THE THIRD ALABAMA CAVALRY

The Third Alabama cavalry was organized at Tupelo, June, 1862 and was formed of companies which had already seen hard service, some of them, as Murphy's battalion, at Shiloh. It was brigaded at various times under Generals Hagan, Morgan, Russell and Allen. It accompanied the army of Tennessee into Kentucky, where it was engaged in continual and arduous duty, protecting the flank and rear, watching communications, and raiding upon the enemy. It was engaged at Perryville, Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Kingston and Knoxville. This regiment took a brilliant part in the famous Sequatchee raid. In the Dalton-Atlanta campaign it was continuously engaged in protecting Hood's movements and harassing Sherman's troops. It fought at Decatur, GA, and assisted in the capture of Stoneman's column. It also took part in the fights about Macon, Aiken, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Raleigh and Chapel Hill, finally surrendering in North Carolina. Its first colonel, James Hagan, was several times wounded, and was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. Captain Robins, who afterward became colonel, was wounded near Fayetteville. Capt. T. H. Mauldin commanded the regiment for a long time; finally resigned with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Capt. J. D. Farish, who was wounded several times, also rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Capt. William Cathy was killed at Perryville, Capt. Thomas Norris at Chapel Hill, and Capt. Thomas Lenoir at Resaca. Capt. Augustus Tomlinson died in the service. Source: Confederate Military History, vol. VIII, p. 257 Stone's River after battle report: Report of Capt. T. H. Mauldin, Third Alabama Cavalry, Wheeler's brigade, including skirmishers December 26-January 5. FOSTERVILLE, TENN., February 19, 1863. COL.: The Third Alabama Cavalry was engaged in skirmishing with the enemy on December 26,27,28, and 29, 1862, from La Vergne to Murfreesborough, Tenn. On the 30th, was present at a skirmish near Jefferson, La Vergne, and Lonensville. On the 31st, was in a charge made by the cavalry upon the right of the Federal army, where it was subjected to a heavy fire of small-arms from infantry and cavalry, losing, however, but 1 man killed and 2 lieutenants and 2 men wounded and left on the field. On January 1 and 2, the regiment was in front of the enemy upon the extreme left of the Confederate army without any fighting. On the night of the 2d, it marched to the rear of the Federal army, and on the 3d was engaged in an attack upon one of the enemy's wagon trains, upon the Nashville Murfreesborough turnpike, and returned to the field of battle near Murfreesborough about an hour before day the morning of the 4th. During the day of the 4th, this regiment moved through Murfreesborough, and bivouacked at night about 2 miles from town, on the Manchester turnpike. On the 5th, was engaged in a fight with some of the Federal infantry 6 miles from Murfreesborough, on the Manchester pike. This ended the series of battles and skirmishers from December 25, 1862, to January 5, 1863 in which the regiment was engaged. During this time the regiments lost, in killed, wounded, and missing, 25, including 3 lieutenants wounded. I would respectfully report that on the memorable field of Murfreesborough, Sergt. Maj. H. M. Cooper and Sergt. J. W. Norwood, of Company A, are worthy of promotion for their gallantry in rallying the regiment and assisting in bringing it out in order from under a galling fire from the enemy's infantry and cavalry combined on December 31, 1862. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, T. H. MAULDIN, Capt., Cmdg. Third Alabama Cavalry. Col. W. B. WADE, Cmdg. First Cavalry Brigade.

Source: Official Records PAGE 962-29 KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. [CHAP. XXXII. [Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.]

Alabama 3rd Cavalry (Confederate)

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