I read on Wikipedia that despite it's name, the vast majority of the 1st AL cavalry regiment (Union) was made up of Tennessean unionists, who I would expect to be mountain men from the East TN mountains (my name, hehe). So why was it named the 1st AL, if this was true?
There were also Unionists in middle and west Tennessee. You may be thinking of the
1st Tennessee and Alabama Vidette Cavalry. That was a separate unit, and actually a Battalion :
TENNESSEE
1st TENNESSEE AND ALABAMA VIDETTE CAVALRY.
Organized Companies "A," "B," "C," "G" and "H" at Stevenson and Bridgeport, Ala.,
September 10, 1863, to April 26, 1864. Companies "D," "E" and "F" at Tracy City and
Nashville, Tenn., December 9, 1863, to February 24, 1864. Participated in skirmish
at Hunt's Mills near Larkinsville, Ala., September 28, 1863. Beersheeba Springs
November 26. Expedition to Lebanon December 12-29. Skirmish at Sand Mountain, Ala.,
December 26. Mustered out June 16, 1864.
Frederick A. Dyer "A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion" vol.
http://www.1stalabamacavalryusv.com/1sthistory.aspx
First Alabama Cavalry
Organized: Huntsville & Memphis, TN on 10/1/62
Mustered Out: 10/20/65
Report of Maj. Sanford Tramel, First Alabama
Cavalry of operations January 28-March 24.
HDQRS. FIRST ALABAMA VOLUNTEER CAVALRY,
Faison's Depot, N. C., March 28, 1865.
LIEUT.: I have the honor to report that in obedience to orders
received from your headquarters, my regiment under command of Maj.
F. L. Cramer, numbering 28 officers and 292 men for duty, broke camp
near Savannah Ga., on the 28th day of January, 1865, and moved with
the brigade on the Springfield road leading to Sister's Ferry on the
Savannah River. We arrived at Sister's Ferry on the evening of the
29th, and camped two miles from the river, where we remained until
the 3d day of February, when we crossed the river and commenced our
march in south Carolina in the direction of Lawtonville.
On the 4th Capt. J. J. Hinds, commanding Second Battalion, was
ordered back to Sister's Ferry to report to Maj.-Gen. Slocum, in
obedience to orders from the colonel commanding brigade. This left
only one battalion of 170 men in the regiment. On the 6th we had some
skirmishing with Crews' brigade, of Wheeler's command, capturing
some prisoners. On the 7th assisted in destroying Charleston and
Augusta Railroad. On the 8th we moved from Blackville on the road
to Williston, my regiment in advance. I, with two squadrons, was
ordered in the advance, and came to the rebel pickets just before
reaching the village. We routed and drove them through the town, and
established a picket-post half a mile west of the village, awaiting the
arrival of the command. The regiment soon arrived, and as we were
about to establish camp the picket-post was attacked. Capt. Latty, in
command of two squadrons, was immediately ordered forward with
instructions to ascertain, if possible the force the enemy had in the
vicinity. As he advanced the firing became rapid, and I, with the
remaining three squadrons, was ordered to Capt. Latty's assistance.
We drove them one mile and a half, where we found they had
established a strong line. Maj. Cramer was soon on the ground and
took command of the main body in the center, while I, with twenty
men, and Capt. Latty with the same number, moved on each flank of
the enemy, Maj. Cramer advancing with the center. This movement
routed them. We drove them half a mile, where they had another line.
This we broke also, and halted for a short time, when Col. Spencer,
Cmdg. brigade, re-enforced us with the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry.
We were then ordered to resume the chase, and on advancing found the
enemy in a strong position in the woods near White Pond. On being
ordered we charged them, when followed the most complete rout I ever
witnessed. Guns, sabers, canteens, haversacks, saddle-bags, hats, and
everything which would impede the flight of the affrighted and flying
enemy were abandoned and completely strewn over the ground. We
continued the pursuit over five miles, capturing quite a number of
prisoners, with five stand of colors. We were then ordered to abandon
the pursuit, and returned to camp at Williston. We ascertained we had
been contending against a greatly superior force of the enemy.
The conduct of the officers and men of my regiment on this occasion
was praiseworthy in the highest degree. The loss of the regiment was
four men wounded, one mortally, who afterward died.
On the 10th of February Capt. Hinds joined us with his battalion,
and the regiment was present at the fight near Aiken, but took no active
part, except to build a barricade and hold a position on the right. On the
11th we again resumed our march with the brigade, and participated in
all the different scenes through which it passed, crossing the Edisto,
Saluda, Broad, Wateree, and Great Pedee Rivers, via Lexington, Alston,
Black Stocks, Lancaster, and Sneedsborough nothing of special
importance occurring. After crossing the Great Pedee River and going
into camp at 9 o'clock on the evening of March 6, I was ordered to take
fifty men and proceed to Rockingham, N. C., about twelve miles distant,
and, if possible, take the place and secure the mail. I advanced to
within three miles of the place without meeting any opposition. I there
found the road strongly picketed by the enemy, and immediately ordered
my men to charge, which they did in a gallant manner, driving the
enemy from post to post until we reached the edge of the village, where
we found a line too strong for us to break with the small force at my
command; consequently I ordered the men to fall back slowly, which
they did in good order. I then returned to camp, arriving there at 4 a.m.
on the 7th. We again moved with the brigade on the 7th, via
Rockingham, and Solemn Grove, and on the evening of the 9th camped
at Monroe's Cross-Roads, having marched during the day in close
proximity with the enemy. At the sounding of reveille on the morning
of the 10th instant, we were aroused from sleep by the whistling of
bullets and the friendship yelling of the enemy, who were charging into
our camp. Then followed a most bloody hand-to-hand conflict, our men
forming behind trees and stumps and the enemy endeavoring to charge
us (mounted) with the saber.
While gallantly cheering his men Maj. F. L. Cramer was wounded
and taken prisoner.
The fighting was most desperate for an hour, when we succeeded in
connection with the Fifth Kentucky and Fifth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry,
in driving the enemy away from our camps.
During the fight I was captured by the enemy and held as prisoner until
the 14th instant, when I succeeded in making my escape, and after three
days lying in the swamps and traveling nights, I succeeded in rejoining
my command.
After my capture Capt. J. J. Hinds took command of the regiment
and retained it until my return, and I am indebted to him for the gallant
manner in which he handled the command during the remainder of that
severe and terrible fight.
Capt. Peek deserves special mention for his gallant daring and
coolness during this struggle. The loss of the regiment in the affair was
4 men killed, 27 wounded, and 41 missing.
My regiment moved with the brigade, and was present when the cavalry
encountered the enemy on the evening of the 15th, also in the fight of
the 16th instant, but sustained no loss as it held a position on the left.
We next encountered the enemy in strong force on the 18th, but evaded
him by taking a road leading more to the right, while a portion of the
Fifth Kentucky Cavalry attracted his attention at a certain point. We
encountered the enemy again same day, but he was easily repulsed and
driven away. My regiment continued with the brigade; was present and
assisted in guarding the left flank of the army during the hard battles
of the 19th, 20th, and 21st instant. The enemy then being routed and
the campaign ended, my regiment moved with the brigade to Faison's
Depot, where we arrived on the 24th instant and have remained in camp
since that time.
During the campaign my regiment has captured something over 100
prisoners and over 200 horses.
The regiment has lost during the campaign; Maj. F. L. Cramer,
severely wounded and a prisoner; afterward paroled on account of
wounds. Capt. John Latty, Company C; First Lieut. George W.
Emerick, Company A; First Lieut. Joseph H. Hornback, Company
K, Second Lieut. George C. Jenkins, Company M, wounded
severely; Surge. J. G. C. Swaving and First Lieut. John P. Moore,
Company E, captured. Moore afterward escaped. Four enlisted men
killed, 28 wounded (2 or 3 mortally, who afterward died), 46 captured;
215 horses-some by being captured, others by being worn out and
abandoned.
I have the honor to be, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
S. TRAMEL.
Maj. First Alabama Volunteer Cavalry, Cmdg. Regt.
Lieut. J. N. LUKINS,
A. A. A. G., 3d Brig., 3d Cav. Div., Mil. Div. of the Miss.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 896-98 OPERATIONS IN N. C., S. C., S. GA., AND E. FLA. [CHAP. LIX.
[Series I. Vol. 47. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 98.]
Bringing the