The Peninsula Pryor's Brigade -- creation date, units, where?

[trice]

I am looking for the information on the formation of Pryor's Brigade (named after Roger A. Pryor) in April of 1862. He had recently been elected to the Confederate House of Representatives (served Feb 18-April 5, when he resigned).

Here is where we know Pryor himself was in early April:

• At the beginning of April, Roger Pryor is Colonel of the 3rd Virginia Infantry regiment.
• The 3rd Virginia is one of three regiments in Colston's Brigade.
• Colston's Brigade is part of General Huger's command.
• Colston's Brigade is supposed to be stationed on the south side of the James River at Harden's Bluff.
• Through a misunderstanding of orders, two regiments of Colston's Brigade had been moved north of the order.
• Robert E. Lee corrected this in late March to Magruder, Huger and Colston.
• On April 1, Pryor was nominated to be a Brigadier General
• On April 2nd, Magruder ordered Pryor to take both regiments back to Colston south of the James.
• On April 3rd, Pryor crossed to the south side of the James with both regiments.
• On the night of April 3rd-4th, the 3rd Virginia is in Camp Pemberton south of the James.
• On the 4th, McClellan advanced. When Magruder heard of the advance, he requested that Colston's Brigade cross the James to reinforce him.
• On April 4th, Pryor and the 3rd VA crossed back to the north side of the James, arriving about 10PM at the wharf.
• On April 16th, the Confederate Congress confirms Pryor as a Brigadier General.
• Pryor's date-of-rank as a Brigadier General is April 16, 1862.

Here are some things we know about Pryor's Brigade:

• @67th Tigers has said (in another thread) "As a senior colonel, he was given command of a brigade consisting of the 8th Alabama, 14th Alabama, 14th Louisiana and Macon's Battery." I had the impression he meant on April 5th, 1862.
• About April 30, 1862, Pryor's Brigade exists as:

Pryor's Brigade.​

Col. J. A. WINSTON commanding.​

8th Alabama 800​

14th Alabama 700​

14th Louisiana 750​

Macon's battery 60​

2,310​

Source: "Organization of the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Joseph E. Johnston, on the Peninsula, about April 30, 1862.(*)" in the Official Records.​

​

Here is what I am looking for:

• Any information on when Roger A. Pryor was first appointed to command a brigade.
• Any information on when "Pryor's Brigade" was created (such as an order assigning a commander to it or assigning units to it).
• Any information on the whereabouts of Roger Pryor or the 3rd Virginia Infantry during the month of April, 1862.
• Any information on the whereabouts of the 8th Alabama, 14th Alabama, 14th Louisiana or Macon's Battery during the month of April, 1862.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

 

[danny]

Hope this helps

 

[ErnieMac]

Excerpt from letter to MG Theophilus Holmes from General Robert E. Lee dated April 30, 1862. OR Series 1, Volume IX, page 468.

"With reference to the promotion of Colonel Daniel the Secretary is unwilling at this time to increase the number of brigadiers. There are two now without commands, Generals Wise and Pryor, either of whom can be ordered to you if you desire it."​

 

[danny]

Excerpt from letter to MG Theophilus Holmes from General Robert E. Lee dated April 30, 1862. OR Series 1, Volume IX, page 468.

"With reference to the promotion of Colonel Daniel the Secretary is unwilling at this time to increase the number of brigadiers. There are two now without commands, Generals Wise and Pryor, either of whom can be ordered to you if you desire it."​

Holmes allegedly responded, "You can keep your Generals; I can get along with my Colonels."

 

[trice]

Here's an interesting point in a letter from D. H. Hill to Joe Johnston:

YORKTOWN, VA., April 26, 1862— 11 a.m.​

General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON: ​

​

GENERAL: The enemy has thrown up a parallel this side of Wormley's Creek and in front of the woods. The work was done last night. He threw up a line of investment before Redoubts 4 and 5 night before last. He has not fired a shot from the land side for a week.​

The shipping has fired a good deal, but as yet without hurting any one or anything.​

​

I referred to the present exhaustion of the troops in Yorktown. Ten days ago there was not a traverse constructed against enfilade and reverse fire; there was not a magazine properly covered, and there was scarcely a heavy gun on the land side which could be brought to bear on certain points. All this work has been done by the troops here; in addition, they have had to land all the guns, forage, and commissary stores. I have withdrawn all the negro force from the outworks and will try to relieve the troops here. Fifty more negroes here would give a great relief by being turned over to the quartermaster and commissary. Some 300 negroes were sent up to fix up the outworks ten or fifteen days ago. A large portion of these have reported sick and have left.​

​

Five 8-inch columbiads have arrived since my assignment to duty. These have been placed on the land side. An 8-inch howitzer has also come and been placed in position.​

​

There are now at the wharf a 10-inch columbiad and a 5.82-inch rifle. The latter is a Richmond gun, and I am afraid of it. For every gun we will get the Yankees will have ten of an infinitely superior character. We have about 60 rounds for each heavy gun. I understand that there are about 200 rounds per gun at Jamestown Island. As the island must fall if Yorktown does, would it be practicable to get some ammunition from it?​

​

I would be glad to have authority to draw tents from Williamsburg to take the place of the huts the men are now using. These huts ought to be destroyed.​

​

A company of Hood's riflemen placed in the Peyton battery near the wharf might succeed in stopping the passage of the gunboats by killing the crew. The distance to the main channel is less than half a mile.​

​

With great respect,​

D. H. HILL, ​

Major-General.​

​

P. S.— Is Pryor's regiment subject to my orders? It is in my line, but Colston claims it and sends orders.​

It appears from that P. S. that Pryor might still be with the 3rd Virginia Infantry on the morning of April 26th, or at least that D. H. Hill thinks he is. It would appear as well that the 3rd Virginia is still part of Colston's Brigade, or at least Colston thinks it is.

In the document @danny provided, there is a report from Brigadier Colston listing Pryor as the colonel of the 3rd Virginia Infantry on April 14th.

In the letter @ErnieMac pointed out: on April 30th, General Robert E. Lee thinks that newly-minted Brigadier General Pryor (confirmed on April 16th) does not yet have an assignment to a command and offers him to Holmes.

We know that there is a "Pryor's Brigade" in the undated (assumed to be April 30) organization of Joe Johnston's Army. That report, however, lists Colonel John A. Winston of the 8th Alabama as the brigade commander, not Pryor. Possibly Pryor is being assigned, but has not yet arrived to take command of this brigade. It is known that Pryor had left the Army in April and was in Richmond at a reception with Jeff Davis -- possibly related to his promotion. This appears to be what @67th Tigers is talking about, but he is insisting that it happened before April 5th.

 

[trice]

In the document @danny provided, there is a report from Brigadier Colston listing Pryor as the colonel of the 3rd Virginia Infantry on April 14th.

Here, BTW, is that letter in the document @danny provided:

4/14 Colston to Capt F Gardner Hqs 3 rd Div, Army of Peninsula [note Capt Gardner was on staff of Gen Withers [formerly of 3rd Ala] –& Gardner later became Cdr at Port Hudson]

In obedience to G O #2 from Dept Hqs at Yorktown, following is list of field officers of this Bgde. I request that our Bgde be numbered. ​

​

Colston-B Gen ​

3 Va.-R Pryor-Col ​

14 NC-J Daniel-Col ​

13 NC-A Scales-Col ​

13 NC-W S Guy Lt Col ​

3 Va.-Mayo-Lt Col ​

1 NC Arty Ramseur-Major ​

13 NC-D Hamilton-Major ​

14 NC-P Faison-Major ​

3 Va.-J V Scott-Maj​

Va Historical Society `Early Family Papers, 1764–1956. 437 items. Mss1EA765b. Microfilm reels C456–458.

 

[Belfoured]

I am looking for the information on the formation of Pryor's Brigade (named after Roger A. Pryor) in April of 1862. He had recently been elected to the Confederate House of Representatives (served Feb 18-April 5, when he resigned).

Here is where we know Pryor himself was in early April:

• At the beginning of April, Roger Pryor is Colonel of the 3rd Virginia Infantry regiment.
• The 3rd Virginia is one of three regiments in Colston's Brigade.
• Colston's Brigade is part of General Huger's command.
• Colston's Brigade is supposed to be stationed on the south side of the James River at Harden's Bluff.
• Through a misunderstanding of orders, two regiments of Colston's Brigade had been moved north of the order.
• Robert E. Lee corrected this in late March to Magruder, Huger and Colston.
• On April 1, Pryor was nominated to be a Brigadier General
• On April 2nd, Magruder ordered Pryor to take both regiments back to Colston south of the James.
• On April 3rd, Pryor crossed to the south side of the James with both regiments.
• On the night of April 3rd-4th, the 3rd Virginia is in Camp Pemberton south of the James.
• On the 4th, McClellan advanced. When Magruder heard of the advance, he requested that Colston's Brigade cross the James to reinforce him.
• On April 4th, Pryor and the 3rd VA crossed back to the north side of the James, arriving about 10PM at the wharf.
• On April 16th, the Confederate Congress confirms Pryor as a Brigadier General.
• Pryor's date-of-rank as a Brigadier General is April 16, 1862.

Here are some things we know about Pryor's Brigade:

• @67th Tigers has said (in another thread) "As a senior colonel, he was given command of a brigade consisting of the 8th Alabama, 14th Alabama, 14th Louisiana and Macon's Battery." I had the impression he meant on April 5th, 1862.
• About April 30, 1862, Pryor's Brigade exists as:

Pryor's Brigade.​

Col. J. A. WINSTON commanding.​

8th Alabama 800​

14th Alabama 700​

14th Louisiana 750​

Macon's battery 60​

2,310​

Source: "Organization of the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Joseph E. Johnston, on the Peninsula, about April 30, 1862.(*)" in the Official Records.​

​

Here is what I am looking for:

• Any information on when Roger A. Pryor was first appointed to command a brigade.
• Any information on when "Pryor's Brigade" was created (such as an order assigning a commander to it or assigning units to it).
• Any information on the whereabouts of Roger Pryor or the 3rd Virginia Infantry during the month of April, 1862.
• Any information on the whereabouts of the 8th Alabama, 14th Alabama, 14th Louisiana or Macon's Battery during the month of April, 1862.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.

Regarding the 8th Alabama, there is this:

The Alabama historical quarterly. : [Montgomery, Ala.]Alabama State Dept. of Archives and History. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Edited by Marie B. Owen

archive.org