Alan J. Pitts
New Company "F"
Wed Mar 7 19:36:47 2001


His service record shows that he enlisted at Clayton, Ala., Feb. 12, 1862, so he's from Barbour County. This regiment reorganized as an artillery unit and was sent to Island Ten. The commanding officer there was advised that they were General Bragg's best artilleriests. When the garrison at Island Ten surrendered, this man was taken to prison with the regiment, spending time at Camp Randall WI and Camp Douglas IL before being exchanged at Vicksburg MS Sept. 23, 1862. The First Alabama then was assigned to the defense of Port Hudson LA, and was surrendered with the garrison of that place on July 9, 1863. Most officers went to prison; the enlisted men (including your ancestor) eventually returned to duty. They manned the heavy guns at Fort Gaines near Mobile for a time. In the spring of 1864 they were transferred to the Army of Tennessee in north Georgia. The regiment fought as infantry in this campaign and in the following one which ended in disaster in Tennessee. Your ancestor was captured during the first day's attacks on Confederate lines just south of the city on Dec. 15, 1864. He again went to Camp Douglas at Chicago IL, and wasn't released until June 6, 1865. A note on his release indicates a home in Tippah County MS, if that means something to you. There's a recently published book on Camp Douglas, if you're interested.

Hope this helps you......






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