The War Between the States proved a dividing line in American history, one which is still being crossed, drawn and re-crossed even today. Whereas many would seek to view that era through a modern lens, those who fought for their state, and the South, take a different view.
One such different view might have been found in Private S.K. McCall of Monroe County, Alabama. McCall was born in Bainbridge, Georgia on May 29, 1841. He ended up in Monroe County where he joined Company D, of the 3rd Alabama Cavalry Regiment on November 28, 1861. This regiment was comprised of Monroe County men and boys who had been part of Murphy’s Battalion at Shiloh and had been formed at Tupelo in June 1862.
According to McCall’s headstone, he was “A faithful soldier who gladly answered his country’s call. Always proud to have been General Johnston’s aide in the Battle of Shiloh.”
General Albert Sidney Johnston was considered the best general, on either side, in the western area of the war. He was wounded after personally leading a cavalry charge during the fateful battle at the confluence of the borders of Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee along the Tennessee River. A simple tourniquet would have saved his life, but Johnston had sent his personal physician to care for Union prisoners taken in the battle.
The regiment accompanied the army into Kentucky and was engaged in daily conflicts with the enemy, particularly at Bramlet's Station and Perryville. It fell back with the army, and was on constant and arduous duty during the remainder of the war, protecting its communications, guarding its rear and flanks, and often raiding upon the enemy's trains and outposts. It was part of the brigade composed of the First, Third, Fourth, Ninth, Twelfth, and Fifty-first Alabama cavalry, command first by Gen. Allen of Montgomery, subsequently by Gen. Hagan of Mobile.
The Third was engaged at Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Chicamauga, Kingston, Knoxville, Mossy Creek, Strawberry Plains. Losing continuously in casualties, and suffering severely during Longstreet's winter campaign. In the Dalton-Atlanta campaign it performed arduous service, fighting with severe loss at Decatur, and helping to capture Stoneman's column. In front of Sherman, the regiment shrouded Hood's movements, then harassed the former on his march, participating in the fights near Macon, at Winchester, Aiken, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill. Reduced by its losses to a skeleton, the regiment surrendered in North Carolina.
Pension records also suggest McCall fought with Co. B of 2nd Alabama Cavalry in R.W. Smith’s Company and that he served eight months until discharged in 1862. He thereafter re-enlisted as a Private on February 1, 1863 at Perdue Hill, Alabama and served until the war’s end.
According to the Alabama Archives, “This regiment was organized at Montgomery, May 1, 1862. Proceeding to west Florida, it operated there about ten months, and was engaged in several skirmishes. Ordered to north Mississippi, and placed under Gen. Ruggles, the regiment lost 8 men in a skirmish at Mud creek.
It was then placed in Ferguson's brigade, and operated in the Tennessee valley, taking part in numerous skirmishes. The Second fought Grierson at Okalona, with a loss of about 70 men killed and wounded, then harassed Sherman on his march to and from Mississippi. Joining Gen. Wheeler, the Second performed arduous duty on the flank of the army in the Dalton-Atlanta campaign, and lost a number of men in the battle of July 22 at Atlanta. Having accompanied Hood to Rome, the Second then fell on Sherman's rear, and skirmished almost daily with some loss. The regiment tracked Sherman to Greenesboro, N. C., then escorted President Davis to Georgia. At Forsyth, in that State, the regiment laid down its arms, 450 strong.”
It is most likely the case that McCall re-enlisted into the 3rd after having served in the 2nd and having previously served at Shiloh in Murphy’s Battalion and served in the 3rd until the end of war. Regardless, Pvt. Solomon K. McCall, saw his share of combat and met many historical figures during his time in the Confederate Army.
In later years, The Monroe Journal found S.K. McCall visiting with friends at Weatherford on Thursday October 2, 1902. His address in 1907 is listed as Mt. Pleasant and is buried in the area.
Solomon K. McCall passed on February 15, 1917. Today, the Marxist Left and certain politicians seek to weaponize race and drive divisions between neighbors. People who have been friends and neighbors for decades are now demonized and called racists by the Left and those who refuse to acquiesce are thereafter tarred and feathered as well.
If good people fail to stand up to this insanity, we will shortly find ourselves in a world that will make author George Orwell’s 1984 novel pale in comparison to our world.
Quote of the week: “Even if you are a minority of one it does not make you wrong.” ― George Orwell from his novel 1984.
Available now: The Butler Street Chronicles; Selected histories of the communities surrounding Butler Street and will include information on settlers at Steadham, Pond Fork, Sizemore, Sardine, Butler Street, Hollinger and other communities along this route. Pick up your copy for $15. Copies can be purchased from the author or at Amazon.com or Lulu.com.
Vote for and support the Canoe Landmark District referendum on the 2020 ballot. Call for more details.
Shadows and Dust Volume III: Legacies is available for purchase in the amount of $30.00+$5.00 shipping and handling to PO Box 579 Atmore, AL 36502 or visit Lulu Publishing.com; Amazon.com, Barnes and Nobles.com OR at the Monroe County Heritage Museum in Monroeville, Alabama.
