Hello group.
I am taking my teenage sons to Gettysburg in June 2016. Conducting a little research, it looks like my Great, great grandfather, James M Wakefield, who lived in Pickens Co., Alabama, rode with the 12th Mississippi Cavalry and was later transferred to the 7th Alabama Cavalry. I believe he saw action mostly in the Western theater.
His brother, M. F. Wakefield, also from Pickens County, was in the 5th Alabama Infantry, supposedly also known as Pickens Blues. That is confusing to me... It almost sounds like a federal unit. Anyway, he supposedly was with the Army of Northern Virginia at many engagements and was wounded at some point. He survived the war and is buried in Austin, Texas at the State Cemetery. What I would love to do is walk in the very same spot that these men did. That is where history really comes alive for me.
If anyone can offer me any guidance I would certainly appreciate it.
http://www.archives.alabama.gov/civilwar/index.cfm
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Gettysburg after battle report:
Report of Col. J. M. Hall, Fifth Alabama Infantry.
Near Hagerstown, Md.,
July 9, 1863.
Lieut.: In obedience to orders from brigade headquarters,
I have the honor to submit the following report of the action of the
Fifth Alabama Regt. since leaving Grace Church, Va.:
The regiment left camp, near Grace Church, Caroline County,
Va., June 4, and arrived at Culpeper Court-House on the 7th.
On June 9, it was moved to support Maj.-Gen. Stuart, then
engaging the enemy's cavalry near Brandy Station, but the enemy
was driven back before the regiment was engaged.
On June 10, the line of march was resumed, and on the 13th the
command reached Berryville, in the Valley of Virginia, when the
enemy posted there fled on the approach of our troops.
On the next day, the command was moved forward, and arrived
at Martinsburg about dark. The enemy stationed at Martinsburg
moved off before the infantry became engaged.
On the 15th, the command moved to Williamsport, and rested four
days; then moved forward through the following places at the times
respectively specified: Hagerstown, Md., June 19; Greencastle, Pa.,
June 22; Chambersburg, Pa., June 24; Shippensburg, Pa., June
26; Carlisle, June 27.
The regiment reached Gettysburg, Pa., by way of Petersburg from
Carlisle, Pa., July 1, where the enemy was actually encountered
for the first time at the battle of Gettysburg. The brigade was
moved in line of battle, the movement commencing about 2 miles
from the town, the right resting nearer to and in the direction of the
enemy. The brigade moved 1 1/2 miles at a right wheel; hence the
Fifth Alabama Regt., being on the left of the brigade, was compelled
to move very rapidly--frequently at a run. It is but just to
state that the ground was very rough. In places the regiment moved
through full-grown wheat, in others over plowed ground, through
orchards, gardens, over wood and stone fences, which, with the rapidity
of the march, fatigued the men, causing many of them to
faint from exhaustion.
When within 500 yards of the enemy, the four regiments on my
right were ordered forward, and the Fifth Alabama Regt. was
halted in reserve, to protect the right flank of Gen. Doles and the
left flank of that part of Rodes' brigade which was then advancing.
After resting in this position a half hour, orders were sent to me to
advance on the enemy, composed of two heavy lines of infantry in
front and a line of sharpshooters, supported by infantry and artillery,
on my left flank. The enemy in front was engaged by the right
wing, the left having been thrown back at right angles with the rest
of the line, to engage the flanking party. The regiment fought in
this position until I was informed that the troops on the right were
falling back, when I ordered a retrograde movement to the position
I previously occupied. This was done the more conscientiously because
the odds opposed were very great, and my command was under
a front and enfilading fire, with no support, and suffering a very
severe loss.
After the enemy was driven through the town, the command was
posted in rear of the railroad, which position was held, though subject
to a constant and severe shelling, until late on the evening of
July 2, when the command was ordered forward to support a line of
battle in front. This movement was prosecuted until orders came
to fall back on the Cashtown road; that is, the regiment occupied
that street in Gettysburg which is a continuation of the Cashtown
road. This position was occupied all night, the men lying on their
arms.
The next morning all of the brigade was ordered to Gen. Edward
Johnson, excepting the Fifth Alabama Regt., which was reserved
to guard the streets of Gettysburg. At 3 p. m. I was ordered
to report to Gen. Doles. Was posted on his left, and remained
in line of battle until 12 o'clock at night, when I received orders to
report to my brigade, which had then returned to Rodes' division.
On the morning of July 4, the march was resumed, and the command
reached Hagerstown, Md., without any further engagement.
I would respectfully state that the general conduct of my command
was all that I could desire. I would beg to mention the names of
the following officers, who were conspicuous for their gallantry and
courage: Capt. T. M. Riley, in command of the right wing; Capts.
E. B. Moseley and J. M. Gilchrist; Lieuts. Burton Goode, John A.
Kirkland, E. P. Jones, and J. F. Christian. Adjt. C. I. Pegues
acted with conspicuous gallantry.
Many brave men were killed. Lieut. [Albert J.] Wilcox, a
most gallant officer, was killed on the field. The entire loss was--
Officers and men. K. W. M. T.
Officers................... 1 11 3 15
Enlisted men............... 20 110 64 194
Total*................. 21 121 67 209
K=Killed. W=Wounded. M=Missing. T=Total.
Respectfully, &c.,
J. M. HALL,
Col., Comdg. Fifth Alabama Regt.
Lieut. S. H. Moore,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Rodes' Brigade.
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Reports of Maj. Eugene Blackford, Fifth Alabama Infantry.
Darkesville, W. Va.,
July 17, 1863.
Lieut.: I have the honor to make the following report of
the action of the corps of sharpshooters under my command during
the battle of July 1, 2, and 3:
The corps was deployed 2 miles from Gettysburg, with the left
resting upon the Heidlersburg pike. After receiving instructions
from Gen. Rodes to keep connected with those on my right, and
feel for Gen. Early's advance on the left, I moved steadily forward
upon the town, driving in the cavalry vedettes, posted in the
road and on commanding hills. About half a mile from the suburbs,
a large force of cavalry was observed in line, with a heavy line of
men dismounted as skirmishers. The former charged us twice, but
were easily repulsed. After an hour or more of active skirmishing,
the enemy's infantry advanced in force through the town, and, under
cover of a cloud of skirmishers, moved upon our batteries. The right
company of my command annoyed these very much, holding their
position steadily until our infantry came up. Against the center
there was no movement by any force heavier than a double line of
sharpshooters, whom our men invariably drove back, charging them
once in gallant style.
On the extreme left, the enemy advanced in three lines, and drove
in my men there posted behind the trees. These retired, firing from
tree to tree until they met Gordon's brigade advancing, after which
they were rallied on the center at the sound of my bugle. The whole
command then moved up the pike, and, passing through the town,
took up its position on the left of Ramseur's brigade, then lying in
the Fairfield road. After dark, I reported to the colonel commanding
brigade.
July 2, about 9 o'clock, my corps was deployed in front of the
Fairfield road, where it remained until dark, when I took position in
the suburbs of Gettysburg, as near the enemy's lines as possible, the
men being sheltered in the houses.
At daybreak on the 3d, we opened fire upon the enemy's artillery
and skirmishers, and upon their lines of battle whenever they advanced,
as they frequently did. This must have annoyed the enemy
very seriously, as the average number of rounds fired was not less
than 200, at ranges varying from 300 to 500 yards. The Northern
papers confess that their gunners could not stand to their guns, and
that the officers were picked off by rebel sharpshooters. One battery
near us, after firing several shots at us, was removed out of our
sight.
Our loss was not more than 20 killed and wounded. No list of
casualties is inclosed, as they have been returned on the lists of the
respective regiments.
Abundant supplies of ammunition were obtained by sending details
through the town to collect cartridge-boxes.
At daylight on the 4th, I was ordered to fall back through the town,
and deploy in front of the new line of battle on the hills to the west.
This was accomplished just before sunrise.
Though all acted so well that I scarcely like to make a distinction,
yet I must call your attention to the conduct of Sergt. Christopher
Clark, commanding the company from the Fifth Alabama Regt.
He handled his company throughout with great skill and courage,
and would well fill a commission.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
EUGENE BLACKFORD,
Maj. Fifth Alabama, Comdg. Battalion of Sharpshooters.
Lieut. S. H. Moore,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Rodes' Brigade.
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