56th Alabama Cavalry

I have copies of the pay records for J.W. Henderson during the war, showing the unit's location at various paydays.

Thomas was born 20 March 1824 in Pendleton, Anderson Co. So. Car. The 1860 census shows him in District 1003 Paulding Co. Ga. which is near the Alabama line. He has 2 cards in his archival file. He enlisted at age 37 at Jasper, Walker Co. Ala for three years or the war on 6 Sept 1862 by Major W.A. Hewlett. This unit was consolidated with the 15th Battn: Ala Partisan Rangers on 8 June 1863 commanded by Major Boyles, and eventually became the 56th Regt. Ala. Partisan Regiment. There is no official regimental history for these units. However, some data is available. The 13th served in the Mississippi & East Louisiana Dept and was engaged at the battle of King's Creek in the Vicksburg Campaign under General Ruggles. The 56th operated in north Mississippi for some time under Gen. Ruggles. It was there brigaded under General Ferguson and sent to north Georgia. It served on the flank of the army during the Dalton-Atlanta campaign and saw arduous duty. The regiment moved with Gen Hood to Tennessee, then turned and harassed Sherman. It was in the trenches near Augusta, it moved into the Carolinas, and surrendered at Greensboro, about 200 strong. Many of the men came from Walker County, Ala. Thomas died 26 July 1917 in Paulding Co. Georgia. He married Mary Ann Fannin b. 25 Mar 1830 and d. 11 June 1914. They are buried at New Hope Church, Dallas, Paulding Co. Ga. He is the father-in-law of my distant cousin.

George was born 1834 in Covington Co. Miss. He originally joined Co G 7th Battalion Infantry. He has 8 cards in that file, however he never showed up, as he elected to cross into nearby Alabama and enlist the 56th Ala. Cavalry Partisan Rangers. Enlisted by Capt. McGill for the war. He has 9 cards in this unit. He was finally paid his $50 bonus 12 June 1863. Assignment: General Samuel W Ferguson's Brigade. Service: The Atlanta Campaign, Waynesboro, Savannah, Moved with Hood into Tenn. The Carolina Campaign, Rivers Bridge, Aiken, SC 11 Feb 1865, Bentonville. The roster of this unit shows 1678 men. He died in Smith Co. Miss in 2899 and is buried in the Old Zion Hill Cem. Mize, Smith County, Miss. He was the father-in-in Law of my 3rd cousin 3 x removed.

David was Born 8 March 1835 in Greene County Mississippi. He enlisted 1 Sept 1862 in 1st Regt Alabama Partisan Rangers, Boyle's Regiment. This became the 15th Battalion Ala. Partisan Rangers enlisted by Capt. McGill which then evolved into Co D 56 Alabama Calvary aka Mounted Infantry. His first fight was under Gen Ruggles at Kings Creek near Tupelo Miss. on 5 May 1863. Then sent to North Georgia under Gen. Ferguson and fought on the flanks during the Dalton - Atlanta Campaign. Moved with General Hood into Tennessee. Fought at Savannah & Augusta then into the Carolina Campaign. HIs unit surrender at Greensboro NC with about 200 men. He was the father-in-law of my 3rd cousin 3 x removed. He died 13 Sept 1913 in Waynesboro, Wayne Co. Miss. and is buried in the cemetery that carries his name in the aforesaid town and county.

No family notes have been added.

James was about 22 when he joined. He was in Co F. He has three of his brother in law's in this Company. He has 3 CMR's in his archival file. When the Army surrendered he was on Scouting duty. His Pension file states that he was operating with a Capt Bibbe of the 12 Mississippi Cavalry as Scouts and as such he just went home he was never paroled. At the time he was assigned to Capt Rice of Hewlett's Battalion. He is the husband of my 4th cousin 3 x removed Mary C Richards & son in law of Sarah Jane Thomas 1832 - 1880

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A. Franklin Thomas has four CMR cards in his archival file. He was 30 years old, born in South Carolina. He is my 3rd cousin 4x removed. His unit went thru several name changes as it was consolidated. 1st Regt. Alabama Partisan Rangers, Boyle's Regiment, and finally assigned as a Pvt. to Co F 56 [Consolidated] Alabama Cavalry. He enlisted on 6 Sept. 1862 in Jasper, Alabama by Major W.A Hewlett. In July of 1863 he is on detached duty to Buckner's Battery. Oct 1863 he is back in his Company. End of data/ He survived the unconstitutional assault on his home and hearth. Buried with Confederate Honors at Antioch Baptist Church, Ashridge, Winston County Alabama

Nathan has four cards in his archival file. He was 27 years old when he enlisted 6 Sept. 1862. He enlisted in Jasper County Ala. by W.A. Hewlett. He was on detached duty in Oct. 1863 by order of Major Wheeler. He was the son of David Thomas & Mary Neely of Chester Co. SC, my 3rd cousin 4 x removed.

Richard has 4 cards in his archival file. He enlisted on 6 Sept.1862 along with his brothers A. Franklin,& Nathan. He was on detached service at Pen------, Miss by order of Major Wheeler.

1828-1882

My g-g-grandfather. Died of pneumonia in Nov. 1863 at age 28.

James K. Polk Manasco Enl:at age 16 on 6 Jun 1861 in Co 'A' 22nd Al Inf Regt, discharged due to Illness Dec 1861. Enl:8 Jun 1862 in Co 'C' 13th Ala Cav Bn Partisan Rangers. elected Company 1st Sgt the same day. Assigned as Company 1st Sgt of Co 'G' 56th Al Cav Regt Partisan Rangers and promoted to 2nd Lt for 'Gallentry in Action' at Missionary Ridge, Ga. Surrendered with Regt in N.C. May 1865. Founding member of Maj Hutto camp of Confederate Veterans in Walker Co Al 1899.

William G. Staggs - Enl: 1862 and died or was killed during the war. He was a cousin by marriage to 2nd Lt Manasco also of Co 'G'

Richard was born 3 Sept 1834 in Armenia, Chester Co. SC. His family migrated to Alabama. He enlisted 6 Sept 1862 in Co H 56 Battn: Ala. Cavalry [ Boyle's ] at Jasper, Walker County Alabama. He also served in Co D 13th Battalion Alabama Partisan Rangers. Richard is my 3rd cousin 4 x removed and the son in law of Sarah Jane Thomas

G. R. Berry enlisted in Company E, 13th Alabama Partisan Rangers on April 7, 1863 at Fayette Courthouse, Alabama (during the Vicksburg Campaign and immediately saw action around the Tupelo, MS area. On 8Jun1863 By consolidation of five companies (B to F) of the 13th Battalion with the 15th Battalion Alabama Partisan Rangers on June 8, 1863, The 56th Regiment Alabama Partisan Rangers (Cavalry) was formed; Mr. Berry’s unit was designated 'I' Company. He performed extra duties as a teamster and according to some sources [albeit not yet (knowingly) verified in documentation] was also a Wagonmaster. His unit was surrendered with the Confederate Army near what is now Duke University, Durham, NC on April 26, 1865 by CSA Gerneral Joseph E. Johnston to Union General William T. Sherman; update:5Oct2008 Unit shown on tomb stone, Cauble Cemetery, Burnet County, Lake Victor, Texas is Company I, 56th Regiment Alabama Partisan Rangers, CSA [also see Company E; 13th Alabama Partisan Rangers

JA Bennett is my great grandfather. He is buried in the Bennett Cemetary just south of Double Springs, Alabama.

Archibald Richard Manasco, Pvt Enl: Apr 1862 in 13th Bn Al Cav Partisan Rangers. Later discharged due to Illness. Re-Enl: Apr 1963 in 13th Bn. Aug 1863 assigned to Co 'K' 56th Regt.Discharged again in 1864 for Lung Congestion. Re-Enlisted again in Co 'K' and surrendered with the Reg in May 1865.