Alabama 56th Cavalry Partisan Rangers

HISTORICAL NOTES:
The 56th Alabama Cavalry Regiment, Partisan Rangers, was made up of two battalions (13th and 15th), commanded by Majors William Boyles (15th Battalion) and William A. Hewlett (13th Battalion)and which had been in service several months. The men were recruited from the counties of Autauga, Butler, le, Montgomery, and Walker. Thus organized in the summer of 1863, the 56th operated in north Mississippi for some time under Gen'l Daniel Ruggles. It was there brigaded under General Samuel W. Ferguson and sent to north Georgia. It served on the flank of the army during the Dalton-Atlanta campaign, and it saw arduous duty. The regiment moved with Gen'l John Bell Hood to the Tennessee, then it turned and harassed Union Gen'l William T. Sherman. It was in the trenches of Savannah and operated near Augusta. It moved into the Carolinas and was surrendered at Greensboro, 26 April 1865, about 150 strong. OFFICERS:
Colonel:
William Boyles (le)
Lieutenant Colonels
William A. Hewlett (Walker; resigned, 16 Feb 1864)
Arthur Warren Debardelaben (Autauga; resigned, 13 June 1864)
William F. Martin (le)
Majors:
Arthur Warren Debardelaben (promoted)
William F. Martin (promoted)
Thomas D. Hall (Augauga)
Adjutant:
Augustine I. Sykes
David H. Boyles
ASSIGNMENTS:

General Samuel W. Ferguson's Brigade

SERVICE:

The Atlanta Campaign

Waynesboro

Savannah

The Carolinas Campaign

River's Bridge
Aiken - Feb. 11, 1865
Bentonville
ROSTER:
The roster of this regiment contains the names of 1678 men.

The companies of the Alabama 56th Cavalry were recruited from the counties of Autauga, Butler, le, Montgomery, and Walker.
SOURCE:
Brewer, William Brief Historical Sketches of Military Organizations Raised in Alabama During the Civil War
BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Rigdon, John C. A Guide to Alabama Civil War Research, Cartersville, GA: Eastern Digital Resources, 2011.