Wilcox True Blues left home on this day 159 years ago to fight in the War Between the States

Capt. David W. Ramsey

Today – Feb. 12 – marks 159 years since one of the most historic events in Wilcox County history. It was on this day in 1861 that the Wilcox True Blues, the first Confederate company organized in Wilcox County, left home to fight in the War Between the States. Many of these young men would never return home.

The Wilcox True Blues were officially organized as a company of fighting men in early February 1861. Most of the young men who signed on with the company were from eastern portions of Wilcox County, but there were also a number from the Camden area. Captains of the unit included Dr. Isaiah G.W. Steadman of Oak Hill and David Wardlaw Ramsey.

Not long after the unit was formed, ladies of the community got together and made the unit a flag. The flag was made out of blue silk dress material donated by Adele Robbins of Canton Bend, and artist Samuel Tepper painted the flag. The flag said “Wilcox True Blues” on one side while the other side featured images of a rattlesnake, a cotton boll and a steamboat. Ella Thompson formally presented the flag to the company during a special ceremony prior to their departure for the war.

When the True Blues left Wilcox County, they first headed to Pensacola, Fla., where they became Co. B of the 1^st Alabama Infantry Regiment. For most of the next year, they were stationed at Fort Barrancas in Pensacola. Later, in March 1862, they were sent to pull duty at Island No. 10, a strategic point on the Mississippi River.

Union forces eventually laid siege to Island No. 10, and some members of the Wilcox True Blues were captured or died from disease during this long siege. Members of the regiment who escaped the siege later made their way to Port Hudson in Louisiana, only to suffer another siege at the hands of the Union army. A handful of Wilcox County soldiers survived that siege and went on to fight in such places as Sharpsburg, the Wilderness, Manassas, Atlanta and Knoxville.

The best source about the Wilcox True Blues is Ouida Starr Woodson’s outstanding 1989 book, “Men of Wilcox: They Wore the Gray.” Woodson’s book lists 22 members of the Wilcox True Blues that died in service, including a number who died in northern prison camps.

According to Woodson, Wilcox True Blues that died in the war included John Bragg, died in service; William Bailey, killed at Port Hudson; Jim Chappell, died in Pensacola in 1861; Joe Eddins, died in Meridian, Miss. in 1862; Thomas Gaillard, killed at Port Hudson; Allen Grimes, killed at Port Hudson; U.R. Hawthorne, died in Atlanta in 1864; Tom Holcomb, died in May 1861; Jack Herbert, died in September 1862; Henry Haddox, died in prison in Madison, Wisc.; Walter Handly, accidently shot at Santa Rosa Island in 1862; Harris Jones, died at New Madrid, Missouri in 1862; Hugh McKee, killed in Atlanta; Joe Melton, died in April 1861; William Newberry, died at New Madrid in 1862; Robert Ramsey, died at Camp Butler, Illinois in 1862; A.E. Shannon, killed in Atlanta; Tom Saunders, killed at Franklin, Tenn.; Ben Saunders, killed at Port Hudson in 1863; Ed Walthall, died in service; Manley Maxwell, died at Camp Chase in March 1865; and John Mezervey, killed in Atlanta in July 1864.

It’s important to remember that these men died in the service to the State of Alabama. Right or wrong, when their state called, they answered. It’s only fitting that they be remembered for paying the ultimate sacrifice.

In the end, I’d be very interested in hearing from anyone in the reading audience with more information about the Wilcox True Blues. If you have any additional information about their exploits and military engagements, send me an e-mail to let me know. I’m also especially interested in information about where those who died in service are buried, so please let me hear from you if you have information about their gravesites.