Official Records - 1st Alabama Cavalry, USV

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.

Series 1, vol 44, Part 1 (Savannah)

page 622-623

SPECIAL ORDERS,

HDQRS. SEVENTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

Numbers 298.

Station 5 1/2, GA., December 4, 1864.

I. The Forty-first Illinois Battalion, Major McFadden commanding, is hereby temporarily detached from the Fourth Division, and assigned to duty at these headquarters as provost guard, and will forthwith report accordingly.

II. Captain John Berry, Thirty-second Illinois Volunteers, commanding provost guard, is hereby relieve from duty at these headquarters, and will at once report with his command to his division commander. III. This command will move forward about ten miles to-morrow, as follows:

1. Major General J. A. Mower, commanding First, Division, will have the advance, and will move forward on the Savannah road at 8 a. m.

2. Brigadier General Giles A. Smith, commanding Fourth Division, will be prepared to move at 9 a. m., and will follow the First Division.

3. Brigadier General M. D. Leggett, commanding Third Division, will be prepared to move at 10 o'clock, and will follow the Fourth Division.

4. The pontoon train, Lieutenant Colonel J. M. Ruck commanding, will follow the advance brigade of the First Division.

5. The trains of the headquarters Military Division of the Mississippi these headquarters will move as heretofore.

6. Each division will detach a brigade to destroy two miles of railroad - the Third Division commencing at a point opposite their camp and working east, the Fourteenth Division destroying the next two miles east, the First Division the next two miles east of the Fourth Division.

IV. Lieutenant Colonel D. T. Kirby, picket officer Seventeenth Army Corps, will proceed, at 8. 30 o'clock to-morrow morning, with the First Alabama Cavalry on the left flank of the corps, covering it. On reaching the Little Ogeechee River he will cross it at some bridge or ford above the main road. If on crossing the river the enemy are retreating he will attack them whenever practicable, according to the instructions already received by him.

By command of Major General F. P. Blair:

C. CADLE, Jr.,

Assistant Adjutant-General.