This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/xhC.2ACE/751.2.1 Message Board Post: Thanks for the kind words; I'll look for this old article over the weekend. Don't be shy: please contact me. Early next week would be good. In 1872 Willis Brewer published "brief historical sketches" of almost every Confederate command from Alabama, 116 pages total, listing company commanders and counties in which each company was recruited. My copy has been in use since 1966 and badly worn as a result. The ADAH has graciously provided all of us an on-line copy: http://www.archives.state.al.us/referenc/alamilor/mil_org.html Brewer says little about the 56th Alabama; almost nothing about the companies from Walker and surrounding counties. That inspired me to do the research and write the article on the 13th Alabama P. R. Battalion. I also searched for each member on the 1860 census to see what areas of Walker and adjoining counties were represented. Capt. Freeman Johnson's company organized at Jasper Ala. on Sept. 6, 1862, his commission bearing that date. Members came from northern Walker and southern Winston. The company received the letter designation "D" in Major William A. Hewlett's 13th Battalion. On Oct. 6, 1862, Hewlett took the four companies of his battalion to camp at Columbus Miss., where they remained several months. In April 1863 a company from Fayette County joined the battalion. At this time Hewlett decided to place recruits that had recently come into camp in a new company. This new company was strengthened by transfer of most of Capt. Johnson's Winston County members to its ranks. These additions increased Hewlett's battalion to six companies and thereby qualified him for promotion. At this time the battalion had been picketing near Smithfield and Aberdeen Miss. On June 8, 1863, the 56th Alabama P. R. Regiment formed by combining five companies of the 15th Alabama P. R. Battalion with six of the 13th Alabama P. R. Battalion. The merger, which took place at Okolona, Mississippi, was confirmed by the Adjutant & Inspector General in Richmond Va. on July 8, 1863. Sometimes the command was called the 56th Alabama Cavalry Regiment. Officers and men enlisted for three years or the war. The article covers the command's military career in more detail. Members of the regiment were among the last Confederates to leave Meridian Miss. and Atlanta Ga. when Sherman visited those cities. They formed part of President Davis's escort when he rode south from Charlotte N.C. to Washington Ga. disbanding at the latter point on May 2, 1865. It doesn't surprise me that one of the three Johhnsons in this company (Co. "H", 56th Ala. P.R.) remained in the Carolinas. In addition to the article, I can provide copies of the service records of the three Johnsons in this company. As long-time company commander, Capt. Johnson's service file is rather full, including pay receipts, clothing issues to his men (cotton shirts and wool jackets), feed for horses &c. I haven't looked, but there may also be entries for them on the 1907 census as well as Ala. pension applications. Let me know how else I may assist you. Alan "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD." Prov. 21:31