It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of Glenda McWhirter Todd. She passed away on September 3, 2017 surrounded by her family. She was a historian, genealogist, and author who prided herself on being a descendant of Andrew Ferrier McWhirter of the 1st Alabama Cavalry, USV. Her work over the past two decades and her dedication to the 1st Alabama Cavalry has created a legacy that will last for years to come.

Her life's work has touched thousands of people through the years, and I am glad that I had the pleasure to work with her as long as I did. My hope is that her work will live on for years to come to educate and inspire a new generation.

Welcome to the home of the 1st Alabama Cavalry, United States Volunteers. This web site hopes to be a resource for information about the First because the Original 1st has a forgotten story to tell, and we want to tell it.

The roots of the unit lay with the Southern Unionists of North Alabama. Persecuted for their beliefs by the Confederacy, they lived and died true to the Union.

The History of the 1st is a diverse one. Rich, poor, black, white. Confederate deserters, Jacksonian Democrats - they all answered the call to be in the US Cavalry.

On this site, you can read Stories about battles the unit was in. Also, be sure to check out excerpts from The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies with information pertaining to the 1st Alabama.

We have started to collect the Stories, Pictures, and Tombstone locations of men who enlisted in the First. Most, contributed by descendants and friends of the 1st Alabama Cavalry, USV, tell of the triumphs, hardships, and campaigns of the troopers and give a face to these individuals. For information about the project, look at our Searchable Roster.

Today, there are men who reenact this historical unit. The Reconstituted First travel to events throughout the southeast to sit around camp all morning and enjoy each others company, fight the afternoon battle, play music all night long, and drink a lot of beer until you start all over again in the morning. You can view their Event Schedule, Uniform Standards, Unit Rules, and Unit Bylaws of the First. Information on some of the men in the unit is also on the site. If you read all that and still want to consider it, there is also information on how you can Reenact With Us. Try it once, and you'll be hooked.

We welcome any and all contributions to our collection. Feel free to Contact Us with anything that you have to contribute.