William H Bailey died in Knoxville, TN in 1862

[bama_belle]

He is my g-g-g-grandfather.

I have no other information other than he was born in Shelby County, Alabama on 22 Mar 1818 and he died in 1862 in Knox County, Knoxville, TN.

I'm assuming that he died a soldier.

I've found two soldiers with the name and rank of Pvt. William H Bailey. One was with the 1st Alabama Infantry, CSA, Companies B and I. The other was with the 31st Alabama Infantry CSA, Co. E.

I cannot, however, find any record (so far) of either of these units battling or being in Knoxville, TN during that time.

Is there anyone here from that area that may have more extensive information on what battles happened and who was involved? I would love to be able to find the missing links for William.

Thanks.

[gary]

East Tennessee was very loyal to the Union. Your relative may have joined a northern unit and died in their service. Alternatively, he could have been killed by the seccessionists for his Union sentiments.

The best bet is to list every single William H. Bailey (South then North) and then go through their service record. There's a muster card that tells where they enlisted at and where their residence is. That will eliminate a lot of folks who aren't the right Bailey. It should take about a day or two at the National Archives.

[larry_cockerham]

The 31st Alabama seems to fit you details. One major battle that occurred about that time 1862 was Fishing Creek in Kentucky. I'll look for an order of battle for that. Here's an excerpt from the regimental history:

31st Alabama Infantry Regiment

The 31st Alabama Infantry Regiment was organized at Talladega, 16 March 1862, with men from Calhoun, Cherokee, Montgomery, Randolph, Shelby, and Talladega counties. It reported to Gen'l Danville Leadbetter at Chattanooga shortly after. It then moved up to Knoxville, where it was brigaded under Gen'l Seth Barton, in Carter Stevenson's Division. The regiment was at the investment of Cumberland Gap, and it took part in the fight at Tazewell. With Gen'l E. K. Smith's column, it was in the Kentucky Campaign, without coming up with the enemy. When the forces came back, it was permanently brigaded with the 20th, 23rd, 30th, and 46th Alabama regiments, under Gen'l Edward D. Tracy of Madison, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana. In December, the 31st accompanied Stevenson's Division to Vicksburg. In May 1863 it helped defend Port Gibson, Mississippi, where the regiment suffered severely. It fought at Baker's Creek, and the loss was heavy. As part of the Vicksburg garrison, the regiment suffered through the siege, and after losing a number killed and wounded, it was surrendered with the fortress. Placed in parole camp at Demopolis, the 31st was soon exchanged.

[larry_cockerham]

1st Alabama muster rolls from this site:

http://www.tarleton.edu/~kjones/docs.html

Seems to me from this scant evidence that the 31st might better fit you information?

[samgrant]

Uncle Billy?