Federal Regiments from Confederate States?

[FiremarshalBill]

I know there were Union regiments raised from Tennessee, Arkansas, and probably (Western) Virginia, but were there Federal Infantry and/or Cavalry regiments raised from any of the other Confederate states?

 

[GELongstreet]

The Union also raised lots of units, including many colored, from Alabama, Louisiana and both Carolinas as well as a few from Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas.

 

[rpkennedy]

I know there were Union regiments raised from Tennessee, Arkansas, and probably (Western) Virginia, but were there Federal Infantry and/or Cavalry regiments raised from any of the other Confederate states?

The only Confederate state that did not provide any white regiments was South Carolina. Every Confederate state provided black troops.

R

 

[Borderruffian]

There were Union Regiments and BN'S raised in Tennessee (white) many from the Unionist parts of East Tn but also from West Tn like Hurst's and Bradfords commands,So white Regiments were raised in CS states espedially after those portions came under Federal Control and the resident Unionists were able to to form units.

 

[DR_Hanna]

The 1st Alabama Cavalry (USV) rode with Sherman.

 

[civilken]

I myself had a lovely time at Antietam. There was a young man there from Virginia dressed in a northern uniform he was representing his family his uncles cousins and great-grandfather fought for the North about 10 of them and he told me I lovely story about his family and how they were proud Americans it was very interesting and moving. They didn't take the easy way out like so many and I am sure including me it must have been hard to go against the grain and friends and family but they did all four union and America that's something to be proud of when you take a stand even when you're all alone.

 

[leftyhunter]

I know there were Union regiments raised from Tennessee, Arkansas, and probably (Western) Virginia, but were there Federal Infantry and/or Cavalry regiments raised from any of the other Confederate states?

I would definitely recommend " Lincoln's Loyalists by Richard Current as a great place to start. Dyers Compendium has a list of Unionist regiments.Keep in mind of the approximately 110k white Unionist troops half enlisted in out of state Union regiments.
Leftyhunter

 

[tlyne]

The 1st Alabama Cavalry (USV) rode with Sherman.

The First Alabama (U.S.) Cavalry

The 1st Alabama Cavalry Regiment was a cavalry regiment recruited from Southern Unionists that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was the only all-white Union regiment from Alabama. Of the 2,678 white Alabamians who enlisted in the Union Army, 2,066 served in the 1st Alabama Cavalry.

The 1st Alabama Cavalry was raised from Alabama Unionists at Huntsville, Alabama and Memphis, Tennessee in October, 1862 after Federal troops occupied the area. It was attached to the XVI Corps in various divisions until November 1864, when it became part of the XV Corps. During this time, its duties mostly consisted of scouting, raiding, reconnaissance, flank guard, and providing screening to the infantry while on the march.

The regiment was selected by Major General William T. Sherman to be his escort as he began his march to the sea. It was assigned to the Third Division of the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi in January 1865. It fought at the battles of Monroe's Crossroads and Bentonville and was present at the surrender of the Army of Tennessee at the Bennett Place. It was sent to the District of Northern Alabama, Department of the Cumberland in June 1865.

The regiment was mustered out of service at Huntsville, Alabama on October 20, 1865, with only 397 men present. Out of the 2,000 men who served in the unit during the course of the war, 345 were killed in action, died in prison, of disease or other non-battle causes, 88 were captured, and 279 deserted, with no accurate count of the number of wounded.

 

[leftyhunter]

I know there were Union regiments raised from Tennessee, Arkansas, and probably (Western) Virginia, but were there Federal Infantry and/or Cavalry regiments raised from any of the other Confederate states?

The sources I cited have information on the U.S. Coulored Troops although their are certainly other books written about them.Most black troops where from the slave states.Approximately 17 to 25 percent of the U.S. Navy was black.
Many Southerners fought has guerrillas or militias against the Confederacy.I have a thread "Union vs CSA guerrillas " that subject.
Leftyhunter

 

[lelliott19]

The 1st Alabama Cavalry (USV) rode with Sherman.

And with Streight during Streight's Alabama Raid......
"The 1st Alabama scouts as the rearguard were under almost constant pressure from Forrest, and in spite of gallant conduct by the brigade exhaustion and lack of rations forced Streight to surrender to Forrest on May 3, 1863 near Cedar Bluff, Alabama. In the week of the raid, the 1st Alabama Cavalry lost sixteen men killed, wounded, or missing. Captain David Smith, leader of the Streight Alabama companies was kept in Confederate prisons until finally released in early 1865. He died in the hospital in Annapolis, Maryland on April 18, 1865, nine days after Appomattox."
http://www.1stalabamacavalryusv.com/Fights/Streight_Raid.aspx

Correspondence of the N.Y. "Post"
Pulaski, Tenn. Feb. 1, 1864
From the California Newspaper, The Daily Evening Bulletin, 3/17/1864
Submitted by Marie Young
But few persons are aware of the existence of a loyal white regiment of Alabamians; yet it deserves honorable mention in this age of strife, as much for the circumstances under which it was organized, as for the signal service it has since rendered to the Government. This little body of men, around which thousands, many yet to gather, owes its organization chiefly to Col. George E. Spencer, its commander, and Charles B. Cagle of Winston County, Alabama. Uncouth and illiterate as was the latter, he possessed the qualities of bravery, fine feeling and native intelligence, which rendered him superior to his class in every respect. It is said he was never outside of Winston County until the war broke out of the State in the whole course of his life; but even while surrounded by ignorant people and pernicious influences, he was staunch and firm in our cause and never yielded in his determination to maintain it.......
read more here http://www.1stalabamacavalryusv.com/Fights/Loyal.aspx

 

[leftyhunter]

I know there were Union regiments raised from Tennessee, Arkansas, and probably (Western) Virginia, but were there Federal Infantry and/or Cavalry regiments raised from any of the other Confederate states?

I have two threads on this subject.
1. "How effective where Unionist regiments" lots of good info from various posters.
2. "Why did Southern men enlist in the Union Army".
Leftyhunter

 

[damYankee]

Here is a list of regiments from each state,

http://www.civilwararchive.com/regim.htm

 

[DR_Hanna]

Uncouth and illiterate as was the latter, he possessed the qualities of bravery, fine feeling and native intelligence, which rendered him superior to his class in every respect.

What a nice turn of phrase. Apparently the newspaper writer quoted did not have high opinion of backwoods Southerners.

 

[rickvox79]

I had a 3rd generation great-grandfather in the 1st Florida Cavalry (Union) and also an great-uncle (his brother in law) in the 1st as well. 25 years ago or so my Dad spoke with a relative that said that they remember their parents talking about how it was scandalous in the small community at the time for them to have joined a Union cavalry regiment. My grandmother told my Dad that she remembers her mom telling stories of how her grandmother would walk to Fort Barrancas to visit him while he was stationed there for a time. There is actually a house in Bagdad, Florida that has still has graffiti left from someone in the 1st Florida.

As a kid I went to Bagdad Elementary until the 4th grade and I remember us walking from the school to the house since it was close by and viewing the graffiti. At the time I didn't realize I had ancestors that were in the 1st Florida. I posted some pictures of the house with an article on it a few years ago but can't find the thread at the moment. As I was typing this I found a link with more information about the graffiti in the Thompson House. It was discovered by the home owner in 1976 and said "Bagdad, Mr. Thompson, Spurling's First Florida Calvary camped in your house, October 26, 1864."

In March 1862 the Confederates burned the Bagdad lumber mill, shops, buildings and even mill worker's homes so I think that helped to push some locals to the Union side in the aftermath of that.

 

[leftyhunter]

I know there were Union regiments raised from Tennessee, Arkansas, and probably (Western) Virginia, but were there Federal Infantry and/or Cavalry regiments raised from any of the other Confederate states?

One of our posters had a good thread on the Mississippi Mounted Rifles Union. Maybe on of the moderators could help you find it. Look up Colonel George Kirk who recruited Confederate deserters for the1st and 2nd North Carolina Mounted Infantry. Kirk was a very controversial leader who also fought pro Confederates after the Civil War. I have some information on him in my thread Union vs CSA guerrillas.
I also have a thread "vindication of the1st Arkansas Calvery".
Leftyhunter

 

[leftyhunter]

I know there were Union regiments raised from Tennessee, Arkansas, and probably (Western) Virginia, but were there Federal Infantry and/or Cavalry regiments raised from any of the other ConfederSeate states?[/QUOTE
See Major Bills thread on "How much Unionism was their in Texas"
Lots of linls to books and other information.
Leftyhunter

 

[tlyne]

First Florida (U.S.) Cavalry

Authorized by General Nathaniel P. Banks October 29, 1863, and organized at Barrancas, Florida, December, 1863 to August, 1864. Attached to Pensacola, Florida, District West Florida, Department of the Gulf, to October, 1864. 2nd Brigade, District West Florida, to January, 1865. 3rd Brigade, District West Florida, to March, 1865. 2nd Brigade, Lucas' Cavalry Division, Steele's Command, to May, 1865. District of West Florida to November, 1865.

SERVICE – Duty at Barrancas, Florida, till March, 1865. Expedition from Barrancas toward Pollard, Alabama, July 21–25, 1864. Actions at Camp Gonzales July 22, and near Pollard July 23. Expedition from Barrancas August 13–14. Expedition from Barrancas to Mariana September 18 – October 4. Euche Anna C.H. September 23. Mariana September 27. Vernon, Florida September 28. Expedition up Blackwater Bay October 25–28. Milton, Florida October 26. Expedition from Barrancas to Pine Barren Creek November 16–17. Pine Barren Creek and Bridge November 17. Expedition to Pollard, Alabama, December 13–19. Bluff Springs and Pollard December 15. Escambia Bridge December 15–16. Pine Barren Ford December 17–18. Expedition from Barrancas to Milton February 22–25, 1865. Milton February 23. Campaign against Mobile, Alabama and its defences March 18 – April 9. March to Blakely, Alabama, March 18–31. (Dismounted men remain at Barrancas.) Expedition to Alabama and Florida Railroad March 18–25. Near Evergreen, Florida March 24. Muddy Creek, Alabama, March 26. Siege of Fort Blakely March 31 – April 9. Near Blakely April 1. Occupation of Mobile, Alabama April 12. March to Montgomery, Alabama April 13–25. Duty there and in Alabama till May. Ordered to Barrancas, Florida, and duty in Western and Middle Florida till November. Mustered out on November 17, 1865

 

[rickvox79]

This thread got me interested in the 1st Florida again. I actually ran across an interesting article on a soldier from the 1st Florida and it gives his story about joining the 1st Florida. It says he was in the 15th Confederate Cavalry before deserting, which ironically enough I had another 3rd generation grandfather and uncle in the 15th Confederate. Here is the link if anyone was interested: http://www.brettschulte.net/CWBlog/2009/02/08/soldiers-deserters-and-turncoats/

I may go into more detail on my family research thread on the researching ancestry forum so I don't clutter this one up with too much that goes off topic. But thanks for the thread, got my ancestry interest going again.

 

[GELongstreet]

I have two threads on this subject.
1. "How effective where Unionist regiments" lots of good info from various posters.
2. "Why did Southern men enlist in the Union Army"
. Leftyhunter

How effective were Unionist Regiments?

Why did white Southerners fight for the Union?

One of our posters had a good thread on the Mississippi Mounted Rifles Union. Maybe on of the moderators could help you find it. ... I have some information on him in my thread Union vs CSA guerrillas...
. Leftyhunter

1st Mississippi Mounted Rifles: Mississippi's Union Battalion

Mississippi's Only White Union Regiment - The 1st Mississippi Mounted Rifles

Union vs CSA Guerrilla

See Major Bills thread on "How much Unionism was their in Texas" Lots of linls to books and other information.
Leftyhunter

How much Unionism existed in Texas during the war?

 

[CadmusWilcox]

Interesting read, thank you.