1862-3—AN UNEXPECTED SALUTE—A PARROTT FOR CO. K—WHITFIELD’S LEGION—FARRAGUT’S FLEET—RUNNING THE BATTERIES—THE MIDNIGHT BATTLE—A CRIPPLED FLEET—BURNING OF THE “MISSISSIPPI”—COMPARATIVE LOSSES—THE LAND ATTACK—INCIDENTS IN APRIL, 1863—A SABBATH MORNING AT TROTH’S LANDING—CLOSE QUARTERS—SKIRMISHING. Col. Steadman at once began a strict system of discipline and drill. The following was the order of the day: Reveille at daybreak with roll-call, inspection of arms and policin

SIEGE AND SURRENDER OF PORT HUDSON—THE INVESTMENT—SKIRMISHING—THE FIRST GRAND ASSAULT—ASSAILED AND ASSAILANTS—DOUBLY ARMED—LIEUT. PRATT AT BATTERY 11—THE “ESSEX” DRIVEN OFF—LIEUT. ADAMS ELECTED—ARTILLERY PRACTICE—ASSAULT OF JUNE 14TH—EFFECT OF BUCK AND BALL—BANKS’ INHUMANITY—LEAD FOR WATER—A GALLANT CORPORAL—BATTERY 11 SILENCED—GALLANT SCHURMUR’S DEATH—THE SUNKEN BATTERY—MULE AND PEAS—THE FALL OF VICKSBURG—UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER—GEN. GARDNER’S SWORD—CASUALTIES OF THE FIRST. The initiatory steps

EXPERIENCES OF PAROLED PRISONERS OF WAR—A DISORGANIZED REGIMENT—A HANDSOME TURNOUT—CLOSE QUARTERS—A FAITHFUL SERVANT—PRESENT, OR ACCOUNTED FOR—IN CAMP AT MERIDIAN. During the negotiations for the surrender, Gen. Banks refused to grant terms permitting the release of the prisoners on parole, on the ground that orders from Washington positively forbade it. On the day of surrender, however, he suddenly changed his mind and decided to parole all enlisted men, retaining the officers. Gen. Dick Taylor

RETURN OF CO. K TO ACTIVE DUTY—ARRIVAL AT MOBILE—A FLOODED CAMP—SHORT OF AMMUNITION—AT FORT GAINES—FISHERMEN’S SPOILS—GOING TO SCHOOL—A SPY IN CAMP—IN NORTH GEORGIA. The First Alabama Regiment was not required to do other duty than camp guard and drill until about the 1st of December; three companies of the regiment were then sent down the Mobile and Ohio Railroad to guard the bridges, and heavy details were made from the remaining companies—about 125 men daily—for provost duty at Meridian. This

IN NORTH GEORGIA WITH JOHNSTON AND HOOD—RETREAT TO KENNESAW—A GALLANT DEED—HOOD’S NEW POLICY—DEFENDING ATLANTA—THE VALLEY OF DEATH—THE GALLANT FIRST—FATE OF THE WOUNDED—DEATH OF SERGT. FAY—ELECTING A LIEUTENANT—EVACUATION OF ATLANTA—AT LOVEJOY’S STATION. The First Alabama Regiment, on its arrival in North Georgia, was attached to Canty’s Brigade, but was soon transferred to Quarles’ Brigade (Tennessee troops), Walthall’s Division, Polk’s Corps. The regiment, excepting Co. K, arrived in time to t

HOOD’S RAIDS ON SHERMAN’S RAILROAD COMMUNICATIONS—FINDING LOST MOUNTAIN—HOLD THE FORT—TEARING UP RAILROADS—IN ALABAMA—A DISMAL NIGHT—REVIEW OF THE ARMY—FORAGING IN TENNESSEE—CATCHING MUD LARKS. The First Alabama remained in camp at Lovejoy’s till Sunday, September 18th, a camp-ground was cleared up in the woods, and drilling was resumed. During the Atlanta campaign the cooking was done at the wagon-yards; now, cooking utensils were issued, and the men were enabled to have comparatively decent fa

GEN. HOOD’S DISASTROUS CAMPAIGN IN TENNESSEE—THE FATAL MISTAKE—BEFORE FRANKLIN—SCHOFIELD’S STRONGHOLD—EATING HIS LAST RATIONS—THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN—THE REBEL YELL—TERRIFIC MUSKETRY—LOCKED BAYONETS—ONE-THIRD HOOD’S ARMY LOST—CO. K WIPED OUT—LOSSES OF THE “FIRST”—FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH—THE RETREAT FROM TENNESSEE—THE LAST ROLL CALL. It was raining slowly as, on Sunday, November 20, the First Alabama formed and marched down to the Tennessee river, crossed the long pontoon bridge, and went into camp f

PRISON LIFE DURING THE LAST YEAR OF THE WAR—SEARCHING THE PRISONERS—STARVATION RATIONS—TRUE TO THE SOUTH—HOME AGAIN. The following extract from a letter written by W. L. Ellis, Esq., conveys a vivid picture of the treatment of prisoners by the Federals during the last year of the war. Mr. Ellis was taken prisoner at Franklin. “I surrendered to the Colonel of the Eighth Tennessee (U. S.) Regiment, and for kindness shown me by him I shall always feel very grateful. At midnight his command withdrew

The following is a complete roll of Co. K, First Alabama Regiment, C. S. A., with the highest rank attained, date of enlistment, County residence, and situation at the close of the war of each man....

The following is a summary of the roll of Co. K:—...