Alan Pitts
Gracie's Brigade
Mon Jan 22 23:36:03 2001


Gracie's Brigade had been stationed in East Tennessee during 1863 and never really considered part of the Army of Tennessee. It fought with the Army of Tennessee at Chickamauga, but was detached with Longstreet and sent back to East Tennessee in October 1863.

This unit arrived at Richmond on May 4, 1864, including the 41st, 43rd, 59th and 60th Alabama Infantry Regiments, as well as the 23rd Sharpshooter Battalion. They turned away a Union cavalry raid on the city on May 12th and helped defeat Butler at Drewry's Bluff on May 16th. Remaining near Chaffin's Bluff until June 17, 1864, Gracie's men were rushed south to thwart Grant's first attacks on Petersburg the following day.

The brigade held a part of the Petersburg lines just east of the city from June 29, 1864, until March 14, 1865. In time it became known as Gracie's Salient. General Gracie lost his life to a sharpshooter on December 2, 1864. Young M. Moody of the 43rd Alabama was promoted in his stead.

Moody's Alabamians took up picket positions along Hatcher's Run near the Crow House. A Union advance here was repelled on March 25, 1865. When the Federals gained ground along the Boydton Plank Road four days later, Lee personally directed a four-brigade counterstrike, Col. Stansel of the 41st Alabama leading this brigade. Initially two Federals divisions were pressed back in disorder to Gravelly Run. However, reinforcements turned the tables and Confederates were forced back to their original lines with heavy losses. The flag of the 41st was lost here.

If you are interested in the final ten days, I have that available also.






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