Hayes Lowe
Confusing consolidations.
Wed Nov 22 09:28:11 2000


Henry, the record is very confused on this issue of consolidation for the 40th.

Some evidence suggests that the 19th consolidated with the 40th and 46th at Salisbury, N.C., just before surrender. Other evidence suggests it was consolidated at Bentonville. According to the Alabama Department of Archives and History, the 19th and the 40th were consolidated and placed in Gen. Edmund Pettus' Brigade after the battle of Bentonville, N.C. on March 22-23, 1865. At any rate, the 19th only had 76 men with it at the surrender.

Still other evidence indicates that the 19th did not consolidate with the 40th and 46th at all. Instead, this evidence indicates that the 40th consolidated with the 37th, 54th, and 42nd Alabama Infantries. Again, there are contradictions in this evidence as to when and where this took place. Some sources indicate November 1864 at Spanish Fort. Others indicate March 19th, 1865 at Bentonville. [Baker's Brigade is documented to have contained the men of the 37th, 40th, and 42nd Alabama at that time.] The regiment was officially called the 37th Alabama Infantry Regiment Consolidated.

I'm still researching information given in the history of Hiram Steele Fincher, a member of the 40th's Co. A, which states that Company A was formed primarily of men from Pickens and Mobile Counties.

• 40TH Alabama Infantry Consolidation — Henry Seale, Wed Nov 22 17:10
• 40th consolidation — Hayes Lowe, Wed Nov 22 21:10