Unit History – 6th Alabama Infantry

About 1,400 strong, was organized at Montgomery, Alabama, in May, 1861. Its twelve companies were recruited in the counties of Montgomery, Jackson, Autuaga, Lowndes, Russell, Macon, Henry, and Wilson. Ordered to Virginia, the unit was assigned to Rodes’, O’Neal’s, and Battle’s Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It was engaged in many conflicts from Williamsburg to Cold Harbor, moved with Early to the Shenandoah Valley, and ended the war at Appomattox. In April, 1862, it contained 1,100 effectives. Subsequently, it lost fifty-nine percent of the 632 engaged at Seven Pines and reported 156 casualties at Sharpsburg and 161 at Chancellorsville. Of the 382 in the fight at Gettysburg, more than 50 percent were disabled. The regiment surrendered with 4 officers and 80 men. Its commanders were Colonels John B. Gordon and John L. Seibles; Lieutenant Colonels B. H. Baker, Augustus M. Gordon, George W. Hooper, J. N. Lightfoot, and J. J. Willingham; and Majors J. F. Culver, S. Perry Nesmith, and Walter H. Weems.

From Joseph H. Crute, Jr., Units of the Confederate States Army, p. 8