CHAPTER V.
THE ALABAMA CAVALRY COMMANDS—REGIMENTS, BATTALIONS AND DETACHED COMPANIES—REFERENCES TO THEIR SERVICES IN THE OFFICIAL RECORDS.
THE First Alabama cavalry was organized at Montgomery, November, 1861, under Col. J. H. Clanton. It was ordered to Tennessee, and was at Jackson, Tenn., March 6, 1862; ordered to Monterey March 31st, and opened the battle of Shiloh. Was with Generals Walker, Beall, Chalmers and Wheeler in the summer and fall of 1862; afterward served, successively, in the brigades of Generals Hagan, Russell, Morgan and Allen, of Wheeler's corps. It moved into Kentucky and was distinguished at Munfordville, Perryville, and the many cavalry battles fought by Wheeler in the Kentucky campaign. It also fought with him at Nashville, Stewart's Creek bridge, and various skirmishes preceding and incident to the battle of Murfreesboro. It was especially thanked by General Bragg for gallant conduct in that great battle. It was also part of the rear guard which protected the retreat from Tullahoma and Chattanooga, losing severely at Duck river; fought at Chickamauga, Clinton and Knoxville, and took a brilliant part in the Sequatchee raid, in which nearly 2,000 prisoners and a train of 1,000 provision wagons were captured.
The First Alabama cavalry took a very conspicuous part in the rout of Generals Stoneman, Garrard and McCook; and was also daily engaged in retarding Sherman's advance, and harassing the enemy's front and flank in the Dalton-Atlanta campaign. It was in fights at or near Middleton, Fosterville, Lafayette, Marietta, Noon-
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