Company L, 4th Alabama Cavalry, CSA
No official roster for Company L is known to exist. The roster that I have compiled are the names of men
that have been identified belonging to this company based upon pension, cemetery records, family records, and other historical references.
While this Company was composed of men from the Franklin County area. Many were formerly enlisted in Co. H, 1st Regiment Confederate Cavalry. According to book, Tennesseans
In The Civil War , published by the Civil War Centennial Commission in 1964, "The
regiment [1st Confederate Cavalry] was organized at Spring Creek, Madison County,
Tennessee, about April 1, 1862, by order of General Albert S. Johnston, by the addition of
four Tennessee companies and two Alabama companies [Company K and H] to Major H.C. King's Kentucky Battalion..." These "Alabama companies" were to become the core of companies "K" and "L" of Roddey's 4th Alabama Cavalry. However,
transferring to "Roddey's" Cavalry entailed one small
problem, Company H had already existed there, so it had to be mustered into the regiment as Company L. [Note: The other Alabama company, Co. K, was able to be transfer as
Company K into Roddey's Cavalry.]
13 Star "Stars and Bars"
1st National flag of the Confederacy.
Known Soldiers of Company L:
Officers
Sgt. William Patton Denton (b. 1839,
Town Creek, AL, d. 1877, Tishomingo Co., MS) Promoted to 2nd Lt. April 30, 1863.
Capt. William Houston (commanded Co. H 1st Reg't Confederate
Cavalry, but resigned for unknown reasons after entering service in Co. L 4th Alabama
Cavalry. Succeeded by John E. Newsom. )
2nd Lt. Robert David Malone (b. 1836 - d. 1921; buried
"K.P." Cemetery, Franklin Co. AL)
Capt. John Calhoun Nelson (buried at Old Friendship Cemetery,
Franklin Co., AL (Parents were John Lemuel Nelson (b. 11 May 1804) and Rebecca Sparks, b.
16 March 1804. Grandparents were Robert Nelson, William Sparks and Eunice Woodruff. He was
the brother of James M. Nelson that served in Co I , 38th AL Infantry.
[source: Russellville Confederate monument inscription. In the
"Confederate Military History", edited by Gen. Evans, Capt. J. C. Nelson is
mentioned as being wounded and captured. ]
Capt. John E. Newsom ( Promoted to Major and John C. Nelson
took command of company.)
1st Corp. W. B. Newsom (First served as 2nd Lt. in Co. H 1st
Reg't Confederate Cavalry, later promoted to 1st Lt. in company L 4th Alabama Cavalry. )
2nd Lt. H. H. Oates (recorded in one source as "H.C.
Oates". First served as 2nd Lt. in Co. H, 1st Reg't Confederate Cavalry, later
promoted to 1st Lt. in Company L 4th Alabama Cavalry)
Enlisted Men
John H. Blacklidge ( b. 8 August 1844, d. 29 June 1938;
buried in Spruce Pine Cemetery, Franklin Co. AL)
George Almonte Britton (b. 25
September 1839, d.- 22 November 1918; buried Belgreen Cemetery, Franklin Co. AL)
William Leander Byrd (Lived to age 98; name submitted by
g granddaughter, Kay Byrd Camarco. Re: Pension Application # 27706 held in the Texas State
Archives. )
Edward Chadick (Not confirmed,
rank not known, need more documentation)
Coley Colston Crowell (b. 14 February 1819 - d. 5 November 1911; buried Graham Cemetery,
Franklin Co., AL). More information can be found on Coley's genealogy on my webpage on the
Crowell family.
Benjamin F. Dill (brother of
Partain Tobe Dill) Source 1 : Broadfoot's Confederate Roster 1861-1865. Source 2:
"The William Dill Family and Relatives in America, Volume III," by Gilbert Dill,
published in 1993. Submitted by Ed Dill (great
grandson of Partain Tobe Dill).
Partain Tobe Dill [(b. 24 January
1840 - d. 22 January 1922; buried Welch Cemetery, Franklin Co. AL) Source 1 :
Broadfoot's Confederate Roster 1861-1865. Source 2: Tombstone Record]
Thomas A. Duncan (b. 25 July 1841 - d. 30 October 1932; buried "K. P." Cemetery
Franklin Co. AL)
John Valentine Gates [(b. 5 February 1841 - d. 12 November 1895; buried Allen-McRight Cemetery,
Franklin Co. AL). John's brother, Thomas, is likely the "Thomas B. Gates" listed
for AL 16th Inf. Co. E. Thomas and another brother, Charles, were either killed or
died during the war. It is not known which unit Charles may have served. John V.
Gates was wounded at the Battle of Days Gap. He was also the brother-in-law of Capt.
John C. Nelson (wife was Martha Jane Rea Gates). Information supplied by descendant, Frances Webb.]
Francis M. Glenn ,Born 11 January 1844,Franklin Co. AL). The son of James E. Glenn (native of Greenville district, SC) and Sarah Braly (d/o Alfred Braly). Francis saw action at Battles of Shiloh, Corinth, and numerous others. "He was wounded at the battle of Harrisburg, on the right side of the head, but was only disabled about one-half day, after which he again took up his arms and served until the close of the war." In 1867 Francis Glenn moved from Franklin Co., AL to Hood County, Texas and later off to Johnson Co., Texas where he owned 689 acre farm.
Information supplied by descendant, Kenneth Klassen and also from "Biographical History of Johnson and Hill Counties, Texas"; published 1892; The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL.
Pvt. Roland Benton Hester (see link for more information on this soldier and family)
Pvt. Hudson G. Hester, (born 5 Sep 1833, died of "disease
contracted in the service of the Confederate States...within five years" after the
war (14 Feb 1866 ?). Widow, Catherine Thorn Hester, received pension in 1894 for
Confederate service. Hudson was the uncle of privates, Wiley Robertson and Roland Benton
Hester.)
Descendant Jim Mullins has more information.
Pvt. Wiley Robertson Hester (see link
for more information on this soldier and family)
Francis Marion James ( 11 October
1940 - d. 11 November 1910; buried Belgreen Cemetery, Franklin Co. AL)
Pvt. James Monroe Jordan (b. 26 Aug 1844, died 15 Jul 1912. Became a Judge. Buried in Maude
Cemetery in
Colbert County.
Bryson "Brice" Kuykendall Entered the C. S. A., Roddey's 4th Alabama Cavalry Regiment in October of
1862. He was in this unit until his discharge in April of 1865 at Pond Springs,
Alabama. Bryson's oldest sister was Minerva Lydia Kuykendall who married Williams Jehu Ledbetter died in Talequah, Oklahoma and is buried
there.
Source: James D. Kuykendall, a great grandson, submitted by Dick Ledbetter.
Pvt. Williams Jehu Ledbetter
James J. Liggon (Not confirmed,
rank not known, need more documentation)
A. J. Little(Not confirmed, rank not known, need more
documentation)
Edwin Vinson Malone (b. 19 August 1847 - d. 16 February 1938; buried Hamilton-Wood Cemetery
Franklin Co. AL (Tombstone inscribed with "Newsom's Co.)
James F. Malone(Not confirmed, rank not known, need more
documentation)
Pvt. Joseph Thomas Malone [Captured Jun 25, 1864 at
Florence, Alabama; Died of "variola" as a POW at Rock Island prison, Illinois, 4
Mar 1864, grave number 729 buried South of prison barracks). Prison record appears to be
written as "Jas. T Malone". Joseph Thomas (b. 1829) was the
son of James R. Malone (b. 13 Aug 1797 NC, d. 13 Aug 1879, son of John Malone and
Anne Blackwell of Granville Co., NC) and Mary Polly Cook ( b. 1801, d. 26 Oct 1842; dau.
of John Cook) of Franklin Co., AL. Married Mary Jane Sparks (they had seven
children) Photo of grave at Rock Island. ] Prison
records and photo submitted by descendent, Tim
Malone.
Pvt. Joseph H. Malone [Captured Jun 25, 1864 at Florence,
Alabama, sent to Rock Island Prison, Illinois). Prison records submitted by
descendent, Tim Malone.]
Pvt. C. J. McRight [Reported to be "Carroll
J. McRight", b. 07/26/1842 d. 2/7/1934; son of Sebim & Rebecca McRight.
Source: McRight descendant, Jerry Skidmore ]
Pvt. L. M. McRight [Reported to be "Lemuel M
McRight", son of Sebim & Rebecca McRight. Source: McRight descendant, Jerry Skidmore]
Pvt. N.J. McRight [Reported to be "Newton J
McRight", b. 1843; Son of Merrille J McRight and Saletia Sparks. Source:
McRight descendant, Jerry Skidmore ]
Paralee Anderson McRight [b. 10/08/1838 in Franklin Co, Ala.
d. 04/30/1863 in Morgan Co. AL, killed at the spring on Alabama Hwy 157 at the start of
The Battle of Days Gap. Son of Merrille J McRight and Saletia Sparks. When
Paralee McRight was killed at Day's Gap and Pvt. Ben Dill, also of Co. L, borrowed a
wagon to take his body home. After completing his final duty to his friend, Ben
mounted his horse to return to the chase and was back with Forrest when Col. Streight
surrendered. Source 1: gg grandson, Jerry
Skidmore Source 2: Andrew Dill ]
Pvt. W.H. McRight [Reported to be "William Houston
McRight", b.01/07/1840 ; d 01/08/1866; Son of Merrille J McRight
and Saletia Sparks.
John E. Newson, born 8 January 1845 Russellville, Franklin
Co., AL; died 23 August 1926 Russellville, Franklin Co., AL Sparks Cemetery, Franklin Co.,
AL Enlisted December 1863, Cherokee, Colbert Co., AL Service Termination 17 May
1865, Pond Springs, AL Note: This may be the same individual as Lt. John E. Newsom listed
under officers. However, the tombstone gives John E. Newson's rank as "Private".
James S. M. Ramsey(Not confirmed, rank not known, need more
documentation)
Jesse Reeves (Not confirmed, rank not known, need more
documentation)
John William Reid
[(b. 13 Dec. 1839; d. 16 Aug. 1914; buried Friendship Cemetery, Franklin Co., AL] Source:
Tombstone found by Jim Mullins.
James William Skidmore [(b.
January 8, 1845 d. August 23, 1926; Married 1st. Dorothea James (b. May 15, 1850 d. Feb.
25, 1896; d/o Thomas Jasper James, Sr and Elizabeth James ). James William and Dorothy had
a son named Emmitt Skidmore. Emmitt Skidmore Married Lela Hovater and had a son named Owen
Crumby Skidmore. (See also page on Hovater's serving in Roddey's
Cavalry and record of Edwin S. Vinson, below. ) Married 2nd Mattie Elizabeth McMicken
marriage date March 25, 1908 (b. Jan. 16, 1876 d. Jan 14, 1971 )] Previously served in Co.
H, 1st Confederate Cavalry, then transferred to Company L, 4th Alabama Cavalry in Dec.
1863. He was assigned detached duty as a scout and discharged at the close of the war in
1865 at Pond Springs, AL. Buried in Sparks Cemetery, Franklin Co., AL. He
applied for and was granted pension 09/14/1918. His second wife Mattie Estella
McMicken was said to be the last Confederate Widow in Franklin Co. Al. Source 1 : Patricia Cooper. Source 2: Jerry Skidmore skidmore@HiWAAY.net
Christopher Columbus Sparks [See family sketch and picture. More on the Sparks family can be found
at Patricia Cooper's "Sparks Family
of Alabama Homepage".]
D. A. Timberly (Not confirmed, rank not known, need more
documentation)
Nimrod A. Underwood [(b. 4 Jun 1845; mortally wounded
near Iuka, MS on July 8th, 1863; d. 12 July 1863; buried in Old Nauvoo Cemetery, Franklin
Co., AL). See letter by Capt. J. J.
Underwood (Nimrod's brother), explaining the circumstances of his death.]
Edwin S. Vinson, Jr. [Member of
Roddey's 4th Alabama Cavalry, and suspected, though unconfirmed, as a member of Co.
L. Edwin S Vinson, Jr. married Mary Elizabeth James (dau. of Thomas Jasper James, Sr
and Elizabeth James, [dau. of Abner James] This making him a brother-in-law of Pvt.
James William Skidmore, above). Edwin S and Mary Elizabeth had a daughter named Anna
E'Olas Vinson. Anna E'Olas Vinson married William Anderson McRight and they had a daughter
named Artie Viola McRight. Owen Crumby Skidmore (grandson of Pvt. James Wm. Skidmore) and
Artie Viola McRight married and had a son named James Nelson Skidmore who is the father of
Jerry Skidmore. Source 1 : Andrew Dill Source 2: Work by Gilbert
S. Dill, Edwin Vinson's Great-Grandson, published "Our McRight Family In
America" in 1993. Source 3: Jerry Skidmore]
Pvt. George Washington Waltrip [(son of John Waltrip of
Russellville, AL; captured on March 24, 1865, near Russellville and sent to Camp Chase
where he was released in May of 1865. "George is buried in Acton Cemetery in Texas,
only yards away from the grave of Elizabeth Crockett, widow of Davy Crockett.
George's youngest brother William, who was Sheriff of Franklin County and later
Probate Judge of Franklin County, Alabama. William was too young to serve in the
Confederate army." Source: Gary Waltrip,
great grandson of George Washington Waltrip]
Robert Nelson Waltrip [(b. 2 February 1838 - d. 7 June 1901,
buried Belgreen Cemetery, Franklin Co., AL) Widow, Christiana Waltrip, applied for
Robert's Confederate pension in 1907. Source: Tombstone inscription]
Henry C. White(Not confirmed, rank not known, need more
documentation)
Edward H. Wiggins (Not confirmed,
rank not known, need more documentation)
More names will be added as they are discovered.
Other Sources of Information:
"UDC Marks Confederate Graves - Chapter Project 1982-1983" Compiled and
typed by Mae Lee POUNDERS, Secretary of the John W. Harris Chapter of the United Daughters
of the Confederacy, March 1983.
4th Alabama Cavalry Graves Marked by John W. Harris Chapter #2437, United Daughters
of the Confederacy, Russellville, Alabama Submitted by Nancy R. HARVEY, President John W.
Harris Chapter #2437 Russellville, AL, United Daughter of the Confederacy May 1999.
Also much help from Myra Hester Warren.
If I accidently left anyone else out, either here or elsewhere, please forgive and let me
know so I can add your name to the credits.
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