Jim Martin
Excellent Response!
Mon Oct 30 10:53:41 2000


I agree with your response that perceived need was the primary reason for so many of the early recruited Alabama regiments being sent to Virginia.

I've devoted a considerable amount of time to researching a little unit called the 5th Alabama Battalion, which was a part of Archer's Brigade, ANV. This unit included only four and finally three companies of Alabamans after consolidation. Two additional companies "E" and "F" were apparently mustered to fill the ranks of this unit; however, they were raised about the time Grant began his move against Forts Donelson and Henry and were diverted to Tennessee. They never reached Virginia and for that reason the 5th Alabama Battalion remained a "small" battalion.

A number of units, especially Tennessee regiments, which were originally sent to the Virginia and the Shenandoah were returned to Tennessee. This is not the case with the Alabama units which remained in Virginia, even after the invasion of Tennessee began.

I guess I'm just curious how the decision was made to send and ultimately to keep the Alabama units in the East. I do know that Archer's, Wilcox's and Law's brigades were considered among the elite of Lee's army. I wonder if any communication exists between the Governor of Alabama and Richmond asking for a recall of the Alabama units? Is there documentation from Lee or other commanders in the ANV stating the need to keep the Alabama units there?

It seems that the Alabama units from their war record and evidenced by their large scale representation in the ANV were highly valued troops.

• 5th AL Battalion — John C. Cartre, Mon Oct 30 14:01