THE FIFTH ALABAMA INFANTRY.

The Fifth Alabama regiment was organized at Montgomery, May 5, 1861. Its first duty was at Pensacola, Fla. In August it was ordered to report to the commending officer of the army of Northern Virginia. Its first colonel was the renowned Robert E. Rodes, who was promoted to brigadier-general, October 21, 1861, and to the rank of major-general, May 2, 1863. He was distinguished in all the battles of Northern Virginia and was wounded and disabled at Seven Pines, but recovered sufficiently to resume command of the brigade at the battles of Boonsboro and Sharpsburg. He was then placed in command of a division, which he led in its brilliant charge on Hooker's line at Chancellorsville, and it was for his gallantry in this battle that he received the commission of major-general. He was greatly distinguished at Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, the second battle of Cold Harbor, Castleman's Ferry, Kernstown and Winchester. In the latter battle, while triumphantly leading his division, he received a mortal wound, lamented by his commanders and the entire army of Northern Virginia, toward whose great victories he had largely contributed. Generals Lee and Stonewall Jackson spoke of him in terms of highest commendation, and at Gettysburg his gallantry and skillful conduct elicited from General Lee his admiration and special thanks. The next commander of this regiment was Christopher C. Pegues, who, like General Rodes, also reached great distinction, and after winning the encomiums of his commander for his gallantry in many battles, was killed while leading his regiment in the bloody charge at Cold Harbor. Allen T. Jones, Lafayette Hobson and Josephus M. Hall afterward succeeded in command of this regiment. John T. Morgan, afterward a brigadier-general, was at one time its lieutenant-colonel, and Eugene Blackford its major. Its first severe engagement was at Seven Pines, May 31 and June 1, 1862, where it lost 27 killed and 128 wounded. It also earned a well-merited meed of honor at Gaines' Mill and Cold Harbor, June 27th and 28th; Malvern Hill, July 1st to 5th; Second Manassas, August 30th; Boonsboro, September 15th; Sharpsburg, September 17, 1862; Chancellorsville, May 1 and 4, 1863; Gettysburg, July 1 to 3, 1863; the Wilderness, May 5, 6 and 7, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 8 to 18, 1864; Second Cold Harbor, June 1 to 12, 1864; advance upon Washington, July, 1864; battle of Winchester, July 24, 1864, and the terrible conflict in the trenches around Petersburg, September, 1864, to April, 1865. Among the other officers who were killed in battle were Capt. G. W. Johnson at Cold Harbor, Capt. William T. Renfro at Chancellorsville, Capt. N. R. E. Ferguson at the Wilderness, Capt. George Reed near Winchester, Capt. J. N. Gilchrist at Second Cold Harbor, Lieut. L. D. Wiley at Seven Pines, Lieutenant Ramsey at Gaines' Mill, and Lieut. Albert J. Wilcox at Gettysburg. Source: Confederate Military History, vol. VIII, p. 66 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Col. J. M. Hall, Fifth Alabama Infantry. Near Hagerstown, Md., July 9, 1863. Lieut.: In obedience to orders from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following report of the action of the Fifth Alabama Regt. since leaving Grace Church, Va.: The regiment left camp, near Grace Church, Caroline County, Va., June 4, and arrived at Culpeper Court-House on the 7th. On June 9, it was moved to support Maj.-Gen. Stuart, then engaging the enemy's cavalry near Brandy Station, but the enemy was driven back before the regiment was engaged. On June 10, the line of march was resumed, and on the 13th the command reached Berryville, in the Valley of Virginia, when the enemy posted there fled on the approach of our troops. On the next day, the command was moved forward, and arrived at Martinsburg about dark. The enemy stationed at Martinsburg moved off before the infantry became engaged. On the 15th, the command moved to Williamsport, and rested four days; then moved forward through the following places at the times respectively specified: Hagerstown, Md., June 19; Greencastle, Pa., June 22; Chambersburg, Pa., June 24; Shippensburg, Pa., June 26; Carlisle, June 27. The regiment reached Gettysburg, Pa., by way of Petersburg from Carlisle, Pa., July 1, where the enemy was actually encountered for the first time at the battle of Gettysburg. The brigade was moved in line of battle, the movement commencing about 2 miles from the town, the right resting nearer to and in the direction of the enemy. The brigade moved 1 1/2 miles at a right wheel; hence the Fifth Alabama Regt., being on the left of the brigade, was compelled to move very rapidly--frequently at a run. It is but just to state that the ground was very rough. In places the regiment moved through full-grown wheat, in others over plowed ground, through orchards, gardens, over wood and stone fences, which, with the rapidity of the march, fatigued the men, causing many of them to faint from exhaustion. When within 500 yards of the enemy, the four regiments on my right were ordered forward, and the Fifth Alabama Regt. was halted in reserve, to protect the right flank of Gen. Doles and the left flank of that part of Rodes' brigade which was then advancing. After resting in this position a half hour, orders were sent to me to advance on the enemy, composed of two heavy lines of infantry in front and a line of sharpshooters, supported by infantry and artillery, on my left flank. The enemy in front was engaged by the right wing, the left having been thrown back at right angles with the rest of the line, to engage the flanking party. The regiment fought in this position until I was informed that the troops on the right were falling back, when I ordered a retrograde movement to the position I previously occupied. This was done the more conscientiously because the odds opposed were very great, and my command was under a front and enfilading fire, with no support, and suffering a very severe loss. After the enemy was driven through the town, the command was posted in rear of the railroad, which position was held, though subject to a constant and severe shelling, until late on the evening of July 2, when the command was ordered forward to support a line of battle in front. This movement was prosecuted until orders came to fall back on the Cashtown road; that is, the regiment occupied that street in Gettysburg which is a continuation of the Cashtown road. This position was occupied all night, the men lying on their arms. The next morning all of the brigade was ordered to Gen. Edward Johnson, excepting the Fifth Alabama Regt., which was reserved to guard the streets of Gettysburg. At 3 p. m. I was ordered to report to Gen. Doles. Was posted on his left, and remained in line of battle until 12 o'clock at night, when I received orders to report to my brigade, which had then returned to Rodes' division. On the morning of July 4, the march was resumed, and the command reached Hagerstown, Md., without any further engagement. I would respectfully state that the general conduct of my command was all that I could desire. I would beg to mention the names of the following officers, who were conspicuous for their gallantry and courage: Capt. T. M. Riley, in command of the right wing; Capts. E. B. Moseley and J. M. Gilchrist; Lieuts. Burton Goode, John A. Kirkland, E. P. Jones, and J. F. Christian. Adjt. C. I. Pegues acted with conspicuous gallantry. Many brave men were killed. Lieut. [Albert J.] Wilcox, a most gallant officer, was killed on the field. The entire loss was-Officers and men. K. W. M. T. Officers................... 1 11 3 15 Enlisted men............... 20 110 64 194 Total*................. 21 121 67 209 K=Killed. W=Wounded. M=Missing. T=Total. Respectfully, &c., J. M. HALL, Col., Comdg. Fifth Alabama Regt. Lieut. S. H. Moore, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Rodes' Brigade. ----------Reports of Maj. Eugene Blackford, Fifth Alabama Infantry. Darkesville, W. Va., July 17, 1863. Lieut.: I have the honor to make the following report of the action of the corps of sharpshooters under my command during the battle of July 1, 2, and 3: The corps was deployed 2 miles from Gettysburg, with the left resting upon the Heidlersburg pike. After receiving instructions from Gen. Rodes to keep connected with those on my right, and feel for Gen. Early's advance on the left, I moved steadily forward upon the town, driving in the cavalry vedettes, posted in the road and on commanding hills. About half a mile from the suburbs, a large force of cavalry was observed in line, with a heavy line of men dismounted as skirmishers. The former charged us twice, but were easily repulsed. After an hour or more of active skirmishing, the enemy's infantry advanced in force through the town, and, under cover of a cloud of skirmishers, moved upon our batteries. The right company of my command annoyed these very much, holding their position steadily until our infantry came up. Against the center there was no movement by any force heavier than a double line of sharpshooters, whom our men invariably drove back, charging them once in gallant style. On the extreme left, the enemy advanced in three lines, and drove in my men there posted behind the trees. These retired, firing from tree to tree until they met Gordon's brigade advancing, after which they were rallied on the center at the sound of my bugle. The whole command then moved up the pike, and, passing through the town, took up its position on the left of Ramseur's brigade, then lying in the Fairfield road. After dark, I reported to the colonel commanding brigade. July 2, about 9 o'clock, my corps was deployed in front of the Fairfield road, where it remained until dark, when I took position in the suburbs of Gettysburg, as near the enemy's lines as possible, the men being sheltered in the houses. At daybreak on the 3d, we opened fire upon the enemy's artillery and skirmishers, and upon their lines of battle whenever they advanced, as they frequently did. This must have annoyed the enemy very seriously, as the average number of rounds fired was not less than 200, at ranges varying from 300 to 500 yards. The Northern papers confess that their gunners could not stand to their guns, and that the officers were picked off by rebel sharpshooters. One battery near us, after firing several shots at us, was removed out of our sight. Our loss was not more than 20 killed and wounded. No list of casualties is inclosed, as they have been returned on the lists of the respective regiments. Abundant supplies of ammunition were obtained by sending details through the town to collect cartridge-boxes. At daylight on the 4th, I was ordered to fall back through the town, and deploy in front of the new line of battle on the hills to the west. This was accomplished just before sunrise. Though all acted so well that I scarcely like to make a distinction, yet I must call your attention to the conduct of Sergt. Christopher Clark, commanding the company from the Fifth Alabama Regt. He handled his company throughout with great skill and courage, and would well fill a commission. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, EUGENE BLACKFORD, Maj. Fifth Alabama, Comdg. Battalion of Sharpshooters. Lieut. S. H. Moore, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Rodes' Brigade. ----Milltown, Va., July 24, 1863. Lieut.: The corps of sharpshooters under my command was sent to the front at Manassas Gap about 3.30 o'clock. I reported to the commanding officer of Wright's brigade, who placed me on his left, my right resting near the road. The enemy attacked in force about two hours after, driving in my extreme right, with those of Wright's brigade. I rallied the whole command on a commanding bluff to the left of the road, some quarter of a mile to the rear, whence they annoyed the advancing columns of the enemy very seriously, firing until it was too dark to see. At 11 p. m. we retired, and rejoined the brigade at daylight on the Luray pike. Very respectfully, EUGENE BLACKFORD, Maj., Comdg. Battalion of Sharpshooters. Lieut. S. H. Moore, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Rodes' Brigade.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part II. Reports. Serial No. 44

Alabama 5th Infantry (Confederate)

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