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| In memory of Chris Schreiber | ||
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The History of the 3rd Alabama
The Third Alabama Infantry was organized at Montgomery in April 1861, and was the first Alabama command to be sent to Virginia. The unit was ordered to Norfolk to guard the Naval Yards and surrounding areas, which were considered the most probable point of Northern attack. They spent the next year in inactivity and thus missed the Battle of First Manassas, Va. much to the chagrin of the members. In April 1862, Union General George McClellan attacked Yorktown and kicked of the Peninsula Campaign. The 3rd was ordered to join the Army of Northern Virginia, and was assigned to Mahone’s Brigade, which included the 1st and 12th Va Infantry. It was engaged at Seven Pines and two weeks later, it was assigned to Robert Rode’s Alabama Brigade consisting of the 5th, 6th, 12th, 26th, and later 61st Alabama Infantry. They were thrown into the fighting during the Seven Day’s Battles and earned the dubious distinction of suffering the most casualties (207 of 345 men and officers) of any Confederate regiment at the Battle of Malvern hill. When Robert E. Lee’s army marched north in September 1862, the Third Alabama, was part of Stonewall Jackson’s “Foot Cavalry”, had the honor of being first regiment to cross the Potomac River and set foot on Northern soil. The Third was near the center of line in the Sunken Lane at Sharpsburg (“Antietam”) and later distinguished itself in the fighting at Chancellorsville during Stonewall Jackson’s flank move. While under the brigade command of Col. Edward O’Neal, the unit saw bloody action on the first day of the advance on Gettysburg and on the third day at Culp’s Hill, while temporarily attached to Genl Johnson’s Division. It also participated in fighting at the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, the Campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, Cedar Creek and many small engagements in between. The Petersburg Siege dwindled away its ranks until Appomattox Court House, when approximately 40 men surrounded. Of the 1,651 names on the regiment’s rolls, about 260 were lost in battle, 119 died in service and 605 were discharged or transferred.
This is an image of James Branscomb, who was a private in the Southern Rifles. He was killed near Spotsylvania Court House in 1864.
The Original Roster (Officers and NCO's)
Field and Staff
Colonels - Jones M. Withers of Mobile; promoted. Tennent Lomax; promoted, but killed in command. Cullen A. Battle of Macon; wounded at Sharpsburg; promoted. Chas. Forsyth of Mobile.
Lieutenant Colonels - Tennent Lomax; promoted. Cullen A. Battle; promoted. Charles Forsyth; promoted. Robert M. Sands of Mobile.
Majors - Cullen A. Battle; promoted. Charles Forsyth; promoted. R.M. Sands; wounded at Gettysburg; promoted. Richard H. Powell of Macon; wounded at Spottsylvania.
Adjutants - Charles Forsyth; promoted. Isaiah A. Wilson of Macon; resigned. Alfred R. Murray of Mobile; transferred. Samuel B. Johnston of Macon; killed at Seven Pines. Mirabeau B. Swanson of Macon; transferred. Alexander H. Picket of Macon; transferred. David R. Dunlap of Mobile; wounded at Cedar Creek.
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| Contents Copyright © 2002-2007 3rd Alabama, Co. D. |
