Alan J. Pitts
Historical Memoranda = Calhoun Sharpshooters
Thu Apr 12 22:34:26 2001


This historical sketch appears on the back of a composite roll drawn up at the end of 1864. This form was forwarded to each company as part of an effort document their wartime services. A few of these exist for Alabama commands stationed in Virginia. This is one example on file at the ADAH.

HISTORICAL MEMORANDA

Make such succinct narrative of organization and service, as of Stations, Marches, Battles, Incidents, &c., as may be necessary for perfect record, being particular as to dates.

The Calhoun Sharp Shooters, Co. “B” 5th Ala. Battalion was organized at Jacksonville Alabama on the 10th day of August 1861. On 19th of August 1861 this company left Alabama for Richmond Va. Where it remained till October of the same year at which time it was ordered to Yorktown Va. And formed into a temporary battalion to man the guns that commanded the defences of that town.

This battalion was soon disbanded and this company ordered to report to Lt.Col. Shepherd at Dumfries Va. To form the 5th Ala. Battalion under his command. Col. Shepherd failing to take charge of the companies that had been ordered to report to him, the battalion was organized by Capt. (now Maj.) Vandegraaf the senior captain. I deem it unnecessary to mention the many Brigades to which we have been attached and the many inconveniences endured incident to so small a command. Suffice it to say that in June 1862 we were ordered to report to Brig. Gen. Archer and remained in his brigade until July 1863 when we were detached a Provost Guard for Lt. Gen. Hill’s Corps our command having been reduced so small by casualties as to render it of little service in the line. The preceding will show the number of battles and the numerous casualties to which my company has been and the official reports of the brave and now lamented Archer and the chivalrous A. P. Hill will attest its gallantry in many battles and its noble bearing on many hard fought fields.

I cannot close this brief sketch of my company without a passing tribute to its former commander the gallant Thomas Bush who fell mortally wounded Aug. 30, 1862 and died Sept. 4, 1862. Educated at a Military College and reared in an affectionate family he was alike the skillful soldier and devoted friend. His warmest friends could have wished for him no better fortune than that he could have lived a few months longer for his conspicuous bravery, his skillful leadership and his many virtues would have twined around his noble brow a laurel caplet and inscribed his name on history’s page. But now while his weeping followers hover over the congenial camp fire rehearsing his daring deeds and raise a verbal monument in memoriam, the chilly blasts of Virginia’s winter chant a mournful requiem to his memory.

I hereby certify that the foregoing Record of names, dates, facts and historical memoranda, is correctly given to the best of my knowledge and belief.

STATION: Petersburg Va. ………………………….. A. N. Porter
DATE: Dec. 30th 1864 ………………………………. Capt. Com’dg.