Alan J. Pitts
Re: Lewis' Battalion
Tue Apr 10 15:42:11 2001


I'm unaware of anything more that you described written about this relatively obscure command. The battalion served with Armistead's Brigade during the last eight months of 1864; prior to that time two companies under command of Capt. Lewis operated out of Talladega under orders of the Conscript Bureau, gathering recruits and deserters. In April of 1864 there was an attempt to assemble ten Alabama companies and form a regiment for Col. Bryan M. Thomas, but only four companies actually reported. These were turned over to Lewis as senior captain, who was promoted to major. Lewis was killed in the battalion's first battle at LaFayette GA, June 24, 1864. I suggest reading about Armistead's Regiment (AKA 12th Mississippi or 16th Confederate), its history being virtually the same as that of Armistead's Brigade. Here's the URL:

http://infomart2000.com/mcknight/civilwar/ArmisteadsCalvary/16thConfederateCalvaryHistory.htm