For a number of years I have wondered why the 9th Alabama Regiment was listed as being organized in Richmond, Virginia in May of 1861. Most of the companies that made up the 9th did not arrive in Richmond until June of that year. The companies also arrived separately in Virginia, after being sworn in during a stop in Lynchburg, Virginia. None of the ten companies were from northen Alabama, with the tenth coming from Mobile.

Does anyone know if the Confederate government, or the Alabama state government, organized regiments by name before the companies were actually raised? As far as I know, the two companies from Limestone were not pre-existing militia companies, and had to petition the Secretary of War, Leroy Pope Walker, to come to Virginia when they were organized and equipped.

Any insights would be appreciated.