Alan J. Pitts
Re: Chisolm's Cav Co
Tue Jul 3 11:24:05 2001


I reviewed most of the records in Chisholm's state guards at the BPL yesterday. The company organized on August 1, 1863, the roll being dated Aug. 15th. The captain's name is R. J. Chisholm, age 28, exempt by reason of substitute. About a dozen men or more who belonged to the company were exempt for the same reason; another two dozen had been discharged from regular service due to disability. About twenty were ages 16 and 17; about the same number were age 45 or older. I noted seven men on roll who were exempt by reason of their profession: overseers, blacksmihts, miller, shoemakers and a machinist.

At least two men were residents of Dale County; all the others were citizens of Henry County. Almost all the Henry County men came from beats one and three of the 77th Alabama State Militia Regiment, in other words, about seventy out of the company.

The records show that the company served at the military rendezvous at Marianna FL during 1864. There are at least three requisitions for horse fodder signed by Col. Montgomery at that post for seventy animals. Some have associated this company with Robert Chisholm's Co. "I", 5th Florida Cavalry. Also, a Robert Chisholm served as a non-commissioned officer of CO. "D", 6th Florida Infantry, which was at least partially from enry County AL. I also see that 2d Lt. Henry M. Davis of Co. "B", 6th Alabama Infantry reenlisted in Chisholm's Company. At least one other record for a man later discharged at Marianna in late 1864 shows that he was eligible for service as a senior reserve (age 47) and enlisted at Woodville AL in January 1864.

I hope someone can add this up. There are several URLs that show Chisolm's Company at Eucheeanna Courthouse on Sept.23, 1864, where about twenty-five were captured when Asboth's column passed through Walton County FL.