Kevin Gray
27th Alabama
Sat Feb 24 16:42:54 2001


The majority of the 27th Alabama was captured at Ft. Donelson and sent to P.O.W. camps. -- A remnant, mostly those who were sick in the hospitals at the time, reorganized into 2 companies at Tuscumbia in March 1862. They were still there during the battle at Shiloh.

J.P. Cannon was one of those men and wrote the following in "Inside of Rebeldom" (published 1900):
http://www.civilwarancestor.com/STORE/files/Ebook0017.htm

"...we learned that Capt. Roberts, of the 27th, was collecting the remnant of the regiment, those who were at hospitals and off on detail when Fort Donelson fell. We reported promptly and found about 50 of the boys in camps at Tuscumbia, Ala., where we remained through the month of March, by which time we had gotten up 150 men, all who were left of the 1,000 who had started out three months before. There we organized into two companies, and having about a full complement of officers, they took command according to their respective ranks in the regiment... we were not surprised when the roar of artillery was borne to us over the placid bosom of the Tennessee on that Sunday morning of April 6. Gen. Johnston was one of our ideal commanders, and we had full confidence in his ability, with the vast army which he had collected, to retrieve the waning fortunes of the Confederacy.

Presuming that our little squad, so far from the scene of action, would be overlooked, and eager to "hear drums and see a battle," we immediately telegraphed him that we had 150 men at Tuscumbia subject to his order; but no orders came then, and we spent the whole of that bloody Sunday listening with intense anxiety to the storm raging around Shiloh Church.

Early on Monday morning we received a reply to our telegram instructing us to come at once, and having no baggage nor accouterments, it required but a short time to roll up our blankets and hasten to the depot. The battle had been resumed, and the rumble of guns, like distant thunder, was more constant, if possible, than on the preceding day. The most encouraging telegrams were constantly being received—our boys had driven a portion of the enemy into the Tennessee River, captured many thousand prisoners, and were finishing up the work begun on Sunday. This was the substance of the news which was passing over the wires, and while waiting impatiently for a train the telegraph office was the center of attraction to get the latest information.

It was the middle of the afternoon before our train arrived, which we boarded, hoping to reach the scene of the conflict in time for the third day’s battle, provided there was anything left for us to fight. We heard no more from the front during the short trip, and when we reached Corinth we were stunned by the changed state of affairs; the battle had closed, the victory of Sunday had been turned into defeat on Monday, and our army was in retreat..."

Hope this helps!

Kevin Gray
Commander, 27th Alabama Infantry (Reactivated)