Alabama 51st Regiment Partisan Rangers

HISTORICAL NOTES:
The 51st Alabama Cavalry Regiment, Partisan Rangers, was organized at Oxford on 11 August 1862, with men from Calhoun, Dallas, Mobile, Montgomery, Perry, Pike, Saint Clair, Talladega, and Tuscaloosa counties. Ordered to Tennessee, the regiment was placed under Gen'l Nathan Bedford Forrest and was in the fight at Lavergne. A few weeks later, it was assigned to Gen'l Joseph Wheeler's command and served during the war principally in the brigades of Gen'l William W. Allen of Montgomery, or Gen'l James Hagan of Mobile. It was engaged in the Battle of Murfreesboro with light loss, and it was in the raid down the Cumberland River in January with like result. The regiment was engaged in frequent skirmishes while protecting Gen'l Braxton Bragg's communications. It was in the fight at Shelbyville, where nearly half the regiment was killed or captured. The 51st fought at Tracey City and Chickamauga with few casualties, then it was part of the force that made the Sequatchee Raid, in which 1,000 wagons laden with stores were destroyed, and 4,000 mules were butchered. The regiment was part of the force that captured 400 of the enemy at Maryville, and soon after it was part of the investing force at Knoxville. During the remainder of the winter of 1863/1864, the 51st was arduously employed in East Tennessee. It took its place on Gen'l Joseph E. Johnston's flank in the retreat to Dalton and fought nearly every day for three months. At Decatur and Jonesboro, the 51st was fully engaged, losing severely. It moved into Tennessee shortly after, then wheeled about and harassed Union Gen'l William T. Sherman's march into the Carolinas with much effect. About a week before the capitulation, the 51st captured the 1st Alabama (Union) Regiment. As part of Gen'l Hagan's Brigade, the regiment laid down its arms near Raleigh at Durham Station, 26 April 1865. OFFICERS:
Cols. John T. Morgan (Dallas; promoted); Milton L. Kirkpatrick (Montgomery); Lt. Cols. James D. Webb (Greene; KIA, Elk River); Milton L. Kirkpatrick (promoted); Majors Henry Bradford Thompson (Pike; resigned); James T. Dye (Talladega; captured, Shelbyville); and Adjutants Charles Force (District of Columbia; transferred to line); David Shaw Bethune (Pike) ASSIGNMENTS:
Assigned to Gen'l Joseph Wheeler's command and served during the war principally in the brigades of Gen'l William W. Allen of Montgomery, or Gen'l James Hagan of Mobile. SERVICE:
Active in the conflicts at Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Chickamauga, Maryville, Knoxville, Decatur, and Jonesboro. Later it moved through Tennessee, aided in the defense of Savannah, and was involved in the campaign of the Carolinas.

Aiken, SC - Feb. 11, 1865
ROSTER:
The roster of this regiment contains the names of 1824 men.

Company A - Calhoun County

Company B - Pike County

Company C - Talladega County

Company D - Calhoun County

Company E - St. Clair County

Company F - many men from Talladega County

Company G - Tuscaloosa County

Company H - Montgomery County

Company I - Dallas County and Perry County

Company K - Mobile County

Source:
Brewer, William Brief Historical Sketches of Military Organizations Raised in Alabama During the Civil War
BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Rigdon, John C. A Guide to Alabama Civil War Research, Cartersville, GA: Eastern Digital Resources, 2011.