The 5th Alabama Cavalry Regiment was organized at Tuscumbia in December, 1862, by increasing the 22nd Alabama Cavalry Battalion to a regiment, and it was brigaded under Gen'l Philip Dale Roddy. The regiment was recruited in Fayette, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion, Morgan, and Tuscaloosa counties. It moved into East Tennessee shortly after and skirmished at Chapel Hill. It captured a wagon train at Hamburg; took 60 prisoners and a train at Hunt's Mill, in Jackson; blocked the railroad in the rear of Union Gen'l William S. Rosecrans; captured 130 prisoners at Madison Station; fought Gen'l Eli Long at Moulton; stampeded a regiment at Oakville; and was with Gen'l Nathan Bedford Forrest on his Pulaski Raid, with light loss. The 5th also skirmished with Union Gen'l James B. Steedman when he marched into the Tennessee Valley, and it was in front of Union Gen'l James Wilson's Corps from Montevallo to Selma. The regiment took part in the defence of Selma and was mostly captured there. The remainder surrendered at Danville, in Morgan County, on 6 May 1865. During its career, the 5th captured at least 450 enemy soldiers. The regiment was reliably commanded by Col. Josiah Patterson until war's end.
Christmas in the Confederate Army
Author of the following unknown to me
Christmas, December 25, 1863
Bright Merry Christmas is here again, and so am I, right in the breezy woods to enjoy it, unhampered by the restraints of custom, the fetters of fashion, and thraldom of etiquette, ready and willing to hide away a first-class Christmas dinner if I had it. I am glad I am alive and whole, for during this year many a poor soldier whose sun of life glowed in the very zenith of manhood and glory was cut down and immolated on the altar of his country, like the full blown rose that sacrifices and casts its beauteous and fragrant petals on the altar of the passing storm. At sunrise this morning we fired two rounds from our guns in commemoration of the birth of Him who said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace
I give unto you, not as the world giveth."
The menu of our Christmas dinner was composed wholly of beef with gravy and corn bread. Our mess was afraid to try anything new, as it might throw us headlong on the sick list in the busy season of house building. I was hard at work all day, getting raw material for the business end of our culinary department.
Letter From Unknown Confederate Soldier- 1864
(printed with permission from America's Memories)
Nashville Tenn Jany 5th 64
Friend Ettie
I believe I am not indebted to you by way of letter, but for your kindness to me I will write you a few lines. On New Year's day about one o-clock I received a verry nice gift which I appreciated verry much. It was the only gift that I received, and on that account realize its worth. You have my heartfelt thanks for your kindness and remembrance of a Soldier.
It is quite cool Weather here now and some snow upon the ground but not enough to make sleighing. I wish I wish I were in Hillsdale today I think I would call around to friend Ettie and go out a Sleighing. I get lonesome sometimes and I not know what to do, if I ever get out of the Service alive I am agoing to settle down and get married.
What a novel Idea that is, perhaps you will not believe it but I am not joking. I am not quite an old Bach yet but I fear I will be before long.
If you know of some good looking amiable young Lady that wish to change her situation in life, just mention the fact to her,
and tell her there is a Soldier in the Army that wishes to marry in less than two years after his time expires in the Army.
Enclosed you will find the likeness of your unknown Correspondent which you will please accept, with the kindest regards.
I am yours
verry truly
When my bones they lay down
In the cold cold ground
Will someone play Dixie for me.
GOD SAVE THE SOUTH
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