Chapter 4:
- The Alabama infantry regiments -- Brief history of each organization -- their service as shown by the official Records.
The First Alabama infantry was the first in Alabama to enlist for one year, the first to re-enlist, and has the distinction of having served, though several times reorganized, from the beginning to the end of the conflict. Enlisting in March, 186, it assembled at Pensacola and immediately began the hardest of work—in preparing for defense. It was assigned to the batteries and soon earned the title, ‘Bragg's best artillerists.’ Col. Henry D. Clayton served during the year 1861; at the end of one year the regiment reorganized under Col. Isaiah G. W. Steedman. It took part in the battle of Santa Rosa, and was in the bombardment of Pensacola, where it earned high renown. Ordered to Memphis, March, 1862, it saw constant service until at Island No.10, where a large part of the regiment was captured; the remainder were in the battle of Corinth. In September the Island No.10 prisoners were exchanged and the regiment was ordered to Port Hudson, where most of them were again captured. The enlisted men, 610 strong, were exchanged, and under command of the officers who escaped capture, fought at New Hope and Kenesaw, where a brilliant record was made; Peach Tree creek, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, Averasboro, and Bentonville. The regiment was greatly distinguished, suffering many losses in these battles, including Major Knox, the commander, who fell while leading his troops in the battle of Franklin.
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Extracts from official war Records.
Vol. Vi—（460) Report of General Anderson of battle of Santa Rosa, October 8, 1861. （492) General Bragg's report of bombardment of Pensacola, November 22-23, 1861, says: ‘Col. H. D. Clayton, First regiment of Alabama volunteers, whose entire regiment served both days at the batteries, has received the just commendation of the general. This gallant regiment has toiled for nearly ten months in the construction and garnishment of the works they almost despaired of using. Having been the first on the ground, much the largest portion of the labor fell to their lot. When least expected, the opportunity has been offered to test their skill, and most nobly have they availed themselves of it.’ （784) General Bragg calls it ‘a well-instructed body of artillery.’ （819) In Gen. Sam Jones' brigade, Bragg's army, February 1, 1862. （838) General Jones, Pensacola, March 5, 1862, says: ‘First Alabama leaves for Memphis this evening.’ Vol. Vii—（915) Ordered to Fort Pillow under command of General Withers. Memorandum of General Beauregard, March 3, 1862. Vol. Viii—（129) Colonel Steedman's First Alabama regiment rendered gallant and efficient service on the 17th of March, 1862.—Report of Gen. J. P. McCown. （161) Commended in report of Capt. E. W. Rucker, regarding Madrid Bend and Island No.10. （174-175) Report of Col. I. G. W. Steedman, Island No.10: ‘Lieutenants Owens and Sanford acted gallantly as men could act.’ Lieutenant Clark killed, 5 men wounded. (778) ‘I sent you the First Alabama regiment two days ago; they are Bragg's best artillerists.’—Gen. Leonidas Polk, March 13th. Vol. Xv—（276-277) Report of Gen. Frank Gardner, Port Hudson, March 14, 1863: ‘Battery served by 4 companies of Colonel Steedman's regiment; the other companies posted as sharpshooters. Gallant conduct of men at batteries deserving of highest praise.’ （278) One officer wounded, Port Hudson, La., March 14, 1863. （841) Aggregate present for duty 312—report of Gen. Wm. N. R. Beall, Port Hudson, October 22, 1862. （1033) Heavy artillery, Colonel Steedman commanding, March 31, 1863. （1062) Heavy artillery, Lieut.-Col. M. B. Locke commanding. Vol. XVII, Part 2—（600) Abstract from statement of [54] troops at and about Grenada, Miss., June 14, 1862. Aggregate 169, commanded by General Villepigue. （661) Aggregate 193, with General Van Dorn at Vicksburg, July, 1862. （726) ‘Steedman's regiment at Port Hudson.’—General Ruggles' letter to Van Dorn, October 11, 1862. （815) With General Pemberton in Mississippi, December, 1862. No. 38—（613) In heavy artillery brigade, department of Mississippi, General Pemberton. （707) Same assignment, April 20, 1863, Col. I. G. W. Steedman. No. 41—（36-37) Report of Lieut.-Col. M. B. Locke of operations near Port Hudson, May 17, 1863: ‘Capt. J. G. Stubbs, Company C, held the enemy in check until nearly surrounded.’ Captain Pruett and Lieutenant Cregnies mentioned. One man wounded. (143) Paroled at Port Hudson, July, 1863. （144) Lieut. Thomas Frank killed at siege of Port Hudson. （147) Killed 2, wounded 2. Casualties in General Beall's brigade up to June 1, 1863. （156) Killed 2, wounded 8. Report of Colonel Steedman, operations May 25th to July 7th, Port Hudson. （157) Report of Colonel Steedman, May 26th, mentions Lieutenant-Colonel Locke. （161) Report of Colonel Steedman, June 10th, mentions Capts. J. F. Whitfield and James D. Meadows, also Maj. Samuel L. Knox. （156-163) Reports of Colonel Steedman, June 29th, Major Knox commanding. (163) April 20th, Colonel Steedman says: ‘The fine discipline and buoyant spirits of the regiment were conspicuous during the entire siege. In their exposed position they were assaulted incessantly, almost every day and night, but never successfully.’ （166) Mentioned in
