Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-08-18
Locksvood's Folly. N . ~ue 5sh 1884

F I'm the Richmond Wing.
Col Anderson, VIII" su'rsnstsr'a Fort Fai"'s-son
tniug e. 2isf Ai"asina
We have taken soma trOu lie 10 ascertain The follow
inc with reference to the an,ec, dents OF Col Auoesoo
whose cowardy surren6er of Fort Gaines has made
every true labamian tel sad if be bad lost his
dearest frierd-and the 2lst Alabama ment whose
fair tame he T. sadly tarnlshf d.
Anderson was at,poind from civil life officer in
the regular army of the I. under " the our reg1-
ment DILL" in 1851. When the war commanced in 81
he was immed.a, ely appointed Adjutant GeLerai 90
Iladdeo's aaf where he remained Until elected Colonel
of the 2lst Alabama. This occurred after the oatl.
of Shiloh, upon the resignatlcn CT Gel CraWtrd ara
the quent resignation of his successor Col ger
SOL Col Anderson has never be- IN q hight, hence
MS pluck bad never been tried by the only aoe Or
DEAL Shells minnie balls and bayonets at close quar-
ters If not native of Alabama, we have reason
to believe be has resided in the neighborhood of Nc
bile, informant says, the better portion OF his life
He is quite young man, being considerably under
forty.
The 2lst Alabama, of which he was commander at
the time of tie surrender had made proud record III
this war before lis officers elected Anderson Colone
over as brave Captains ever drew blade IN detence
| of home and county.
At "Bocdy Shiloh it lost onethrd Of its bumber !;
and was specially compmented for its gaantry by the
commanding General One of its companies (k sue
cessuIv defended Fort Powell last spring against Far
ragut's entire e ct when it made approach by
Grants Pass In appreciation of their conspicuous
gallantry General Maury gave the entire company a
ten days Through
The 2lst is in part, learn duplicate of the vet
erau 81 Alabama regiment, and was formed in this
manner: Such of the Gulf City Guards, Mobile HI =
f:s Washington Light Infantry, Mobile Cadets, and
other Old volunteer organ zaons as did not leave with
their companies when they cane to Virginia. soon
afterwards raised companies having the same na me
AS the old or2aDiz ltoU with No added by way OF
distinction. These composed mainly of the young
er brothers aud relatives of the original companies
The officers OF these companies have been from the first
and still are, inormed~" OF the best blood OF
Mobile"
1t is pass1g strange therefore, that their protest
against the cowardIy proceedings Of their Colonel had
not amounted to open mutDy-seeing, as they have
done the serious blow thereby aimed at their beaut-
ful and beloved city,
Since the above in type, we have received com
muncaon from detailed me mber Of the 2lst OF which
we give BY way of correction, summary. From this
it will be seen that we msiuormed as to some
few of the statements made above COL Anderson, our
informant aays was Major CT the 18Th Alabama after
the Battle of Shioh-in which he participated as stat
officer and acquitted himself with credit He was at
forwards made Colonel of tbs 2lst. lie thinks that
there was only company of the 2lst at Fort GsineE
at the time of its surrender, portion being at Fort
Powell, under Lieut.. Col. Williams, another detach-
ment at Fort Morgan, while the remainder were guard
ing the salt works.
| Col. Anderson is native and resident of Alabama