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8th Alabama Cavalry [Livingston's] Regiment

The 8th Alabama Cavalry was organized at Gadsden during the spring of 1864 by increasing the strength of Livingston's Cavalry Battalion. In the summer, it reported to and was brigaded under Gen'l Gideon Pillow at Blue Mountain, strength about 250 men. It operated in the vicinity of the Army of Tennessee while it lay at Dalton, and it was with Gen'l Pillow for about eight months. Transferred to Gen'l James H. Clanton's Brigade in the Dept. of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana, the 8th fought under that officer at Ten Islands, with some losses. It was soon after sent to west Florida where it made head against Union Gen'l Frederick Steele's column at Bluff Spring, losing a number. By February of 1865, the regiment had grown to about 600 men, but after skirmishing in Alabama and resisting Union Gen'l James H. Wilson's Corps, on 4 May 1865, there were but a few to surrender at Gainesville.

Field and staff officers: Col. Henry J. Livingston (Autauga); Lt. Col. Thomas L. Faulkner (Autauga); Major Sidney A. Moses (Russell); and Aujutant Charles E. Stewart (Dallas; transferred to line).

Livingston's Eighth Alabama Cavalry

This regiment was organized at Gadsden, Ala., and ordered to Blue Mountain in July, 1864. It operated in the vicinity of the army of Tennessee around Dalton, and was with General Pillow for several months, when it was transferred to Clanton's brigade. It fought at Ten Islands, was sent to west Florida, and fought Steele's column at Bluff Spring with heavy loss. It then fought Wilson's corps as he advanced, and finally surrendered at Gainesville. Capt. John Moore was killed at Ten Islands; Capt. J. F. Watson was killed near Pollard; Capt. T. J. Atkinson was wounded near Decatur and near Guntersville. This regiment was often called the Ninth, and is sometimes confused with Malone's Ninth, or Hatch's Eighth.

Extracts From Official War Records

No. 58--(651) General Clanton ordered to establish headquarters at Gadsden, Ala., and complete organization of the Eighth, February 1, 1864.

No. 75--(760) June 5, 1864, Col. Henry J. Livingston, with 200 to 250 men, ordered by General Pillow from Montevallo to Blue Mountain.

No. 78--(636) June 5, 1864, General Pillow ordered regiment, 200 to 250 strong, from Montevallo to Blue Mountain. (681) Ordered to Blue Mountain, July 1st. (791) In Clanton's brigade with General Adams, August 21st.

Nos. 93, 94--In Clanton's brigade with General Taylor, November and December, 1864.

No. 103--(302-308) Mentioned in front of the Union lines in operations March 25, April 9 and June 6, 1865, near Escambia river. (834) Six hundred strong, February 25th. (1047) Under Lieut.-Col. Thomas L. Faulkner, in Clanton's brigade with General Maury, March 10th.

No. 104--(118-226) Mentioned in Union reports, March and April, 1865.

Battles, Skirmishes and Engagements

Ten Islands (August 14, 1865

On July 14, 1864 a small group of brave Confederate Cavalry under General James H. Clanton approximately 300 strong were overwhelmed by a vastly superior Union Cavalry force under General L. H. Rousseau. The Confederates were attempting to protect the Janney Iron Works near Ohatchee and Crowe Iron Works near Alexandria. The superior Union force destroyed both Iron Works and proceeded to Talladega

Mobile (March 17 - April 12, 1865)

Wilson's Raid (Marth 22 - April 12, 1865)

©1995 J.C.T. Wellman