Alan J. Pitts
Re: 8TH Ala. Cav. Regt.
Tue Jul 3 11:05:03 2001


There were also two 4th and two 7th Alabama cavalry regiments. We can blame inadequate communications and records-keeping facilities. The one recruited in west-central Alabama was Hatch's or Ball's. There was a conflict about who was entitled to lead this regiment, which had two colonels. Here are my notes about the regiment and companies assigned at its organization:

8th (BALL’S ) ALABAMA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY REGIMENT

ARMISTEAD’S BRIGADE
DISTRICT OF CENTRAL ALABAMA

On September 23, 1863, Major Lemuel Hatch received authority to enroll exempts for six months service in a local defense battalion. By Christmas of that year three companies had organized at Demopolis, Alabama, others being in various stages of formation. Members (most under eighteen years of age) reenlisted in Confederate service for three years or the war on February 10, 1864, and went into camp at Tuscaloosa, Alabama. However, on April 26, 1864, General Polk appointed Charles P. Ball colonel, Hatch becoming lieutenant colonel. Colonel Ball moved his regimental camp to Newbern, Alabama, where he reported on May 13, 1864. The War Department rejected Polk’s nominations, but Hatch had been taken prisoner by that time, and field and staff appointments were never confirmed. The regiment was usually called the 9th Alabama Cavalry until mid-August of 1864.

Charles P. Ball Colonel
Lemuel Durant Hatch Lieutenant Colonel
Richard H. Redwood, Jr. Major

Edward Burt Perrin Surgeon
James W. Strudwick Assistant Surgeon
Thomas Alfred Hatch Quartermaster
John Catlin Cade Adjutant

Company “A” of Tuscaloosa and Fayette County
Company “B” of Tuscaloosa and Fayette County
Company “C” of Sumter and Choctaw County
Company “D” of Greene, Tuscaloosa and Pickens Counties
Company “E” of Marengo County
Company “F” of Perry and Dallas Counties
Company “G” of Sumter and Choctaw Counties
Company “H” of Greene, Perry and Marengo Counties
Company “I” of Fayette and Tuscaloosa Counties
Company “K” of Tuscaloosa County “Warrior Cadets”