Wanted! Men and Women interested in reliving one of the most pivotal times in American history.
Our Mission
To children, we teach their proud heritage that has been passed over by history. We also display many artifacts and exact
reproductions of the era personally owned by the members themselves, and are not limited to just soldier life but also include
women, as they are very much a part of the original unit.
We hope that in sharing our hobby, we can all learn how this period was pivotal in the foundations that make
up our modern life.
History of The 15th Alabama AVI
In May 1861, James Canty- a wealthy South Carolina planter living in
Russell County, Alabama- formed "Canty's Rifles" militia at Fort Mitchell on the Chatahoochee River. As was the custom then,
he was elected the Captain. While camped at Fort Mitchell awaiting their first orders, nine other militias arrived from Barbour,
Dale, Macon, and Pike counties. A tenth militia from Henry County arrived, lead by future Alabama governor and US Senator,
Captain William C. Oates. On July 3rd 1861 Alabama Governor A.B. Moore swore in all 11 militiasas
companies A through K,15th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Oates' militia became company G of that regiment. James Canty was elected
Colonel. The men enlisted for 3 years to qualify for free uniforms and equipment. The government refused equipment for less
than 3-year commitments. 15th Alabama's first weapons were 1840's Mississippi rifles and even older George Law smoothbore
muskets converted to percussion rifles. They later acquired British Enfield and New England -made Springfield rifles.
The 15th Alabama was ordered to Pageland Field, Va for drill. At Pageland, the regiment suffered its first 150 losses to its
worst enemy- the measles. Camp life in 1861/1862
was congested and filthy. Disease and sickness plagued the new soldiers. But Colonels seeking political favor refused to move
the sick to hospitals: the more men they were able to display , the better their chances for promotion to General. To escape
the measles, the 15th was ordered to Camp Toombes, Va in September 1861. At Camp Toombes,
the 15th Alabama was combined with the 16th Mississippi, 21st North Carolina, and the 21st Georgia as Trimbles Brigade of
Ewell's Division. Trimble's Brigade moved north to Manassas,Va near Washington to spend its first Winter Quarters. The following
April, Ewell's Division was assigned to T. "Stonewall" Jackson's Corps. The 15th was baptized to hostile fire as part of Jackson's
famous Shenandoah Valley Campaign, capturing 10,000 prisioners, 52 cannons, 105,000 rifles, and 600 beef- defeating three
federal armies.
Battles Fought
The 15th Alabama mustered
1,612 men throughtout the war. Suffered losses in 48 battles, and surrendered 172 men fit for fighting at Appomattox Court
House, Va in 1865.
Winchester, Va
May 25, 1862 Cross Keys, Va
June 8, 1862 Malvern Hill, Va
July 2, 1862 Cedar Run, Va
August 9, 1862 Warrenton Springs Ford, Va August 12, 1862 Hazel
River , Va
August 22, 1862 2nd Bull Run, Va
August 28-30, 1862 Chantilly, Va
September 1,1862 Sharpesburg, Md
September 17, 1862 Sheperdstown, Va
September 19, 1862 Fredericksburg, Va
December 13, 1862 Suffolk, Va
April 28- May 3, 1863 Gettysburg, Pa
July 2-3, 1863 Battle Mountain, Va
July 17, 1863 Chickamauga, Ga
September 19-20, 1863 Mocassin Point, Tn
September 30, 1963 Brown's Ferry, Tn
October 28,1863 Lookout Valley, Tn
October 28,1863 Campbell's Station, Tn
November 15, 1863 Knoxville, Tn
November 25, 1863 Knoxville, Tn
November 29,1863 Dandridge, Tn
January 24, 1864 Wilderness, Va
May 6, 1864 Spotsylvania Court House, Va May 8-12, 1864 North Anna River,
Va
May 25, 1864 Ashland, Va
May 31, 1864 2nd Cold Harbor, Va
June 3, 1864 Chester Station,Va
July 17, 1864 Petersburg, Va
July 19-25, 1864 New Market Heights, Va
August 14-15,1864 Fussell's Mills, Va
August 16, 1864 Fort Gilmer, Va
September 29,1864 Fort Harrison, Va
September 30,1864 Darbytown Road, Va
October 7 and 13, 1864 Williamsburg Road, Va
October 27, 1864 Appomattox Court House, Va April 9, 1865
