1st Alabama Cavalry - Est. 1862
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It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Glenda McWhirter Todd. She passed away on September 3, 2017 surrounded by her family. She was a historian, genealogist, and author who prided herself on being a descendant of Andrew Ferrier McWhirter of the 1st Alabama Cavalry, USV. Her work over the past two decades and her dedication to the 1st Alabama Cavalry has created a legacy that will last for years to come.

Her life's work has touched thousands of people through the years, and I am glad that I had the pleasure to work with her as long as I did. My hope is that her work will live on for years to come to educate and inspire a new generation.


Excerpts from the Official Records Concerning the 1st Alabama
Series 1, vol 52, Part 1 (Supplements)

Page 104-106

Reports of Lieutenant Colonel George L. Godfrey, First Alabama Cavalry (Union), of operations July 11-13 and July 28-29.

HDQRS. FIRST REGIMENT ALABAMA CAVALRY VOLS.,Rome, Ga., July 13, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of an expedition which has just terminated:

In compliance with orders from General Vandever, I left Rome the 11th instnat, at 5 a. m., with 225 men. Crossing the Eotwah, I took the river road south of the Coosa toward ---- Mills; thence by Howell's Cross-Roads to Center, Ala., reaching the latter point about 8 p. m. I enocuntered no force oin the road except a few scouts and pickets in squads [of] from three to eight; of these I captured 8 and killed 1. I also captured Colonel Wright, aide to Goivernor Brown, at his father's house, about twenty miles from Rome. The only force I could hear of about Center was two companies of conscripts, who kept well out of my reach. I left Center at 3 a. m. the 12th instnat, sending one squadron south to destroy a ferry-boat on the Coosa at a crossing south. With the remainder of the force I proceeded north to Cedar Bluffs, seven miles, where I found three flats, which, after crossing my command, I destroyed. Taking the Alabama road, I proceeded toward Rome about ten miles, when I struck in toward the river for forag. Finding no corn, I encamped for the night in an oat-field about eighteen miles from Rome, having picked up but two or three persons during the day. I started this morning at sunrise and reached camp at 2 p. m. without seeing any scouts or picekts on the road. The nearest force of any size I could hear of was at Bull Mountain (could not learn what force) and Gadsden, at which places there are a portion of two regiments. The only force north of the Coosa, this side of Cedar Bluffs, I could hear of was about 100 or 200 Texas rangers. I found forage and stock very scarce, particularly north of the river. I could learn of no depot of supplies about Center, and found barely enough in the neighborhood to feed my stock once. I brought in 12 prisoners, 9 horses, and 25 mules.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. L. GODFREY,

Lieutenant-Colonel First Alabama Cavalry, Commanding Regiment.

Lieutenant T. W. LETTON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Post Rome, Ga.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST ALABAMA CAVALRY,July 31, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: In compliance with orders from your headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the troops under my immediate command in the late expedition that left Rome the 28th instant for Cedar Bluffs:

I left camp with six squadrons of cavalry, 160 men, and eleven wagons, in company with Major Forsse, oif the Fifty-seventh Illinois, with fifty infantry. When within about six miles of Cedar Bluffs Major Forsse, with his infantry, one squadron of cavalry, and six wagons, took a left-hand road toward the river for the purpose of loading up a mill, with instructions to join me on the Alabama road the next morning. With the other five squadrons I proceeded to Mr. Noble's place, about two miles north of Cedar Bluffs, sending one squadron through the latter place, which destroyed a boat at the ferry. I went into camp at Noble's place, and sent one company across the Chattooga River for forage-which, by the way, is very scarce in that vicinity-where they encoutnered one company of rebel cavalry andput them to flight. In the morning we started after the same company; came up with them, but they scattered ine very direction, so that we were unable to capture them. Of the five wagons I had with me, three were loaded with cotton at Noble's, one with a family of refugees living near by, and one with corn to feed on the road. Three wagons, with two squadrons of cavalry, I sent to join Major Forsee, with instructions for him to take the wagons, with all t he stock he could pick up, to camp. With the three remaining squadrons I started for the bend of the river, where I heard were 100 rebels fortifying. I scoured that portion of the country until night, but found none of the enemy or stock, everything having been driven off. I reached camp at 12 o'clock that night, bringing in 2 prisoners, 2 horses, and 4 mules. The prisoners were turned over to the provost-marshal, the horses and mules to the quartermaster. Of the language used by the Noble girls when I told them-as their brother had reuqested-that I had come to move them in town, one of them remarked that she was not going; that she would sooner stay there and tarve than move into Rome among the Yankees, and a good deal more of the same purport which I disremember.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

G. L. GODFREY,

Lieutenant-Colonel First Alabama Cavalry.

Lieutenant T. W. LETTON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

Report of Major Francis L. Cramer, First Alabama Cavalry (Union), of operations August 11-15.

CAMP OF THE FIRST ALABAMA CAVALRY,

Near Rome, Ga., August 15, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the expedition of 200 men of this regiment ordered to proceed toward Jacksonville, Ala., via Cave Spring, for information, &c.:

Left camp at 3 p. m. on the 11th instant and proceeded without inicdent to Cave Spring and camped for the night. On the 12th we marched to Cedartown, from there taking the jacksonville road to within twenty miles of that place, when, having ascertained that the force of the enemy near Jacksonville and Blue Mountain was from 1,200 to 1,400, and that they were gathering all the force they could in my rear, I moved to the left across the Dug Down Mountains toward Tallapoosa, near which place we camped for the night. During this day's march we found that our approach had been heralded by couriers and citizens from two to six hours of our advance in every direction. The next morning we moved into Tallapoosa, where we captured six prisoners belonging to Robinson's scouts, destroyed a quantity of corn and wheat that had been collected for the Confederate Government, also burned a steam cotton factory. From Tallapoosa we moved east to Buchanan, near which place we destroyed forty-eight sacks of flour (196 pounds to the sack), a quantity of wheat and salt belonging to the Confederate army. From Buchanan we moved north toward Van Wert. Soon after the noon halt our rear guard was attacked by a squad of cavalry, but were easily driven back. We camped for the night five miles west of Van Wert. The next morning we marched for Rome, where we arrived at 2 p. m. 15th instant. We ascertained that Clanton's brigade was stationed at Blue Mountain to recruit their stock, to conscript, catch deserters, and watch for raiding parties from the Federal lines. Prisoners brought in, twelve.

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

F. L CLAMER,

Major, First Alabama Cavalry.

Lieutenant T. W. LETTON,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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