Your Favorite Regiment , Which Would it Be and Why?

[matthew mckeon]

Sam grant
Higginson seems a little too smug, or amused by his picturesque surroundings in his postwar writings. He is ready to be entertained by the people he meets, but not to truely try to understand them. Thus he lacks empathy and a true understanding of the consequences of his actions.

However its still a great book, with lots of great stuff.

[MobileBoy]

I must confess I really don't know much about any Union regiments or brigades etch..., other than what I've been able to discern through battle accounts and other books etch...Is there any book out there which ranks the top regiments or brigades from either the US or CS with supporting details?It seems like that would make for interesting reading.
Regards,
Ashley

[Highfly]

• Mustered in ~ Spring, 1863
• Guarding arsenal in Dearborn, MI ~ Summer, 1863
• Chased Morgan through Indiana ~ made to look like fools
• Placed in charge of Camp Douglas ~ Spring, 1864
• Arrived in Washington DC ~ April, 1864
• Battle of Wilderness ~ first engagement, thrown up against Longstreet/AP Hill
• Battle of Spotsylvania ~ on the front lines
• Battle of Cold Harbor ~ on the front lines
• "The Crater" ~ in the Confederate works
• Siege of Petersburg ~ charged and held Confederate works w/ one other regiment
• First regiment into Petersburg when it fell ~ First to raise their colors in the city

They were raised as a Shapshooter regiment but were equipped like regular infantry and never used as Sharpshooters. They also had the single completely Native American company in the Army of the Potomac. They were never used and equipped to their full potential, but acquitted themselves admirably in all engagements. The book These Men Have Seen Hard Service was written about them and is a very interesting read.

[Alabaman]

Highfly:

The 45th REGIMENT of ALABAMA INFANTRY, VOLUNTEERS . This regiment was composed of 5 companies from Macon County, 2 from Russell County, 2 from Barbour County and 1 from Lowndes County, Alabama.

In March 1862, 10 companies of unorganized infantry which were to designated the 34th Ala. Regt., rejected the officers elected to lead them. The rejected Colonel, apparently had not voted for Southern secession. 5 companies of these men along with their respective Captains, simply bid farewell, left camp of instruction and marched from Loachapoka, Ala. 20 miles distant to Society Hill, Alabama and set up another camp. These men, my drect grandfather amoung them in Co. D, were true individualist and made some of the best Light Infantry this Country or the World has ever known. The great majority of these soldiers were non-slaveholding farmers. While camped at Society Hill a recruitment for soldiers began and in short duration, a little over 1,000 men filled the ranks of the 10 companies. Marching to Auburn, Ala., these ten companies were officially designated the 45th Ala. Vol. Reg't. The 45th Alabama left Auburn, Ala. by train and arrived in Tupelo, Mississippi several days later. Later, they moved via rail road into Tennessee and then marched into Kentucky.

In their first combat at Perryville, KY the 45th valiantly sounded the Rebel Yell and charged a Union battery which was supported by a brigade of Union infantry. Even though the battery wasn't captured, the attempt was one of complete bravery; every man at his post! Future successful CS officers knew or heard of their bravery and the regiment was destined for severe fighting in this first action.

Next action of the 45th Ala. came at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn. in 1862-1863. On the morning of the battle, ironically, the 45th was placed beside the 34th Ala. in line of battle. In the action that followed the Federal lines were pushed back for over 1 mile. Again, a Union battery was charged and this time captured. As two regiments were 'on the scene', the 45th graciously allowed the 24th Mississippi regiment to take full credit for this capture. These men proved themselves true Southern gentlemen and vicious fighters!

On September 19-20, 1864, the 45th Ala. were in line of battle at Chicamauga, Georgia on the CS right wing, very near the right flank. Gen. N.B. Forrest's dismounted Cavalry, were to their right. This was THE place of honor for a CW unit! Under the Command of Gen. Pat Cleburne, the 45th along with their brigade and other units charged fortified Union infantry heavily supported by artillery. During the battle and despite the fortified breastworks of the Union lines, this unit helped push back the Federal lines over 1 mile! These attacks by this regiment partially paved the way for Gen. Longstreet's successful piercing of the Federal lines, and CS victory, on the next day. Gen. Cleburn called this battle "one of the hardest fought of his service." The great reputation of Gen. P.R.Cleburne was now solidly formed by the 45th Ala. and its brother regiments of Cleburne's Division.

Next battle, was Missionary Ridge, Tennessee on November 25, 1863. The 45th Ala. was posted on the right of Cleburne's Division around Tunnel Hill. While not heavily engaged, the 45th kept large numbers of Sherman's Federals tied-up and out of the action. One long-range volley of the 45th Alabama's Enfields, sent Sherman's men scurrying back. These 45th Ala. men, outnumbered greatly, held the ground and helped solidly deafeat the North's best (reported) General; the celebrated W.T. Sherman. But...as satisfied as Cleburne's men and the 45th Ala. were upon the victory, all the men to the left had fled in disorganization. Again, Cleburne's Division with the 45th Ala., were quickly called upon by Gen. Braxton Bragg, to save the army from total defeat by the loss of all trains & artillery of the Confederate Army of Tennessee by the victorious Federals.

November 27, 1863 Gen. Pat Cleburne and his "boys" marched as the AOT's rear guard. The 45th, after COUNTERCHARGING and HALTING the pursuing Union troops, marched to Ringgold Gap, Georgia several miles distant. Cleburne's Division was deployed into the mountain Gap with care. The 45th Ala. formed part of the only reserve forces available. As the victorious Federals marched into this ambush, Cleburnes Division stopped them in their tracks. An attempt by Union regiments to out-flank the Division was met by the 33rd & 45th Ala. regiments led by Gen. Cleburne & Lowrey, personally. After narly 2 days without sleep, the 45h Ala. stopped these Federal troops in their tracks, countercharged them and became famous for "shooting-up" the Ohio 'Rooster' Regiment, killing it's Col., Lt. Col and killing/capturing many of it's men. After the artillery was safely away, the 45th Ala. confidently marched to Winter camp at Tunnel Hill, Georgia. While there, the Confederate Congress passed a Resolution giving thanks from Congress and President Davis to Gen. Cleburne and his Division, including the 45th Alabama.

During 1864, the 45th participated in the Dalton-Atlanta Campaign. The list of battles in which the 45th Ala. was actively engaged included: Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Pickett's Mill, New Hope Church, Decatur, Adairsville, Dallas, Kenesaw mountain, and many others. During the battle of Pickett's Mill, the 45th Ala. was double-timed to the right flank toward the Union attempt to out flank Johnston's line. Firing as they were deployed into line and standing in the open with no cover, the 45th Ala. poured volley's of fire into the Federals, stopping them cold. Over 900 U.S.casualties were found in front of Cleburne's Division and the 45th Ala. This action saved Gen. Johnston's AOT from being defeated.

On July 21 at Bald Hill, Georgia 1864, the 45th was under severe artillery fire. On July 22, this regiment made a daring 12 mile march below and around the City of Atlanta and about 12 O'clock, attacked the heavily fortified Union postion of the Iowa Brigade of the Federal 16th Corps, but still inflicted heay casualties to the 15th Iowa. The 45th Ala. lost it's Col. & Major Commanding along with it's battleflag and 52% of it's men. The 45th had stopped a direct walk-in to Atlanta by the Federal army. My ancestor, Pvt. Morgan Adams of Co. D, 45th Ala. was mortally wounded in action, during the hand-to-hand combat. I own his personally engraved pistol, his war image and plenty of personal notes of combat and anecdotes from his war letters.

The 45th Ala. was active in all the other battles of the war and was "brilliantly" engaged at Spring Hill, Tenn. During the battle of Franklin, Tenn., the 45th attacked the highly fortified Federal positions of the Federal army and lost large numbers of men. Near the Gin House at Franklin, Gen. P.R. Cleburne was killed in action nearby the 45th Alabama's lines. At Nashville, the 45th fought doggedly, retained it's honor and was almost wiped out. The 45th Alabama was surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina numbering less than 100 men.

As a GGGrandson of "Pat Cleburne's Boys," this is my favorite Regiment of all. These were some of the bravest men I've ever had the priveledge to read about.

Sincerely,
Alabaman

[lrd89]

The 19th Indiana Infantry was made up of men from the area I live in.

Some regiments my ancestors served in were the 16th, 38th and 88th Indiana Infantry, 74th Illinois Inf, and 47th Georgia Inf, so I like to study those units.

[gary]

I've been thinking about it and darn if I can't find any one "favorite." There's so many brave regiments on both sides of the Mother of American Family Feuds (1861-65) that performed great deeds of valor or accomplished some noteworthy feat on the battlefield that it is hard to choose.

[nbforrest]

15th (Northwest) Arkansas Infantry.

My g-g-g grandfather and some other of my folks fought and died in this outfit.

Organized by Dandridge McRae as a battalion, it fought at Wilson's Creek. Brought up to regimental strength and designated the 21st Arkansas. Fought at Pea Ridge, where they were literally defending their homes. Moved east with Van Dorn and fought at Farmington. Fought at Corinth and pushed around Battery Robinett to break through to the crossroads before Union reinforcements closed the gap. Formed the rear guard at Hatchie Bridge. Their brigade suffered the heaviest losses of any brigade in the campaign, 70%. Redesignated the 15th (Northwest) Arkansas. Part of Bowen's division in the Vicksburg campaign with Cockrell's Missourians. (Ed Bearss called Bowen's division "the finest troops in either army") Fought against 8 to 1 odds at Port Gibson. Nearly rescued the situation at Champion Hill with Bowen's counter attack where Bowen smashed up 4 Yankee brigades. Were at Big Black River Bridge and the siege of Vicksburg. So few were left after the surrender that the unit was broken up and the survivors sent to different units. A tough bunch of fellows.

[hawglips]

30th North Carolina Infantry

I've got a several uncles, cousins and a 2nd gr.grandfather that fought in this regiment. They were involved in Lee's defense of VA as well as his offensive campaigns for most of the war and had an illustrious record.

"To Drive the Enemy from Southern Soil" (Michael Taylor) is a history of the 30th woven with their colonel's letters home to his wife. It's good reading for those who like less filtered work.

Hal

[sgtcsa]

Well,
It's been awhile since I last visited, but my favorite unit was, without debate, was the 43rd Virginia Cav. Col. John Singleton Mosby's outfit. So, just who was this man they called the 'Gray Ghost'?:

-He was the most effective Partisan leader to fight during the War.
-Became the Confederate Officer most mentioned in dispatches by Gen. Robert E. Lee
-Received from Gen. Lee, the joking criticism that he tended to be wounded too frequently.
-Captured a well guarded Union general in bed and moved him through Federal lines.
-Wrecked a train in West Virginia and captured a Union Army payroll on $173,000 in what was to become known
as the "Greenback Raid".
-Held 15,000 - 30,000 Union Army troops from combat because they had to protect bridges, wagon trains, and communications from his raids.
-Might have prolonged the war six months to a year by destroying the Manassas Gap Railroad, delaying efforts
to supply Federal forces.
-Had Rangers from England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany in his command.
-Had serving in his command the grandsons of President Monroe and Francis Scott Key.
-Explained his war tactics to a much interested small boy named George S. Patten, Jr.
-Received from the last person to speak with him prior to his death, an offer of any assistance possible. The offerer was Col. U.S. Grant III, the grandson of his former enemy during the War, Gen. U.S. Grant.
And, last but not least,
-Never surrendered his command, following the end of the WBTS.


In their guerrilla operations, the forerunner of those of the commandos of today, Mosby's Rangers stayed away from well travelled routes and stole along unmarked paths behind enemy lines. Their hiding places were out of the way, in secret spots where they could not be easily discovered. They were the sight unseens.

It was the mysterious manner in which they moved that gave them the edge over the enemy, that made their little band of only 800 men in effect, a small army that performed wonders, took Federal officers out of their beds, captured valuable stores of food and carried off droves of horses and cattle, operated so effectively that General Lee remarked: "Hurrah for Mosby, I wish I had a hundred like him".

No longer is Mosby the mysterious figure whose operations were largely resposible for delaying the end of the war by nearly year. No longer is he an unrecognized hero as he was for so long after his activities ended.

My head is bowed in appreciation
SgtCSA

[Admiral_Porter]

I like the 125th Ohio better known as Opdycke's Tigers.