Alan J. Pitts
Lookout Mtn., not Missionary Ridge....
Tue Mar 13 23:03:13 2001


John P. Toney enlisted in Capt. Watkins' company in Greene County on Oct. 29, 1861. By this time it had joined the 20th Ala. Inf. Regt. at Mobile. Here are my notes on this company and its captains:

Company “E” of Greene County “Greene County Greys No. 2”

Robert E. Watkins. Resigned August 2, 1862, citing poor health.
John McKee Gould. Promoted Captain November 2, 1862, to rank September 5, 1862. Surrendered at Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 4, 1863; exchanged there on July 8, 1863. Appointed acting Assistant Adjutant General (A.A.I.G.) by General Pettus on October 15, 1863. Wounded [at Resaca, Georgia, May 15, 1864, and Columbia, Tennessee, November 29, 1864]. [University of Alabama/class of 1850]

Members enlisted in state service, Greene County, Alabama, September 10, 1861, and mustered on September 16, 1861. Survivors surrendered at Salisbury, North Carolina, as Company “A”, consolidated 20th Alabama Infantry Regiment.

This regiment was sent to eastern Tennessee in the spring of 1862 and remained on duty in the mountains for almost a year. During that time the 20th Alabama went into Kentucky when the Confederates attempted to take the state, but were not involved in any fighting. In April 1863 it was placed in a brigade with other Alabama regiments and sent to Mississippi. Officers and men fought Grant's advance at Port Gibson on May 1, 1863, and again at Baker's Creek, May 16, 1863. They were surrendered with the garrison of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863. During this time John P. Toney was appointed 4th Corporal of his company on Dec. 17, 1862, and exchanged with all other survivors of his regiment on July 8, 1863.

After a short stay in parole camp near Demopolis, the regiment was rearmed and sent to Chattanooga. When Grant took steps to break the Confederate lines around the city, the 20th Alabama was stationed on top of Lookout Mountain as part of Pettus' Brigade. When the Federal army crossed Lookout Creek and swept Confederate pickets off the west slopes of the mountain, General Pettus took part of his brigade down the road on the east face of the mountain to confront the Federals. If you visit Lookout Mountain today, turn right as you drive up the Mountain when you see the sign pointing toward Craven House. The Federals had taken this position by midday, but their advance came to a halt when Pettus established a line a few hundred yards east of Craven House. You will see the brigade markers on the road. Regimental reports say your ancestor was killed here. Let me know if you would like to know more.

There's also a good regimetal histry on the 7th Ala. Cav. Regt. William L. Toney joined Co. "B" of this regiment on Aug. 26, 1863. This unit picketed north of Pensacola for the better part of a year, and then went north to join General Forrest's cavalry. It was part of Rucker's Brigade during his famous Johnsonville raid, and also fought along the Granny White Pike when Hood's army was defeated outside Nashville. The regiment skirmished with Wilson's cavalry from Benton, Ala. (April 10, 1865) until it was pushed as far as the Georgia line a week later. Then survivors rode west to the opposite side of the state to rejoin Forrest's command. William L. Toney surrendered with Forrest's cavalry at Gainesville AL on May 11, 1865. Again, let me know if you would like more and I'll try to point you in the right direction.