HISTORICAL NOTES: The 1st Alabama Artillery Battalion, Companies "A"-"F", was recruited in Mobile, Montgomery, Selma, and Eufaula, part of the "Army of Alabama," and it was organized about the 1st of February 1861, at Fort Morgan. In March 1861, the command was transferred to the Confederate government as "regulars". Co. "A" had two 6-lb. Smoothbores on 31 Oct 1861.
Stationed at Fort Morgan and its dependencies in or near Mobile throughout the war, the battalion attained a high degree of discipline, insomuch that Union Gen'l Gordon Granger pronounced it the most perfect body of either army. Detachments of it manned the heavy artillery at Forts Gaines and Powell and rendered effective service. Majors Tucker and Gee commanded for a year or two before a lieutenant colonel was appointed. During the terrific bombardment of Fort Morgan, August, 1864, the battalion, "moved by no weak fears," handled the guns until they were all knocked out of position, losing 150 k and w of about 500 engaged. The men were taken to Elmira, New York, where fully half died of smallpox (officers were taken to Fort Warren). A small detachment, not captured, continued the fight at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. A small number moved to Choctaw Bluff in March 1865 and were included in the surrender of the Dept. of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana.
OFFICERS:
Forsyth, Robert C. - Lieut. Colonel (Mobile; resigned)
Gee, James T. - Major, Lieutenant Colonel (Dallas; captured, Fort Morgan) Tucker, S. S. - Major
Cary, J. M. - Major (Barbour; captured, Fort Morgan)
