There were several excellent combat Infantry Brigades that served in the Confederate Armies during the war. Most of them suffered abnormally high battlefield losses.
Four of the best and well-known of these Confederate Infantry Brigades (excluding adjunct units) were the:
. Stonewall Brigade
. Texas (or Hood's) Brigade
. Orphan Brigade
. Missouri Brigade
The Stonewall Brigade was probably the most famous combat infantry unit in the Army of Northern Virginia and were considered reliable fighters, both in defense and as assault troops. This Brigade was often in the thick of the fighting and participated in most of the major battles in the eastern theater. This all-Virginian Brigade, organized and led initially by Jackson (from mid-1861), consisted of the 2, 4, 5, 27 & 33 VA regiments. The Brigade was virtually wiped out at Spotsylvania (1864), after which it ceased to exist. The few surviving members were redeployed to other units and continued to fight with Lee's Army until the surrender at Appomattox.
The hard-hitting Texas (or Hood's) Brigade were probably the best shock combat troops in the Army of Northern Virginia. It was organized in late 1861 and was commanded by Hood for a period. The Brigade's regiments were the 1, 4 & 5 TX, as well as the 18 GA (originally), then the 3 AK (afterwards). This Brigade earned a reputation for being aggressive fighters. Under Hood, it launched savage and ferocious attacks at places like Gaines Mill, Second Manassas, Antietam, and Devils Den, Gettysburg, often resulting in very heavy casualties among its own ranks. The remnants of this Brigade surrendered at Appomattox.
The First Kentucky Infantry Brigade CSA, nicknamed the 'Orphan Brigade', was organized in late 1861 and was originally led by Breckinridge. These independently-minded Kentuckians were tenacious and tough fighters that endured frequent hardships and deprivations, and suffered under poor Army leadership. The Brigade was composed of the 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 9 KN regiments. The unit fought gallantly in many of the battles across eight states in the western theater with large losses, which included many of its commanders. It was used in direct assaults at Stones River and Chickamauga. The Orphans suffered horrific losses during the battles of the Atlanta campaign, and were virtually wiped out as an effective fighting force at Jonesboro. After Jonesboro, surviving members were transferred to mounted units and fought in the Carolinas until the end of the war.
The First Missouri Infantry Brigade CSA (the Missouri Brigade) was perhaps less well-known than the other famous Brigades above. This highly-disciplined Brigade of spirited and determined fighters, had a distinguished combat record second to none and often bore the brunt of the fighting. It was a highly mobile unit that fought in many major engagements and skirmishes across three theaters of the war. The Brigade was first organized from Missouri volunteers in late 1861. It was later (early 1863) commanded by Cockrell and became known as 'Cockrell's Missouri Brigade'. By late 1862, the Brigade included the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 MO infantry regiments. The Brigade launched ferocious attacks that broke through Union lines at places like, Corinth, Port Gibson, Champions Hill and Allatoona Pass, but often lacked the support needed to fully exploit its gains. It was steadfast in defense too, as demonstrated at the Vicksburg Siege and Kennesaw Mountain. The Brigade was slaughtered and almost destroyed at Franklin (1864) in a foolishly ordered frontal attack. Its few survivors later surrendered at Fort Blakely AL in 1865, after mounting a defiant defense against overwhelming odds.
After reading about the battlefield exploits of the First Missouri Brigade, I regard this unit as the best combat infantry Brigade that fought for the Confederacy. In my view, they were probably the South's best shock troops for launching assaults or counter-attacks. Like for the Stonewall and Orphan Brigades, these Missourians could also be counted on to mount a resolute defense. And Francis Cockrell, leading them, was arguably the best combat Brigade commander in the Confederate Army.
Interestingly, highly capable and regarded senior Confederate Generals like Joe Johnston and William Hardee, leaders with extensive and vast command experience, both said that Cockrell's Missouri Brigade was the best body of Infantry they ever saw. Similarly, another vastly experienced Confederate General, Dabney Maury, called them the finest troops he had ever seen.
In my opinion, there was no more effective Infantry Brigade that fought for the Confederacy, than this group of Missourians. Cockrell's Missouri Brigade was the Confederacy's best crack combat unit.
Was there a better Southern Infantry Brigade in combat?
Forum Host
Bringing the