THE FIFTH ALABAMA INFANTRY.
The Fifth Alabama regiment was organized at Montgomery, May 5, 1861. Its first duty was at Pensacola, Fla. In August it was ordered to report to the commanding officer of the army of Northern Virginia.
Its first colonel was the renowned Robert E. Rodes, who was promoted to brigadier-general, October 21, 1861, and to the rank of major-general, May 2, 1863. He was distinguished in all the battles of Northern Virginia and was wounded and disabled at Seven Pines, but recovered sufficiently to resume command of the brigade at the battles of Boonsboro and Sharpsburg. He was then placed in command of a division, which he led in its brilliant charge on Hooker’s line at Chancellorsville, and it was for his gallantry in this battle that he received the commission of major-general.
He was greatly distinguished at Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, the second battle of Cold Harbor, Castleman's Ferry, Kernstown and Winchester. In the latter battle, while triumphantly leading his division, he received a mortal wound, lamented by his commanders and the entire army of Northern Virginia, toward whose great victories he had largely contributed. Generals Lee and Stonewall Jackson spoke of him in terms of highest commendation, and at Gettysburg his gallantry and skillful conduct elicited from General Lee his admiration and special thanks.
The next commander of this regiment was Christopher C. Pegues, who, like General Rodes, also reached great distinction, and after winning the encomiums of his commander for his gallantry in many battles, was killed while leading his regiment in the bloody charge at Cold Harbor.
Allen T. Jones, Lafayette Hobson and Josephus M. Hall afterward succeeded in command of this regiment.
John T. Morgan, afterward a brigadier-general, was at one time its lieutenant-colonel, and Eugene Blackford
