The 51st Alabama Cavalry Regiment, Partisan Rangers
Also Known As the 1st Alabama Cavalry, Partisan Rangers and the 51st Cavalry Regiment
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Brief History
The 51st Alabama Cavalry Regiment, Partisan Rangers, was organized at Oxford on 11 August 1862, with men from Calhoun, Dallas, Mobile, Montgomery, Perry, Pike, Saint Clair, Talladega, and Tuscaloosa counties. Ordered to Tennessee, the regiment was placed under Gen'l Nathan Bedford Forrest and was in the fight at Lavergne. A few weeks later, it was assigned to Gen'l Joseph Wheeler's command and served during the war principally in the brigades of Gen'l William W. Allen of Montgomery, or Gen'l James Hagan of Mobile. It was engaged in the Battle of Murfreesboro with light loss, and it was in the raid down the Cumberland River in January with like result. The regiment was engaged in frequent skirmishes while protecting Gen'l Braxton Bragg's communications. It was in the fight at Shelbyville, where nearly half the regiment was killed or captured. The 51st fought at Tracey City and Chickamauga with few casualties, then it was part of the force that made the Sequatchee Raid, in which 1,000 wagons laden with stores were destroyed, and 4,000 mules were butchered. The regiment was part of the force that captured 400 of the enemy at Maryville, and soon after it was part of the investing force at Knoxville. During the remainder of the winter of 1863/1864, the 51st was arduously employed in East Tennessee. It took its place on Gen'l Joseph E. Johnston's flank in the retreat to Dalton and fought nearly every day for three months. At Decatur and Jonesboro, the 51st was fully engaged, losing severely. It moved into Tennessee shortly after, then wheeled about and harassed Union Gen'l William T. Sherman's march into the Carolinas with much effect. About a week before the capitulation, the 51st captured the 1st Alabama (Union) Regiment. As part of Gen'l Hagan's Brigade, the regiment laid down its arms near Raleigh at Durham Station, 26 April 1865
Field and Staff
- Colonel:
- John T. Morgan of Dallas Co.; promoted
- Milton L. Kirkpatrick of Montgomery Co.
- Lieutenant Colonel:
- James D. Webb of Greene Co.; KIA, Elk River
- Milton L. Kirkpatrick promoted
- Major:
- Henry Bradford Thompson of Pike Co.; resigned
- James T. Dye of Talladega Co.; captured, Shelbyville
- Adjutant:
- Charles Force of District of Columbia; transferred to line
- David Shaw Bethune of Pike Co.
Companies and the Counties from Which they Came
- ?
Battles, Skirmishes and Engagements
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