Hayes Lowe
Union discussion.
Tue Sep 19 11:47:32 2000


I can't speak for the owners of this bulletin board, but the title of the board "Alabama in the Civil War" certainly does not indicate that this board is limited to discussion only about the Confederate aspect of Alabama in the Civil War. The following is only my personal opinion, however.

Much of northern Alabama was occupied by Union troops during the war. I think that is sufficiently about "Alabama in the Civil War" to be a proper subject of discussion here. So are the prison camps in Alabama (such as Cahaba and Tuscaloosa). And, so are the Union soldiers from other states who served duty in Alabama, were captured in Alabama, and/or died in Alabama.

Also, many Alabamians fought for the Union. One number that has been given is 2,726 white males, including reenlistments, served the Union Army from Alabama. This number appears to not include the 800 Alabama men who deserted and joined the six regiments of the United States Volunteers, nor the 150 who deserted and joined the United States Navy. It also does not include the *many* Alabamians of African descent who joined the Union army, particularly those who enlisted (or more likely were forceably conscripted) near Huntsville. Nor, those of African descent who willingly volunteered for Union service at Corinth, Miss.

Also notable is the fact that fully half of the men of Walker Co. who served in the Civil War joined the Union forces. And 500 men of Franklin Co. joined the Union forces. Many North Alabamians joined the Union forces in Tennessee and were probably not included in the count of 2,726.

While the greater majority of Alabamians served for the Confederacy, the Confederacy by no means had a monopoly on Alabama soldiers.








Go Back To Archive Page

Go To Alabama CW Message Board