Battle of Spotsylvania Court House order of battle: Confederate explained
The following Confederate States Army units and commanders fought in the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House (May 8–21, 1864) of the American Civil War. The Union order of battle is listed separately. Order of battle compiled from the army organization May 7–12, 1864,[1] army organization May 13–25, 1864,[2] the army organization during the Campaign[3] and the reports.[4] [5]
Abbreviations used
Military rank
Other
Gen Robert E. Lee
General Staff:
First Corps
See main article: First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. MG Richard H. Anderson[6]
Second Corps
See main article: Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. LTG Richard S. Ewell
General Staff:[11]
- Assistant Adjutant General: Ltc Alexander S. Pendleton
- Assistant Adjutant General: Maj Campbell Brown
- Assistant Inspector General: Col Abner Smead
- Engineer: Maj Benjamin H. Greene
- Aide de Camp: Lt Thomas T. Turner (w)
- Chief of Ordnance: Ltc William Allan
- Medical Director: Dr. Hunter H. McGuire
- Quartermasters: Maj John D. Rogers and Maj A. M. Garber
- Commissaries and subsistence: Maj Wells J. Hawks and Cpt J. J. Lock
Third Corps
See main article: Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. LTG Ambrose P. Hill[32]
MG Jubal A. Early[13]
Cavalry Corps
See main article: Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. MG J.E.B. Stuart[37] (mw)
Gen Robert E. Lee
General Staff:
First Corps
See main article: First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. MG Richard H. Anderson
Second Corps
See main article: Second Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. LTG Richard S. Ewell
General Staff:[11]
- Assistant Adjutant General: Ltc Alexander S. Pendleton
- Assistant Adjutant General: Maj Campbell Brown
- Assistant Inspector General: Col Abner Smead
- Engineer: Maj Benjamin H. Greene
- Chief of Ordnance: Ltc William Allan
- Medical Director: Dr. Hunter H. McGuire
- Quartermasters: Maj John D. Rogers and Maj A. M. Garber
- Commissaries and subsistence: Maj Wells J. Hawks and Cpt J. J. Lock
Third Corps
See main article: Third Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. MG Jubal A. Early[49]
LTG Ambrose P. Hill[61]
Cavalry Corps
See main article: Cavalry Corps, Army of Northern Virginia.
See also
References
- Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher. Civil War High Commands. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2001.
- Grimes, Bryan. Extracts of letters of Major General Bryan Grimes to his wife, Raleigh, North Carolina, Edwards, Broughton and Co., Steam Printers and Binders, 1883.
- Rhea, Gordon C. The Battle of the Wilderness May 5 - 6, 1864. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1994.
- Rhea, Gordon C. The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7 - 12, 1864. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1997.
- Rhea, Gordon C. To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13 - 25, 1864. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2000.
- Rhea, Gordon C. Cold Harbor: Grant and Lee, May 26 - June 3, 1864. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2002.
- Sibley, Jr., F. Ray, The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, 1996.
- U.S. War Department, The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1880 - 1901.
- Wittenberg, Eric J. Glory Enough For All: Sheridan's Second Raid and the Battle of Trevilian Station. Washington, DC: Brassey's, Inc, 2001.
Notes and References
- Gordon C. Rhea, The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864, The Order of Battle
- Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, The Order of Battle
- F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, pages 66-76
- Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 1, pages 1162–1168
- Multiple commander names indicate command succession of command during the battle or the campaign.
- [George Pickett|Pickett's]
- Brigadier General Kershaw was not assigned to permanent command of McLaws' old Division until June 4, 1864 (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 3, page 873). Kershaw was promoted to Major General on June 1, 1864 with date of rank from May 18, 1864 (see: John H. Eicher and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands, pages 331 and 789).
- Promoted to Brigadier General (Nominated June 1, 1864 with date of rank 6 May 1864), but was not formally assigned until June 27, 1864 (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XL, Part 2, page 694; John H. Eicher and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands, pages 142 and 792)
- Brigadier General Evander M. Law was under arrest
- Until the army went into the Richmond-Petersburg lines, Lamkin's Battery served as Sharpshooters (see: Pendleton's report; F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 285/Note 84)
- For composition of Ewell's staff see: Ewell's report
- [Robert F. Hoke|Hoke's]
- Assigned to command of the Third Corps on May 8, 1864 (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 2, page 974)
- Johnston's Brigade was transferred from Rodes' Division to Early's Division on May 8, 1864 (see: Ewell's report; Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 2, page 974; Official Records, Series I, Volume LI, Part 2, pages 902-903)
- Most of Johnson's Division was captured on May 12, 1864 (see: Gordon C. Rhea, The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864, page 324)
- Colonel Witcher with the 21st Virginia was detached from the Brigade on May 9, 1864 and Colonel Higginbotham assumed command. Colonel Higginbotham was killed on May 10, 1864 and Colonel Dungan assumed command. Colonel Witcher returned prior to his wounding on May 12, 1864, and reassumed command. After Colonel Witcher was wounded Colonel Dungan reassumed command. (see: F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 287/Note 139)
- After the Bloody Angle debacle the 1st and 3rd North Carolina were transferred from Steuart's Brigade to Ramseur's Brigade (see: F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 287/Note 133). The exact date when the transfer occurred is not certain.
- Hays' Brigade was transferred from Early's Division to Johnson's Division on May 8, 1864 and united for service with Stafford’s Brigade (see: Ewell's report; Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 2, page 974; Official Records, Series I, Volume LI, Part 2, page 902)
- Brigadier General Hays was wounded on May 9, 1864. There is some dispute who followed Colonel Monaghan in brigade command. After Colonel Monaghan was ill Colonel Williams assumed command. Colonel York commanded the consolidated Louisiana Brigade after the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. (see: F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 288/Note 150 and 151)
- F. Ray Sibley, Jr. in The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 288/Note 150 notes that after the consolidation Colonel York commanded Stafford’s old Brigade and Colonel William R. Peck of the 9th Louisiana commanded Hays' old Brigade. Gordon C. Rhea in The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7 - 12, 1864, The Order of Battle says: On May 12, 1864, Colonel Zebulon York commanded the portion of the brigade formerly under Stafford.
- The 43rd North Carolina was detached with Hoke's Brigade in the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia (see: F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 288/Note 156; Sketch of the 43rd Regiment, North Carolina troops, pages 11-15; Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXIII, pages 1202 and 1321; Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 3, pages 80 and 175; Official Records, Series I, Volume LI, Part 2, page 885). Gordon C. Rhea in The Battle of the Wilderness May 5–6, 1864, The Order of Battle and the Official Records lists the 43rd North Carolina in Daniel's Brigade.
- Assumed command of Daniel's Brigade on May 13, 1864 (see: Extracts of letters of Major General Bryan Grimes to his wife, page 53-54)
- Brigadier General Ramseur was wounded on May 12, 1864 but did not leave the field (see: Ewell's and Ramseur's report). Gordon C. Rhea in The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864, page 257, claims that Colonel Grimes assumed command after Brigadier General Ramseur was wounded.
- The 61st Alabama was assigned on February 12, 1864 in place of the 26th Alabama (see: Battle's report; Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXIII, pages 1176). The 26th Alabama was reported on May 12, 1864 at Macon, Georgia (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVIII, Part 4, page 704). Gordon C. Rhea in The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7 - 12, 1864, The Order of Battle and in To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13 - 25, 1864, lists the 26th Alabama also in this Brigade.
- Battle was wounded in the foot but did not relinquish the command (see: Battle's report)
- The 21st Georgia was detached with Hoke's Brigade (see: Ewell's report; Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXIII, pages 1202 and 1321; Official Records, Series I, Volume LI, Part 2, page 885). Only Company E was present (see: History of the 21st Georgia; Gordon C. Rhea, The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864, page 380/Note 20)
- Second in command. Colonel Carter are mentioned in the report from Brigadier General Long as commanding artillery Division but the composition is not stated (see: Long's report). At the Battle of the Wilderness Carter commanded Cutshaw's and Page's Battalion (see: Pendleton's and Long's report)
- Major Cutshaw and his second in command Major Robert M. Stribling were temporarily assigned to Hardaway's Battalion on May 13, 1864 (see: Pendleton's and Long's report; Itinerary of Hardaway's Light Artillery Battalion)
- Page's and Cutshaw's Battalions were consolidated on May 13, 1864 (see: Pendleton's and Long's report)
- The men of Carrington's Battery that were not captured on May 12, 1864 were assigned to A. W. Garber's Battery (see: F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 289/Note 189)
- Twelve of the 16 guns and most of the personnel in Page's Battalion were captured on May 12, 1864. The remaining men were consolidated into one company under Captain Charles W. Fry and assigned to Cutshaw's Battalion. Major Page was assigned temporarily to command Cutshaw's Battalion. (see: Pendleton's and Long's report; F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 289/Note 189)
- Relieved from duty on account of sickness on May 8, 1864 (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 2, page 974; Official Records, Series I, Volume LI, Part 2, page 902)
- According to Gordon C. Rhea in The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864 and To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864 Brigadier General Edward A. Perry was in command. Perry was wounded on May 6, 1864 and never rejoined his brigade (see: John H. Eicher and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands, page 426; F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 291/Note 220)
- Gordon C. Rhea don't lists the 1st Confederate Battalion in Davis' Brigade. The 1st Confederate Battalion joined Davis' Brigade together with the 26th Mississippi before the Battle of the Wilderness. (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXII, part 3, pages 672, 674 and 676; Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXIII, page 954; F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 291/Note 230; 2nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment, Chapter 5, Note 113)
- According to F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 292/Note 250 Colonel William McComb of the 14th Tennessee assumed command of Archer's Brigade after Brigadier General Walker was wounded on May 8, 1864
- Sick during much of the campaign, frequently led by Colonel William L. J. Lowrance
- Major General Stuart with Fitzhugh Lee's Division and Gordon's Brigade from William H. F. Lee's Division together with Johnston's and Griffin's Artillery Batteries and one section of Hart's Artillery Battery detached on May 9, 1864 against Sheridan's Raid (see: Pendleton's report; Gordon C. Rhea, The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864, pages 120-121 and 197). Stuart was mortally wounded at the Battle of Yellow Tavern on May 11, 1864 and died the following day (see: Gordon C. Rhea, The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864, page 209).
- Gordon C. Rhea in The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864, The Order of Battle and in To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, The Order of Battle and F. Ray Sibley, Jr. in The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 75 lists the 7th Georgia Cavalry in Young's Brigade, but the 7th Georgia Cavalry was not assigned until June 7, 1864 (see: Eric J. Wittenberg, Glory Enough For All, page 14)
- Gordon C. Rhea in The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864, The Order of Battle and F. Ray Sibley, Jr. in The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 75 lists the 20th Georgia Cavalry Battalion in Young's Brigade, but the 20th Georgia Cavalry Battalion was not ordered to join the Army of Northern Virginia until May 25, 1864 (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 3, pages 831-832). The 20th Georgia Cavalry Battalion arrived on May 28, 1864 (see: Gordon C. Rhea, Cold Harbor: Grant and Lee, May 26-June 3, 1864, page 67) and was assigned to Young's Brigade on June 7, 1864 (see: Eric J. Wittenberg, Glory Enough For All, page 14).
- Brigadier General Young was not present, Colonel Wright (Cobb's Legion) was in command (see: Eric J. Wittenberg, Glory Enough For All, page 14; Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 2, page 961)
- Arrived May 13, 1864 (see: F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 296/Note 367). Not mentioned by Gordon C. Rhea in The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864, The Order of Battle and To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, The Order of Battle.
- Brigadier General Wickham was in Richmond, Virginia on May 4, 1864, and was not back in command of his brigade until May 9, 1864 (see: F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 296/Note 358)
- Fought with Major General Stuart at the Battle of Yellow Tavern (see: Pendleton's report; F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 297/Note 386)
- Brigadier General Law returned approximately May 18, 1864 (see: Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, The Order of Battle)
- Pickett's Division (Kemper's, Hunton's, Barton's and Corse's Brigades) was detached in the Department of North Carolina and Southern Virginia. Kemper's and Corse's Brigades rejoined the Corps May 21, 1864. (see: Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13 - 25, 1864, The Order of Battle; F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 284/Note 54)
- Organisation of Pickett's Division taken from F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 67
- On May 21, 1864 Early's Division was reorganized to consist of Pegram's, Johnston's, and Hoke's Brigades (see: Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, The Order of Battle)
- Promoted to Major General (Nominated May 14, 1864 with date of rank 14 May 1864), and assigned to command of a Division composed of his own brigade and the remnants of Johnson's Division (Terry's Brigade and Hays' and Stafford’s Brigade consolidated) on May 21, 1864(see: Ewell's report; Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 3, pages 813-814; Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, paqe 231; John H. Eicher and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands, pages 260 and 789). According to F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 288/Note 152 Major General Gordon assumed command of Johnson's Division on May 22, 1864.
- Major General Early rejoined his division on May 21, 1864 (see: Ewell's report; Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 3, pages 813-814; Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, paqe 231)
- Transferred to Johnson's (Gordon's) Division on May 21, 1864 (see: Ewell's report; Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, paqe 231)
- Promoted to Brigadier General (Nominated May 19, 1864 with date of rank 19 May 1864), and assigned to permanent command of Gordon's Brigade on May 21, 1864 (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 3, pages 813-814; John H. Eicher and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands, pages 228 and 793)
- The 12th Georgia Artillery Battalion joined Gordon's Brigade on May 20, 1864 and served as infantry (see: F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 286/Note 113; 12th Battalion, Georgia Light Artillery)
- Temporarily attached to Early's Division from Johnson's Division on May 14, 1864 (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 2, page 1001). Reassigned to Johnson's (Gordon's) Division on May 21, 1864 (see: Ewell's report; Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, paqe 231).
- Organized on May 14, 1864 and temporarily attached to Early's Division from Johnson's Division (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 2, page 1001). Reassigned to Johnson's (Gordon's) Division on May 21, 1864 (see: Ewell's report; Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, paqe 231).
- Promoted to Brigadier General (Nominated May 19, 1864 with date of rank 19 May 1864), and assigned to command of the Brigade formed by uniting Steuart's, Jones' and the Stonewall Brigade on May 21, 1864 (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 3, pages 813-814; John H. Eicher and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands, pages 524-525 and 799)
- Hoke's Brigade rejoined Early's Division on May 21, 1864 (see: Ewell's report; Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, paqe 249). F. Ray Sibley, in The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 286/Note 115 claims that Hoke's Brigade rejoined Early's Division on May 22, 1864.
- Promoted to Brigadier General (Nominated May 28, 1864 with date of rank 19 May 1864) but was not assigned to permanent command of Daniel's Brigade until June 4, 1864 (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 3, page 873; John H. Eicher and David J. Eicher, Civil War High Commands, pages 269 and 794)
- Rejoined Daniel's Brigade on May 21, 1864 (see: Sketch of the 43rd Regiment, North Carolina troops, pages 11-15; Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, paqe 249). F. Ray Sibley, in The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 288/Note 156 claims that the 43rd North Carolina rejoined Daniel's Brigade on May 22, 1864.
- Only Company E was present (see: History of the 21st Georgia; Gordon C. Rhea, The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864, page 380/Note 20). The remainder of the regiment rejoined Doles' Brigade on May 21, 1864 (see: Ewell's Report).
- Returned to duty on May 21, 1864 (see: F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 289/Note 189)
- Returned to duty on May 21, 1864 (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 3, pages 813-814; Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, paqe 231)
- Lieutenant Colonel Hall commanded the Brigade on at least 17 May 1864, as Brigadier General Wright was ill (see: F. Ray Sibley, Jr., The Confederate Order of Battle, Volume 1, The Army of Northern Virginia, page 290/Note 209)
- After the death of Major General Stuart on May 12, 1864, the three Cavalry Divisions were ordered to report directly to Army Headquarters, on May 14, 1864 (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 2, page 1001)
- Elements from Butler's Brigade started arriving May 20, 1864 (see: Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, The Order of Battle)
- Detached part of time with Lomax's, Wickham's and Gordon's (of William H. F. Lee's Division) Brigades against Sheridan's Raid (see: Gordon C. Rhea, To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, pages 61, 195, 229 and 363)
- Not mentioned by Gordon C. Rhea in The Battles for Spotsylvania Court House and the Road to Yellow Tavern May 7–12, 1864, The Order of Battle and To the North Anna River: Grant and Lee, May 13–25, 1864, The Order of Battle.
- On May 14, 1864 the batteries and field officers of the Horse Artillery were ordered to be distributed for service with the three Cavalry Divisions, but it is not stated to which division the individual batteries were assigned (see: Official Records, Series I, Volume XXXVI, Part 2, page 1001)
