Alan J. Pitts
Re: 6th AL cavalry Abner William Eddins ?
Wed Jun 6 11:12:50 2001


In his history of the unit, Willis Brewer states that Captain Joseph B. Hutto of Co. "I", 6th Alabama Cavalry, was wounded at Manning's Mill. You run the risk of damaging your eyesight by trying to find Manning's Mill in the Official Atlas of the Civil War, as it doesn't appear in the index. However, you may eventually locate it southwest of Marietta GA near Sandtown. A skirmish took place there on June 27, 1864, at which time the 6th Alabama and Clanton's Battery was temporarily attached to Armstrong's Brigade.

As you probably know, Clanton was back at Blue Mountain AL within a matter of days, becoming road kill for Rousseau's Federals at Ten Islands/Greensport on July 14, 1864. That story is told very well by David Evans in "Sherman's Horsemen", chapter six, Rousseau's Raid, From Decatur to Eastaboga, July 10-15, 1864. Here's a link to some info on Evans and his book:

http://members.aol.com/BookKritik/evansb.html

I've not read better history, especially for those of us hungry for details of lesser-known operations such as McCook's, Stoneman's and Rousseau's raids.

To return to your question about the whereabouts of the 6th Alabama Cavalry, the Birmingham Public Library has a transcript of Capt. Charles T. Hardeman's letters. In one dated about May 15, 1864, he writes from camp at Blue Mountain AL. At the time many troops from Mississippi and Alabama were passing that point on the way to join Johnston's army in north Georgia. Hardeman notes this and remarks that it doesn't seem proper for his regiment to be in a rear area while others are being hurried to the front. "I am ashamed to say to what command I belong", he confesses.

Evidently General Clanton received permission to join the Army of Tennessee at some time in late May. He was in Georgia little more than month. I recall (most of this is from unreliable memory) seeing requisitions dated June 30, 1864, at Powder Springs GA. I'm unaware of any significant action that involved Armstrong's command at this time. It evidently became cumbersome for Brigadier General Clanton to be about without a proper command. Hardeman reports a rumor that Clanton would receive command of the Alabama cavalry brigade then led by Col. Hagan, but was probably never seriously considered.

Noting that the 6th Alabama Cavalry had disappeard from the roster of units on duty with the Army of Tennessee, the War Department asked General Johnston to explain what had become of it. Johnston replied that Clanton had said that his command had been rendering good service in Alabama in rounding up conscripts and deserters. Johnston then directed Clanton to return to Alabama and keep up the good work, or words to that effect. That ended the 6th Alabama's brief connection with the Army of Tennessee.

Clanton's defeat at Greensport/Ten Islands revealed the weaknesses of his command, which were many:

1) Inadequate numbers,
2) Inadequate experience,
3) Inadequate arms and equipment,
4) Poor leadership,
5) Poor morale, and probably others. You get the idea.

Based on the above and General Johnston's unwillingness to retain Clanton's men, I'd have to describe his command as military police, having many of the qualities of German anti-partisan units which operated behind the lines in the Soviet Union. Look at it this way: it was a dirty job, but somebody had to do it....