The Alabama 9th Infantry Regiment, organized at Richmond in May, 1861, enjoyed the distinction of having a joint resolution of thanks given it by the Confederate Congress in February, 1864. It was engaged in the siege of Yorktown, April 5 and May 2, 1862; at Williamsburg, May 5th, and at Seven Pines, May 31st and June 1st. This regiment won imperishable renown at Gaines' Mill and Frayser's Farm, was under fire at Second Manassas, and assisted at the capture of Harper's Ferry, September 12 to 15, 1862. It was also engaged at Chancellorsville and Salem, May 1-3, 1863, and suffered very heavy loss at Gettysburg. It was in the battle of the Wilderness, May 5-7, 1864, Cold Harbor, June 1st to 12th, and fought in the trenches at Petersburg for nearly 9 months. A remnant of the 9th surrendered at Appomattox, 6 officers and 70 men, the brigade having been in the command of General W. H. Forney of Calhoun for some months. Of 1138 men on its rolls, about 200 fell in battle, over 175 died of disease, and 208 were discharged or transferred. COMPANIES OF THE AL 9th INFANTRY REGIMENT Co. "A", Beauregard Rifles (Mobile): F. H. Ripley (resigned, 12 April 62); W. C. Murphy (wounded, Williamsburg, and captured; KIA, Salem Church); Arthur H. Hays Co. "B", Railroad Guards (Jackson and Marshall): Jeremiah Henry Johnston Williams (promoted); E. Blake Moore (resigned, 2 May 63); Elias Jacobs (wounded, Gettysburg; KIA, 30 Aug 64); Patrick Seward (captured) Co. "C", Pope Walker Guards (Lawrence): James M. Warren (resigned); M. G. May (wounded, Sharpsburg); W. T. Couch Co. "D", Lauderdale Rifles (Lauderdale): J. Butler Houston (resigned, 29 Aug 61); William C. Reeder (promoted to major, 26th AL Regt); James M. Crow (wounded, Gaines' Mill; promoted); William James Cannon Co. "E", Decatur Sons of Liberty (Morgan): Joseph Horace King (promoted); James Mat. Todd (retired, 28 June 64); James H. Sharp Co. "F" (Limestone): Thomas H. Hobbs (KIA, Gaines' Mill); John C. Featherston (wounded, Gettysburg; dropped from rolls, Jan or Feb 65) Co. "G" (Butler): Edward Young Hill (KIA, Gaines' Mill); Thomas H. Mills (resigned, 3 Sept 63); Mathew Patton Co. "H", Limestone Grays (Limestone): David Houston (resigned, 24 Sept 61); Gaynes C. Smith (captured, Gettysburg; promoted); Rufus C. Jones Co. "I", Calhoun Guards (Lauderdale): Edward Asbury O'Neal (promoted); Dougle W. Gillis (KIA, Williamsburg); Samuel Spencer Ives (transferred to 35th AL Regt, May 62); John N. Chisholm (captured, Gettysburg; died as POW); Benjamin F. Taylor (wounded, Sharpsburg; captured, Petersburg) Co. "K" (Marshall): James Lawrence Sheffield (promoted to colonel, 48th AL Regt); John Rayburn (KIA, Sharpsburg); T. J. Eubanks; A. W. Ledbetter (wounded, Salem Church, Petersburg); Samuel Henry (promoted to lt. colonel, 3 July 61)
About the Author: John Rigdon has authored a number of books on the Civil War and is the manager of the web site, Research OnLine, (www.researchonline.net) the premier site for researching Civil War ancestors in the Civil War. His titles include the Historical Sketch and Roster Volumes (1100 plus titles) and a dozen volumes in the "We Fought" series focusing on particular battles and commanders. Additionally John works in translation of materials for Haitian Creole and several languages of West Africa including French, Mòoré, Bambara, and Dioula (Jula). John resides in the foothills of the Appalachians outside Cartersville, GA. where he enjoys gardening and aquaponics. You may reach him at jrigdon@researchonline.net