John C. Cartre
5th AL Battalion
Mon Oct 30 14:01:38 2000


Jim..thanks for your response. I have always been a little confused about the 5th AL Batt. I think one of those last companies you mentioned may have been raised by a Capt. Malone from Limestone County. He is mentioned in my ancestor's letters as trying to raise a regiment at the start of the war, but only having raised a couple of companies. Later letters seem to show he was unsuccessful and may have given up. Any mention of a Malone in your research?

The 1st Tennessee Regiment was actually split in two during 1861. One half left the Shenandoah Valley (the more famous one with Sam Watkins...CO Aytch) and the other, the 1st Provisional Tennessee under Turney spent the entire war with the Army of No. Va.

I don't recall the discussion about pulling the units, but I know the Alabama governor was not too thrilled at having so many troops in Virginia when he faced Grant's army coming southward after the victories at Donelson and Ft. Henry. I know Lee refused to release any troops to the west under his command before Gettysburg. I don't recall the documentation from Lee or the Alabama Govs., but I am sure there is some at least on Lee's part.

John