The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-29
ALABAMA IN THE WAR
MOVEMENT TO RECORD HISTORY
 OF ORGANIZATIONS.

OF ORGANIZATIONS. Members of Regiments and BattaIions
 h Confederate Army gre Asked
 te Write Sketch fer
 Publication.
 A series of sketches or histories of Alabama regiments, independent com mands, will be compiled and published under the auspices of the State De- pertinent of Archives and History. These histories will be written by some member of the command who was familiar with its organization and who participated in the battles in which the command was engaged. The first of these historical sketches was The History of the 1st Alabama Infan- try" written by Professor E. r. Me- Worries which ran as serial in The Advertiser and which has been pub lished for the Department of Archives and History. This undertaking of the department Is not to be confused with the com plication of tho rosters df the various commands The histories are to be personal narratives of the commands. It is said by Director Thomas M Owen that there were 22o regiments and independent commands that should be subjects of a historical sketch. These organizations embrace regi- ments. battalions and batteries. In circular Director owen says Alabama nobly responded to every call at all stages of the un- equal struggle and her soldiers from Manassas to Appomatox have left an honorable record of noble endeavor and heroic achievement. From 1861 to 1865 there were raised in the State and mustered Into her own or the ser- vice of the Confederate government over two hundred regiments. battal- ions and batteries, and severa, compa- nies of home guards and militia re- serves"
 The circular is accompanied by ten- tative lists of the commands of which sketches are desired. The circular contains an urgent invitation to some member of the command in question to prepare historical sketches of the commands. pointing out that those who do so add to the glory of their war record, the record of historian of the deeds of his comrades. It con- tains also full directions for the prep arations of the sketches and givese e list of publications and records which will help the writer in his work. Prospective authors are assured that they will be given every assistance by the Department Of Archives and His tory and its cooperation in the work.
 In speaking of the preparation of the sketches the circular says:
 "So far histories of about one-tenth of the commands named have been secured. and arrangements have been made for the preparation of few others.
 Tt is the earnest wish of the de- | n a rfrxaa al nf uLaf "A prepared by surviving participants If possible. There are many reasons why this is the desirable course. A sketch prepared by participant will be more vivid and realistic, the details, the individual incidents, and the deeds of personal daring will be more sure ly presented, and the nice adjustment and relation of events will be more carefully preserved.
 ''The sketches are intended to pre- sent a full narrative of the entire op- erations of the particular command from organization to surrender, and where practicable in accordance with the following outline: CD Brief ac- count of the movements leading to or- ganization, (2) Brief accounts of the formation of the several companies, and of their officers, and the formation of the regiment, battalion, or battery: (0 First field and stan, with brief l sketches; (D Equipment. incidents of first service, and esprit de corps: (5) Brief accounts of the several battles in which engaged. sufficient to show generally the part played by the par | ticular command therein, with special mention of deeds of daring, bravery, | losses. etc.; (6) Prison life and inct- dents; CD Recruiting; (S) Camp in- cidents: (s) Subsistence: (10) Relig- l ious tone; CID Members enlisted and casualties; (12) Surrender and return home.
 Rolls are not to be given in the | narrative, but if survivors have origi- | nal records, they are earnestly urged to forward them to the department for use in the compilation of rosters being made by the Secretary of War, hereto | fore referred to-"
 l l, These circulars will be sent out over | the State to Confederate soldiers whom 1t is thought may be interested in the work.
 l Director owen has secured the prom ise of a number of soldiers to under take the histories of their commands l Histories which have been prom | ised MT. owen are as follows: l The sth Alabama Infantry by Colon- | el Hilary A. Herbert of Washington, l who commanded the regiment. | The 18th Alabama Infantry by Col
 onel James Aikens, of Gadsden, it's | commander.
 The 12th Alabama by Treasurer R.
 P. Parks of Georgia, who was a mem-
 Der of that command, going out from Macon County.
 The goth Alabama Infantry by N. H. Gewin, of Akron. Ala.
 The 10th Alabama by Judge s. H.
 Sprott of Livingston.
 Dents Battery of Artillery by it's
 commander Captain s. H. Dent of Eu- | faula.
 Kolb's Battery of Artillery by Cap-
 tain R. F. Kolb, of Montgomery its commander.
 l Lumsden's Battery, of Artillery by Dr. George Little of Tuscaloosa.
 The 22nd Alabama by Christopher