Alabama 59th Infantry Regiment

HISTORICAL NOTES:
The Alabama 59th Infantry Regiment was formed by the consolidation of the Second and Fourth battalions of Hilliard's Legion. The Legion was organized at Montgomery June 25, 1862, and consisted of five battalions one of which was mounted, and being detached in a short time thereafter, became part of the Tenth Confederate regiment. The Second battalion, six companies was commanded by Lieut. Colonel Bolling Hall, Jr. of Autauga, and Major W. Stubblefield of Coosa; the Fourth battalion was commanded by Major John D. McLennan of Barbour. The legion proceeded to east Tennessee, nearly 3000 strong, under its commander, Col. Hilliard of Mongomery. Proceeding to Cumberland Gap, it was part of the force that besieged that position. In October the legion was a part of the force that occupied Kentucky, a fatiguing march. It passed the winter and summer following in east Tennessee during which time Col. Jack Thorington of Montgomery (of the first battalion) succeeded Col. Hilliard, and in April 1863 it was attached to Gen. Gracie's brigade. The legion was in the great battle of Chickamauga, and left more than half its number on the bloody field, and the flag of the Second battalion was perforated by 81 balls. Moving into east Tennessee, Col. Thorington having resigned, the legion was divided into the Fifty-ninth and Sixtieth Alabama regiments, and Twenty-third battalion, at Charleston, Nov. 25, 1863. The Fifty-ninth was at the investment of Knoxville, and the fights at Dandridge and Bean's Station, with some casualties, especially at the latter. In April 1864 the regiment reached Richmond, and shortly after took part in the battle of Drewry's Bluff and the fight with Sheridan, losing largely in casualties in the former. From June till the March following, the Fifty-ninth was in the trenches of Petersburg, or in the numerous fierce conflicts at the dank and rear of the army, losing a number at Hatcher's Run and White-oaks Road. As part of Gordon's corps, Bushrod Johnston's division, the regiment was engaged at Appomattox, and there surrendered.

This flag is an Army of Northern Virginia, 3rd wool bunting issue. Flags of this issue were manufactured at the Richmond Depot between July 1862 and May 1864. The flag of the 59th Alabama Infantry was captured near Hatcher's Run, Virginia, on March 25, 1865, by Private George W. Tompkins, Co. F, 124th New York Infantry. The flag was being carried by Lt. Col. Daniel S. Troy, 60th Alabama Infantry, who was urging the men under this command forward when he was shot down by Private Tompkins. Tompkins was recommended for and received the Congressional Medal of Honor. The flag was forwarded to the U.S. War Department where it was assigned Capture Number 272. It was returned to the State of Alabama effective April 26, 1905. OFFICERS:
Colonels Bolling Hall, Jr. of Autauga; wounded at Drewry's (and at Chickamauga as battalion commander).
Lieut. Colonels John D. McLennan of Barbour; killed at Drewry's. Geo. W. Huguley of Chambers.
Majors Geo. W. Huguley; promoted. Lewis H. Crumpler of Coosa.
Adjutants Crenshaw Hall of Autauga; wounded at Drewry's
ASSIGNMENTS:
April, 1863, attached to Gen'l Gracie's Brigade.
Gordon’s Corps, Bushrod Johnston’s Division after Knoxville.
SERVICE:
As a part of Hilliard’s Legion
Cumberland Gap
Bragg’s Kentucky Campaign
Perryville
Bean’s Station
Morristown
Chickamauga

As the AL 59th Infantry Regiment
Knoxville
Dandridge
Bean's Station
Drewry's Bluff
Siege of Petersburg
Hatcher's Run
White Oaks Road
Appomattox
ROSTER:
The roster of this regiment contains the names of 1698 men.

Co. "A" (Tallapoosa County): John H. Dillard (died in service, 12 Feb 64); John H. Porter

Co. "B" (Autauga County): Bolling Hall (promoted); John F. Wise (resigned, 25 April 64); John E. Hall (wounded, Petersburg)

Co. "C" (Coosa County): William T. Stubblefield (promoted); Lewis H. Crumpler (promoted); W. R. Davie

Co. "D" (Barbour County): John D. McLennan (promoted); James Lang (wounded, twice)

Co. "E" (Dale County) [Co. "B", 4th Battalion, Hilliard's Legion, split on 14 Sept 62 and part formed what became Co. "E"; some of the men had prior service in Co. "E", 7th AL Infantry]: William H. Stuckey (retired, 30 April 64); James L. Williams; W. J. Peacock

Co. "F" (Randolph County): John Moses. Hendricks (died in service); S. E. A. Reaves (wounded, Drewry's Bluff; died in service, 16 March 65)

Co. "G" ("Siler Guards"; Pike County): Ed. L. McIntyre (resigned, 18 June 63); John C. Henley

Co. "H" (Butler County): Louis Harrell (resigned, July 63); H. H. Rutledge (KIA, Drewry's Bluff); Zachary Daniel (KIA, Hatcher's Run)

Co. "I" (Butler County): James R. Glasgow (resigned, 4 Aug 63); R. Fuller Manly (wounded, Drewry's Bluff, Hatcher's Run; captured, Hatcher's Run)

Co. "K" (Coosa County): W. D. Walden (died in service, 14 Oct 63); R. H. Gulledge

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.