THE THIRTY-SECOND ALABAMA INFANTRY.

The rendezvous of the regiment was at Mobile, where it was organized in April, 1862. In July it was sent into Tennessee, and received its baptism of fire at Bridgeport, where it crossed the river. It was this regiment that captured Stevenson, Tenn. It was in middle Tennessee under General Forrest, and was overpowered and lost a number of prisoners at Lavergne, October, 1862. The regiment met severe loss at Murfreesboro and its roll of honor is a long one. It was sent to the relief of Vicksburg, and did valiant work in the trenches at Jackson, where, in repulsing an attack of the enemy without loss, it slaughtered 260. It rejoined the army of Tennessee and at Chickamauga suffered severely. During the winter of 1863-64, the regiment was transferred from Adams' to Clayton's brigade and consolidated with the Fiftyeighth under Col. Bush. Jones, and took part in the Atlanta campaign; was with Hood in Tennessee, taking part at Franklin twice, at Columbia and Nashville. Transferred to the district of the Gulf under General Maury, it suffered serious losses during the siege of Spanish Fort and was finally surrendered at Meridian. Capt. G. W. Cox was severely wounded at Missionary Ridge, and Lieuts. J. J. Keith and Hiram Slay were killed at Murfreesboro. The field officers were Col. Alexander McKinstry, Lieut.-Col. Harry Maury, captured at Lavergne, wounded at Murfreesboro and Jackson, afterward transferred to the command of the Fifteenth Confederate. After consolidation, Col. Bush. Jones was in command; he was promoted and succeeded by Maj. Harry Thornton, and later by Maj. John C. Kimbell. Majs. Thomas P. Ashe and Thomas S. Easton were also among its officers. Source: Confederate Military History, vol. VIII, p. 157 Stone's River after battle report: Report of Lieut. Col. Henry Maury, Thirty-second Alabama Infantry. TULLAHOMA, TENN., January 12, 1863. CAPT.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part borne by the Thirty-second Alabama Infantry, under my command, in this brigade, in the battle of Wednesday, December 31, 1862, before Murfreesborough: We were placed on the left of the line of battle, the right of the brigade resting near Stone's River, and advanced in line under severe fire of artillery until nearly up with the burnt buildings, known, I believe, as Cowan's, when we were ordered to move by the right flank some 300 yards. Immediately afterward I was ordered to advance in line toward the enemy, leaving sufficient space on my right for the deployment of Col. Fisk's regiment (Sixteenth Louisiana), which had been thrown into column of companies. In this order we advanced beyond the fences surrounding the burnt buildings under a very destructive cross-fire of artillery and small-arms, and, owing to a picket fence on my left, there was not quire room for the Sixteenth Louisiana to deploy, causing a temporary confusion, which, however, was speedily remedied by Gen. Adams. At this point we commenced firing, but finding that it was not efficient on account of the excellent cover of the enemy, I ordered the regiment to cease firing and charge. At this moment we were exposed not only to the sweeping fire in front, but to a withering fire of musketry and grape from the cedar brake on our left, not more than 200 yards distant, and also a severe fire from the right, under which my men fell rapidly. Before we had advance far I received a wound which disabled me for the time, and at the same moment we received the order to fall back, which as far as I could see, was done in good order. After having had my wound dressed, I gathered what was left of the regiment, which had suffered very severely (as will be seen by the accompanying report of casualties), and reported them to Gen. Adams. We were not again under fire on that day. Adjt. John L. Chandler acted with conspicuous gallantry, and rendered efficient service in preserving good order in the regiment. The officers and men all, as far as I could judge, did their duty, and acted satisfactorily under the galling fire and trying circumstances we encountered. Very respectfully, H. MAURY, Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Thirty-second Alabama Regt. [Capt.] E. P. GUILLET, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Adams' Brigade. Source: Official Records Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Maj. John C. Kimbell, Thirty-second Alabama Infantry. THIRTY-SECOND ALABAMA REGT., In the Field, September 24, 1863. CAPT.: In obedience to circular orders of this date, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the late engagement: On the morning of the 20th [Sunday], the regiment moved, with the brigade, toward the enemy, and, after advancing about 1 1/2 miles, halted and formed line of battle. The regiment was then ordered by Brig.-Gen. Adams to take position on the right flank of the brigade, and to protect that flank in case of the approach of the enemy. The regiment was immediately placed in position, and one company [G, Lieut. Wing commanding] was deployed as skirmishers, the right of their line resting some 200 yards in rear of the line occupied by the brigade, and the main line of skirmishers some 200 yards in advance of the right flank of the brigade. After remaining in this position about one and a half hours, I received orders to move to a position 200 yards in advance of the brigade and support Austin's battalion of sharpshooters, then some 300 yards in advance, my regiment acting as a reserve. Shortly after reaching this new position, the whole command was ordered to advance, and I was ordered to resume my former position on the right flank. I moved my regiment by the right flank down a road leading directly to the main Chattanooga road. Upon reaching the road, I was ordered by Capt. Labouisse, assistant inspector-general, to halt and report any advance of the enemy on the Chattanooga road. I remained here, moving to the front or rear, across the road, as the brigade moved. During this time the regiment was exposed only to the shells of the enemy and no casualties had occurred. After remaining on the Chattanooga road about an hour, I was ordered by Capt. Labouisse to fall back and rejoin the brigade, which I did, and found it formed in line of battle across the Chattanooga road. I took position on the right of the Thirteenth and Twentieth Louisiana Regt.'s, and Austin's battalion sharpshooters formed on my right. The brigade was then ordered to retire by the left flank. When the command had moved about three-quarters of a mile to the rear, line of battle was again formed, and I took position in the line, with the Sixteenth and Twenty-fifth Louisiana Regt.'s on my right and the Nineteenth Louisiana on my left. Shortly afterward the brigade moved by the left flank across a ravine, and formed line again and stacked arms. After resting in this position about one and a half hours the brigade was ordered to move by the left flank to the front, and after advancing some 250 yards came to a halt and formed line immediately in rear of a line of works made of logs, fence rails, rocks, &c. We remained in line in this last position until 5.30 p. m., when we were ordered to advance in line and to change direction to the left. After moving forward in the direction indicated, the order was given to charge the enemy, which was done, my regiment moving forward at double-quick in excellent style, driving the enemy before [them], taking their line of works and driving them out, and did not halt until we had advanced some 50 or 60 yards beyond the Chattanooga road. It was now quite dark, and the regiment stacked arms and rested for the night in line of battle, and in the same position in the line as we were when the charge was ordered. The loss of the regiment throughout the whole day was very small, only 4 men being wounded [2 severely and 2 slightly] and none killed. During the engagement both officers and men acted with much coolness and courage, and as all did their duty so well no particular mention can be made of any one. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNo. C. KIMBELL, Maj., Comdg. Thirty-second Alabama Regt. Capt. H. H. BEIN, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records CHAP. XLII.] THE CHICKAMAUGA CAMPAIGN. PAGE 219-51 [Series I. Vol. 30. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 51.]

Alabama 32nd Infantry (Confederate)

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