AOT Question

[ghostchaser]

Considering the condition of the Army of Tennessee in December 1864, why was it divided? I know that the 58th AL was sent to assist in the defense of Mobile (as they are my main interest). Were there others? What good was expected to come from this division? Any thoughts

 

[Robtweb1]

The AOT had had it as a fighting force. There wasn't any point in trying to operate in that area any more and the next yankee targets were Mobile and the east coast (Charleston, etc). My great-grandfather's regiment, the 9th Texas, went to Spanish Fort.

 

[ghostchaser]

I had several ancestors in the 58th AL. Wonder what the chances are that they knew your great-grandfather?

 

[Robtweb1]

I had several ancestors in the 58th AL. Wonder what the chances are that they knew your great-grandfather?

What division? Great-granddaddy was a surgeon. If they were at Spanish Fort, I doubt there were very many separate field hospitals. Good chance somebody would have met up.

 

[ghostchaser]

Infantry, Co's A and H. I don't know that it would have mattered at that point in the war, but my gg-grandfather was a musician. I have learned that musicians worked in field hospitals at times.

 

[Robtweb1]

Infantry, Co's A and H. I don't know that it would have mattered at that point in the war, but my gg-grandfather was a musician. I have learned that musicians worked in field hospitals at times.

Musicians were used in the hospitals and as litter bearers. If there were any left in the AOT after Franklin. Hood sent the bands in with the infantry.

 

[ghostchaser]

Musicians were used in the hospitals and as litter bearers. If there were any left in the AOT after Franklin. Hood sent the bands in with the infantry.

LOL, he survived Franklin, paroled in Meredian. Can you imagine charging the enemy with a fife?

 

[Robtweb1]

LOL, he survived Franklin, paroled in Meredian. Can you imagine charging the enemy with a fife?

That's when you ask yourself "What am I doin here?".

 

[ghostchaser]

I just wonder what logic went into the split. The 58th was linked to Mobile since the beginning, so I can understand that (a homecoming of sorts). But NC units were present at Spanish Fort, and AL units were present at Hood's surrender. Let's just say you needed 10 infantry regiments sent to AL, and you have 8 AL regs. in your command. Why not send all 8 of those and 2 from another state? Kinda seems like they just drew numbers out of a hat.

 

[mobile_96]

Why not send all 8 of those and 2 from another state? Kinda seems like they just drew numbers out of a hat.

Possibly the person/s assigning the regiments were afraid of higher desertion rates the closer regiments were sent to their homes.
NC troops were noted for their higher desertion rates and sending them in the direction of home Might only compound the problem, especially at this stage of the conflict, and their loss of morale after the horrific losses at Nashville. Would expect it to be the same for the Ala. troops.

 

[ghostchaser]

I could see that being the case. However, I read in one account that when Fort Blakely was evacuated, there was talk of re-joining the AOT. I looked for the ref. before posting this, but couldn't find it.

 

[mobile_96]

I could see that being the case. However, I read in one account that when Fort Blakely was evacuated, there was talk of re-joining the AOT. I looked for the ref. before posting this, but couldn't find it.

My understanding is the entire garrison of Fort Blakely was captured, which was approx 3400. It was the garrison of Mobile, approx 4500, that headed north toward Meridian, 12th, , led by Gen. Maury. They reached near Meridian and on the 21st moved to Cubs Station,on the Miss-Alabama line in preparation for a possible movemet by rail to NC to join Gen. Johnstons army. Here. on April 24th that Maury's army received official confirmation on the surrender of Lee's Army and the capture of Jefferson Davis.. notes from 2 sources-"Mobile, 1865-Last Stand of the Confederacy: by Sean O'Brian and "History of the Campaign of Mobile" by C.C.Anderson.
In my youth, I lived in Whistler, Ala, where the Confederates were prevented from buring a bridge to stop Union pursuit, and is thought to be the site of the last shot of the Mobile Campaign.
Anyway, with Maury was Gibson's, Holtzclaw's, and Ector's brigades + the artillery commands from Spanish Fort and Mobile. Reminents of Sear's brigade, about a dozen officers and 55 enlisted men were attached to Ector's brigade.

 

[ole]

We might also note that, after Nashville, an AoT regiment was no longer 1000 men. If one needed 1000 men, it might take 10 regiments.

But I like Mobile's supposition that there might have been some reluctance to send troops to their home state. Makes it a whole bunch easier to disappear.

 

[Robtweb1]

"No. 173

I, the undersigned prisoner of war belonging to the Department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana, having been surrendered by Lieutenant General R. Taylor, C. S. A., Commanding Army and Division of West Mississippi, do hereby give my solemn Parole of Honor that I will not hereafter serve in the Armies of the Confederate States or in any military capacity whatever against the United States of America, or render aid to the enemies of the latter until properly exchanged in such manner as shall be mutually approved by the respective authorities.

Done at Meridian, Mississippi this 9 day of May, 1865.
R. T. De Aragon } Surgeon, 9th Tex. Infy.
Approved: R. L. Gibson , Brig. Gen'l, C. S. A.
Com'ns. S. L. Andrews, Brig. Gen'l, U. S. A.

The above named officer will not be disturbed by United States authorities, as long as he observes his parole, and the laws in force where he resides.
S. L. Andrews

Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols. and Pro. Mar. Gen."

 

[Nathanb1]

LOL, he survived Franklin, paroled in Meredian. Can you imagine charging the enemy with a fife?

I hadn't quite gotten the idea myself (even thought I KNEW it) till I read Howard Bahr's books. I believe I might have hit some sour notes.

 

[jenkingish]

Couldn't this also have something to do with just having too many places being invaded by the Union troops? If I remember correctly, there was a time when quite a few Southern govenors were calling on Davis to detach troops to help protect threatened areas in thier own states. Not sure if this falls in the same time frame or not.

 

[ghostchaser]

My understanding is the entire garrison of Fort Blakely was captured, which was approx 3400. It was the garrison of Mobile, approx 4500, that headed north toward Meridian, 12th, , led by Gen. Maury. They reached near Meridian and on the 21st moved to Cubs Station,on the Miss-Alabama line in preparation for a possible movemet by rail to NC to join Gen. Johnstons army. Here. on April 24th that Maury's army received official confirmation on the surrender of Lee's Army and the capture of Jefferson Davis.. notes from 2 sources-"Mobile, 1865-Last Stand of the Confederacy: by Sean O'Brian and "History of the Campaign of Mobile" by C.C.Anderson.
In my youth, I lived in Whistler, Ala, where the Confederates were prevented from buring a bridge to stop Union pursuit, and is thought to be the site of the last shot of the Mobile Campaign.
Anyway, with Maury was Gibson's, Holtzclaw's, and Ector's brigades + the artillery commands from Spanish Fort and Mobile. Reminents of Sear's brigade, about a dozen officers and 55 enlisted men were attached to Ector's brigade.

You are correct. I meant the remaining soldiers in the Mobile area. At that time, the 58th AL was in Holtzclaw's Brigade.

 

[prroh]

The remains of the AoT that went east became part of the Army of the South. They were about 3,400 at the surrender and about 3,000 at out of the approximately 35,000 at Bentonville. Since Johnston's Army of the South was composed of bits and pieces from various commands, numbers present are less exact than the usual uneven Confederate records. The AoT survivors more or less straggled in over several weeks. Some brigades of five regiments had only a few hundred. Regimental battle flags made a sea of red.

 

[njwilliams]

The remains of the AoT that went east became part of the Army of the South. They were about 3,400 at the surrender and about 3,000 at out of the approximately 35,000 at Bentonville. Since Johnston's Army of the South was composed of bits and pieces from various commands, numbers present are less exact than the usual uneven Confederate records. The AoT survivors more or less straggled in over several weeks. Some brigades of five regiments had only a few hundred. Regimental battle flags made a sea of red.

I always found it sad how the AoT went from a large fighting machine like the one that won at Chickamauga with a little help from the two divisions of Longstreet's corps. I think the AoT would have fared but under the command of a competent general, Joe Johnston was good. But Bragg and Hood should get a lot of the blame for it's failures and destruction, but I feel most of the blame should lie squarely on the shoulders of Jeff Davis, for putting those two in charge and keeping in the case of Bragg him in place, because they were friends and all.

 

[rpkennedy]

I hadn't quite gotten the idea myself (even thought I KNEW it) till I read Howard Bahr's books. I believe I might have hit some sour notes.

I'll be honest and admit that I'd probably duck behind the guy in front of me and if he fell, I'd probably fall too. Or take his weapon if I was feeling particularly courageous.

R