Confederate Regiments & BatteriesAlabama


The 48th Alabama Infantry Regiment was organized in Alabama in May of 1862 and was surrendered at Appomattox Court House in April of 1865. It mustered 1,100 men, losing over 150 killed in action and another 165 to disease during the Civil War.

1862
May 22 The 48th Alabama Infantry Regiment was organized for three years service at Auburn, Alabama, under the command of Colonel James Lawrence Sheffield and Major Enoch Aldridge
June Sent to Virginia, where it was attached to Taliaferro’s Brigade of Jackson’s Division in the District of the Valley.
August 9
Battle of Cedar Run

The regiment lost 12 men killed, Captain David R. King mortally wounded (died November 26) and Major Enoch Aldridge, Captain Reuben Ellise, Adjutant Thomas B. Harris and 57 other men wounded

August 30
Second Battle of Manassas

Captain Moses Lee was killed, and 49 other men became casualties. Captain Jesse Alldredge (son of Major Enoch Alldredge) was wounded.

September 15
Siege of Harpers Ferry
September 17
Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam)

The regiment was commanded by Colonel Sheffield and lost 10 men killed and 33 wounded. Captain Robert C. Golightly was killed, Captain John Wigginton was wounded and Captain William Hardwick was captured.

September 29 Major Enoch Aldridge resigned due to his wound from Cedar Run.
October 15 Captain Jesse Alldredge was promoted to lieutenant colonel and Captain William M. Hardwick of Company H was promoted to major.
December 13
Battle of Fredericksburg

Captain C. B. St. John commanded the regiment.

1863
January 19 Transferred to Law’s Alabama Brigade in Hood’s Division of Longstreet’s Corps per Lee’s Special Orders No. 19.
Aptil 27 Captain Samuel A. Cox died in service
April 11 – May 6
Suffolk Campaign
June Lt. Colonel Jesse Alldredge resigned due to disability. Major Hardwick was promoted to lieutenant colonel and Captain Columbus. B. St. John of Company F was promoted to major.
July 1 – 3
Battle of Gettysburg

Commanded by Colonel Sheffield, the regiment suffered 8 killed and 67 wounded out of 374 men engaged. Colonel Sheffield’s report states, “Lieuts. F. M. Burk and R. L. Ewing, and Captains Eubanks and Edwards are especially noticed for their gallantry. Lieut.-Col. W. M. Hardwick and Maj. C. B. St. John were efficient until wounded.”

Major Hardwick and Captains T.J. Eubanks and Columbus St. John were wounded, and Captain Jeremiah Edwards was captured. Colonel Sheffield took over the brigade after the attack on July 2 when General Law took over division command from the wounded Hood.

From the brigade monument at Gettysburg:

July 2. Left New Guilford 25 miles distant at 3 A.M. Arrived and formed line 50 yards west of this about 4 P.M. and advanced against the Union positions. The 4th 15th and 47th Regiments attacked Little Round Top and continued the assault until dark. The 44th and 48th assisted in capturing Devil’s Den and 3 guns of the 4th New York Battery.

July 3. Occupied the breastworks on west slope of Round Top. The 4th and 15th Regiments assisted at 5 P. M. in repulsing cavalry led by Brig. Gen. E. J. Farnsworth in Plum Run Valley.

July 5. About 5 A. M. began the march to Hagerstown Md.

September The regiment was transferred to the west with Longstreet and two divisions.
September 20
Battle of Chickamauga

Lieutenant Colonel Hardwick was in command.

October 28
Lookout Valley

Captain T. J. Eubanks was killed and 3 other men were killed or mortally wounded

October 31 Major St. John was retired to the Invalid Corps due to his Gettysburg wound.
November
Siege of Knoxville
1864
April The regiment returned to the Eastern Theater with Longstreet’s two divisions.
May 5 – 6
Battle of the Wilderness

Adjutant H. S. Figuera and 10 other men were killed, 30 men were wounded, and 8 men missing

May 7 – 12
Battle of Spotsylvania Court House
June Lieutenant Colonel Hardwick was captured while on furlough in Alabama.
July – December Captain J. N. D’Armand and 8 other men were killed and 24 wounded in the last half of the year.Colonel William Oates transferred from the 15th Alabama Infantry Regiment and took command.
August 16
Battle of Fussel’s Mill

Colonel Oates was badly wounded, losing his right arm, and Major Wigginton was also wounded.

November On north side of James River in Law’s (then Perry’s) Brigade, Major John W. Wigginton in command
1865
April 9, 1865
Appomattox Court House

The 48th Alabama Infantry Regiment surrendered 14 officers and 122 enlisted men. The flag which the regiment surrendered was returned to the State of Alabama in 1905 and is in the property of the Alabama Department of Archives and History.