Henry Seale
40TH Alabama Infantry Consolidation
Wed Nov 22 17:10:04 2000


Hayes, I am slowly, but surely doing serious research on the 40TH for the purpose of writting a history of the regiment. I am curious about this history of Hiram Steele Fincher who was a member of Co. A. Is this a history of his war experiences and is it published? If so, what is the proper title as I would like very much to have a copy.

As to the consolidation of the 40TH into the 19TH, there is a lot of confusion as to the records of the Army of Tennessee after the Battle of Bentonville. According to information that I have gleaned from the National and Alabama Archives, including muster rolls and other documents concerning the 40TH and all of the Consolidated Service Records of both the 40TH and the 19TH and the diaries of Capt. Willet of Co. B (later Major), Sgt. Curry of Co. B,the published work of H.S. Williams of Co. C,the writtings of my great grandfather Sgt. Benjamin B. Seale of Co.F,the published letters of Pvt. Grant Taylor of Co.B, and the published writtings of Capt. S.H. Sprott of Co. A and a newspaper article written by Lt.Col. E.S. Gulley of the 40TH, the 40TH was not consolidated into the 19TH until 09 April 1865 and certainly not at Spanish Fort, Alabama in November 1864.

I am not sure as to what other regiments that may have been also consolidated into the 19TH, but I am sure there was at least one other, probably the 46TH and possiably the 37TH. As to the number of men with the 19TH at the surrender, I do not know your source for the number of 76 that you stated, but in researching the Consolidated Service Records, I have identified at least 175 men that were definently former members of the 40TH that are listed as surrendering as members of the 19TH. At the consolidation on 09 April 1865 M.L. Woods of the 46TH became col. of the 19TH, E.S. Gulley of the 40TH became lt. col. of 19TH, and E.D.Willett of the 40TH became major of the 19TH.

I look forward to discussing this and anythig else about the 40TH with you.

Regards,
Henry

• 40th consolidation — Hayes Lowe, Wed Nov 22 21:10