Alan J. Pitts
Pope Walker Legion.....
Mon Mar 19 10:35:43 2001


Your original thought may not be too far off base. It's wasn't necessary for Pope Walker himself to have been in command of the Legion mentioned in the letter; many early companies were named for a popular military or political leader, or a local patron, such as the "Mollie Walton Guards" of Limestone County. Not knowing the context of the letter, I could only speculate on the possibility of this name being used in reference to a larger unit such as a battalion or regiment. The 19th Alabama organized at Blue Springs just north of Huntsville in September of 1861; it's possible that it may have been styled "Pope Walker's Legion".

Two Limestone County companies organized in the late summer of 1861. Both later joined Col. L. M. Walker's 40th Tennessee, but no one would have known of him until these companies arrived at their rendezvous, which happened to be Memphis, Tennessee. Thse companies were the "Confederate Bricks" led by Captain Hiram H. Higgins, and G. W. Whitfield’s "Alabama Hickories". Members of the "Confederate Bricks" were accepted for twelve months service August 1, 1861, at Athens, Alabama, and mustered at Memphis, Tennessee, October 5, 1861, as Company “A”, 40th Tennessee Infantry Regiment. Whitfield's company organized at Mooresville, Alabama, September 5, 1861, and enrolled for twelve months service at Camp Johnston near Memphis, Tennessee, September 25, 1861. Officers and men served as Company “E” of the 40th Tennessee Infantry Regiment.

As you mentioned, these companies later joined the 54th Alabama.

If you would reproduce the lines from the letter which reference the "Pope Walker Legion", it might be helpful for those of us who would like to identify this unit. The names of any individuals who might have been involved would be interesting as well.

• Pope Walker brigade — John C. Carter, Mon Mar 19 11:35
• Pope Walker Legion — Alan J. Pitts, Mon Mar 19 12:28