Company D, 9th Alabama Infantry. My Great Great Grandfather TJ Fowler was on the roll. TJ is Thomas Jefferson, born 1831 in the new State of Alabama, statehood was 1819. His regiment, Company D, 9th Alabama Infantry (CSA), known as the “Lauderdale Rifles”, or the “Alabama Rifles,” and it was part of the 9th Alabama Infantry Regiment in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. His regiment saw extensive action as part of the Army of Northern Virginia, participating in numerous battles and campaigns from 1861 to 1865. Below is a more detailed breakdown of the major engagements that Company D took part in as a component of the 9th Alabama Infantry:
Major Engagements Involving Company D, 9th Alabama Infantry:
- Peninsula Campaign (March–July 1862)
- Battle of Yorktown (April 5 – May 4, 1862): The 9th Alabama, including Company D, was involved in the defense during the month-long siege at Yorktown, Virginia, as Union forces under General George B. McClellan began their advance up the Virginia Peninsula.
- Battle of Williamsburg (May 5, 1862): After retreating from Yorktown, the regiment fought in a rear-guard action against Union forces at Williamsburg.
- Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks) (May 31 – June 1, 1862): The 9th Alabama saw heavy combat during this battle, part of a Confederate attempt to repulse the Union advance toward Richmond.
- Seven Days Battles (June 25 – July 1, 1862): The regiment was engaged in several key battles during the Seven Days, including:
- Battle of Gaines’ Mill (June 27, 1862): The 9th Alabama took part in the assault that broke the Union lines, contributing to a significant Confederate victory.
- Battle of Glendale (Frayser’s Farm) (June 30, 1862): Participated in the fighting to cut off the Union retreat.
- Battle of Malvern Hill (July 1, 1862): The regiment faced heavy artillery fire during an ill-fated assault on well-entrenched Union positions.
- Northern Virginia Campaign (August 1862)
- Second Battle of Bull Run (Manassas) (August 28–30, 1862): The 9th Alabama fought under General James Longstreet’s command during this battle, playing a role in the Confederate flank attack that helped secure a decisive victory.
- Maryland Campaign (September 1862)
- Battle of South Mountain (September 14, 1862): The regiment fought at Turner’s Gap in a delaying action to slow the Union advance.
- Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg) (September 17, 1862): The 9th Alabama saw severe fighting in the Cornfield and near the Dunker Church, suffering heavy casualties in one of the bloodiest battles of the war.
- Fredericksburg Campaign (December 1862)
- Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11–15, 1862): The regiment defended the Confederate right flank, holding positions near Marye’s Heights and participating in the repulse of repeated Union assaults, contributing to a decisive Confederate victory.
- Chancellorsville Campaign (April–May 1863)
- Battle of Chancellorsville (May 1–5, 1863): The 9th Alabama participated in the battle widely considered General Robert E. Lee’s greatest victory. The regiment was part of the Confederate forces that executed a daring flanking maneuver, attacking the Union Army under General Joseph Hooker.
- Gettysburg Campaign (June–July 1863)
- Battle of Gettysburg (July 1–3, 1863): The 9th Alabama fought under General Cadmus M. Wilcox’s Brigade of Major General Richard H. Anderson’s Division in the fierce fighting on July 2nd. They were involved in the assault on Cemetery Ridge, attacking the Union center near the Peach Orchard. The regiment suffered significant casualties during the attack.
- Bristoe Campaign (October 1863)
- Battle of Bristoe Station (October 14, 1863): The regiment took part in this battle as part of Lee’s attempts to flank the Union forces in Virginia. The campaign was largely unsuccessful, and the 9th Alabama was involved in the fighting withdrawal.
- Mine Run Campaign (November–December 1863)
- Mine Run Operations (November 26 – December 2, 1863): Engaged in defensive maneuvers during this campaign, where the Confederate forces managed to thwart Union General George Meade’s plans to attack Lee’s Army.
- Overland Campaign (May–June 1864)
- Battle of the Wilderness (May 5–7, 1864): The 9th Alabama participated in intense fighting in dense forests, suffering heavy casualties as both armies engaged in brutal combat.
- Battle of Spotsylvania Court House (May 8–21, 1864): The regiment fought in the extended and bloody engagement, particularly around the “Mule Shoe” salient, which saw some of the most vicious fighting of the war.
- Battle of North Anna (May 23–26, 1864): The regiment was engaged in the defense along the North Anna River against Union forces attempting to outflank the Confederate army.
- Battle of Cold Harbor (June 1–3, 1864): The 9th Alabama fought in the entrenched positions during the bloody assault at Cold Harbor, where Union forces suffered heavy casualties in a failed attack.
- Siege of Petersburg (June 1864–April 1865)
- Throughout the long siege, the 9th Alabama manned the trenches and fortifications defending Petersburg, Virginia. The regiment participated in various skirmishes and battles, repelling Union assaults and enduring harsh conditions.
- Battle of the Crater (July 30, 1864): The regiment was part of the Confederate forces that responded to the Union’s attempt to break through the lines by detonating a mine under the Confederate positions.
- Battle of Fort Stedman (March 25, 1865): Took part in Lee’s final attempt to break the Union siege lines in a surprise attack that initially succeeded but ultimately failed.
- Appomattox Campaign (April 1865)
- Battle of Sayler’s Creek (April 6, 1865): The regiment fought in this battle during the Confederate retreat, where a significant portion of Lee’s army was captured or killed.
- Surrender at Appomattox Court House (April 9, 1865): Company D, along with the rest of the 9th Alabama, was present at the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, marking the end of their involvement in the Civil War.
Summary
Company D, 9th Alabama Infantry, was actively engaged in almost every significant battle fought by the Army of Northern Virginia from 1861 to 1865. Their participation spanned from the initial engagements of the Peninsula Campaign to the final days of the Confederate struggle at Appomattox. Throughout these battles, the regiment demonstrated tenacity and resolve, suffering heavy casualties while playing crucial roles in many of the Civil War’s most pivotal moments.
