Alabama 5th Infantry Battalion


Historical Notes:
The Alabama 5th Infantry Battalion was formed near Dumfries, Virginia, in December, 1861, with men from Sumner, Calhoun, and Mobile counties. Composed of six companies it was known as the 8th Battalion prior to October 22, 1862. In September, 1864, it totalled 159 effectives and surrendered with 125.

A flag of the 5th Battalion is in the Alabama Archives.
Officers:
  • Albert S. Van de Graaff
  • Captain Wade Ritter
  • Assignments:
  • Whiting's Division then was soon transferred to John Bell Hood's.
  • Archer's Brigade (A. P. Hill's Light Division)
  • Battles:
  • 1st Manassas, Virginia - (July 21, 1861) In Archer's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia:
  • Union occupation of Fredericksburg, Virginia (April 19, 1862)
  • Seven Days Battles (June 25-July 1, 1862)
  • Mechanicsville (June 26, 1862)
  • Gaines' Mill (June 27, 1862)
  • Cedar Mountain (August 9, 1862)
  • 2nd Manassas (August 28-30, 1862)
  • Harpers Ferry (September 12-15, 1862)
  • Shepherdstown Ford (September 20, 1862)
  • Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862)
  • Chancellorsville (May 1-4, 1863)
  • Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863)
  • Falling Waters (July 14, 1863)
  • Bristoe Campaign (October 1863)
  • Mine Run Campaign (November-December 1863)
  • The Wilderness (May 5-6, 1864)
  • Spotsylvania Court House (May 8-2 1, 1864)
  • North Anna (May 23-26, 1864)
  • Cold Harbor (June 1-3, 1864)
  • Petersburg Siege (June 1864-April 1865)
  • Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865)
  • ROSTERS:
    The roster of this unit contains the names of 979 men.

  • Company A "North Sumter Rifles" - many men from Sumter County
  • Company B "Calhoun Sharpshooters" - many men from Calhoun County
  • Company C "White Plains Rangers" - many men from Calhoun County
  • Company D "The Daniel Boone Rifles" - many men from Mobile County
  • Company E - temporarily attached in April and May, 1862 to the Fifth Alabama Battalion; this was a Florida unit. On June 10th 1862 this company was transferred and became Company L of the Fifty-fifth Virginia Regiment.
  • Company F -temporarily attached in April and May, 1862 to the Fifth Alabama Battalion; this was an artillery unit. On June 10th, 1862 this company was transferred and became Company M of the Fifty-fifth Virginia Infantry Regiment.
  • BIBLIOGRAPHY:
    REFERENCES:
    REF: http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/confeds.html
    http://www.archives.state.al.us/referenc/alamilor/mil_org.html










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