THE TWENTY FIRST ALABAMA INFANTRY.

This regiment was organized in Mobile in October, 1861, and served that winter at Mobile. In March, 1862, it proceeded to Corinth and was distinguished in the battle of Shiloh, April 6th and 7th, being complimented in general orders. It also fought at Farmington, May 3rd, after which the regiment was ordered back to Mobile. Two of its companies withstood a bombardment of two weeks from 5 gunboats and 6 mortar boats in their attempt to force an entrance to Grant's pass, August, 1864. They held out heroically until, overwhelmed by the immense resources of the enemy, they blew up the fort and evacuated it. The six companies stationed at Fort Gaines held out until August 8, 1864, when they were compelled to surrender. The rest of the regiment formed part of the garrison at Spanish Fort and engaged in its defense, March 26 to April 8, 1865. Lieutenant Dixon, a gallant Kentuckian of this regiment, and several of his command, volunteered to man a submarine torpedo boat in Charleston harbor. They went to sea the night of February 17, 1864, and blew up the Housatonic, of the Federal blockading squadron, but the brave crew all perished by the explosion which destroyed the Federal vessel. Its colonels were James Crawford and Chas. D. Anderson. Its lieutenant-colonels were Andrew J. Ingersol, Stewart W. Cayce, Charles S. Stewart and James M. Williams. Its majors were Frederick K. Stewart, Franklin J. McCoy and Charles G. Johnston. Source: Confederate Military History, vol. VIII, p. 122 Shiloh after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. S. W. Cayce, Twenty-first Alabama Infantry. HDQRS. TWENTY-FIRST REGT. ALABAMA VOLS., Corinth, Miss., April 13, 1862. SIR: I have the honor to submit annexed a tabular statement of the loss sustained by my command [Twenty-first Alabama Volunteers] in the late battle near Monterey, on the 6th and 7th instant, amounting in the aggregate to 198 killed, wounded, and missing. Called suddenly from the rank of lieutenant to the command of the regiment, having only been placed in charge by Gen. Gladden on the 5th instant, I would especially express my sense of the great assistance rendered me by Maj. Stewart and Senior Capt. John F. Jewett acting as field officers, who throughout the whole fight fully sustained themselves as brave and gallant officers. In point of fact, late Sunday evening [when I had the misfortune to have my horse shot, bruising my foot much, and causing me to fall into the hands of the enemy, from whom, however, I was fortunately soon rescued] and Monday morning the regiment was under the major's command. Where all did so well it would seem invidious to make any distinctions; nevertheless I would mention Lieut. Parker, acting adjutant; Capt.'s Chamberlain and Stewart, and Lieut.'s Rogers, Williams, and Savage, as particularly active in the discharge of their several duties. The men, as a general thing, behaved with great steadiness, though exposed at times to a perfect hurricane of shot and shell, no less than 5 men having fallen as color-bearers. The movements of the command having all been by brigade, ordered by brigade commandants, and executed under their supervision, I do not deem it necessary to rehearse them. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. W. CAYCE, Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Twenty-first Alabama Volunteers. Lieut. J. STOUT, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen. [Indorsement.] -,-, 1862. The undersigned having tendered his resignation, the acceptance of which, however, was not received until after the fight, and having been in command, as stated in the report of Lieut.-Col. Cayce, does hereby respectfully concur in said report and indorse its recommendations. F. STEWART, Late Maj. Twenty-first Alabama Volunteers.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 10. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 10

Alabama 21st Infantry (Confederate)

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