The 5th Alabama Infantry Regiment could only muster 40-50 men for the Battle of Sharpsburg. The rest of the Regiment was killed, wounded or captured, three days earlier at the Battle of Boonsboro. These 40 or 50 men were in the mid section of "Bloody Lane". The Regimental loss was 6 killed, 16 wounded, and 10 captured (5 of which were counted amongst the wounded). It is likely that Patrick (listed as Pat in a number of records) was sick, but could possibly been on detached duty.
On October 30, 1862, he had been transferred to the 3rd Division General Hospital at Camp Winder, Richmond, Virginia. On November 17, 1862, he received a 30 day furlough to go home and recover. He was back with the Regiment in January 1863, and signed a "Clothing Receipt" by mark. He seems to have been present for the rest of 1863. In late 1863 or early 1864, he was sick in General Hospital No. 9 in Richmond, Virginia, receiving another 30 day furlough on January 28, 1864, after re-enlisting "for the war" on January 23, 1864. He returned to duty and appears to have been present with the Regiment for the balance of 1864. On February 24, 1865, he was admitted to General Hospital No. 9, Richmond, Virginia, yet again, but returned to duty on March 4, 1865, joining the Regiment in the trenches around Petersburg, Virginia.
He was captured, along with the majority of the 5th Alabama Infantry Regiment at the Battle of Petersburg, on April 2, 1865. He arrived at City Point, Virginia, on April 4, 1865, as a Prisoner of War, and was forwarded to Point Lookout, Maryland. He took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States on June 15, 1865, and was released. At the time of his release, he was descibed as being of fair complexion, with brown hair, blue eyes, with a height of 5'5". His place of residence was listed as Monroe County, Alabama.
He would have been quite an interesting man to talk to. Somehow, he made it through the war without being killed or wounded. And was only captured once, a week before the war was over! In the 5th Alabama Infantry Regiment that was very rare indeed! They participated in most of the battles in the Eastern Theatre including: Farr's Crossroad (Manassas), Seven Pines, Mechanicsville, 1st Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill, Boonsboro, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Campaign, Mine Run Campaign, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, Bethesda Church, 2nd Cold Harbor, Lynchburg Campaign, Monocacy, 3rd Winchester, Fisher Hill, Cedar Creek, and Petersburg. He would have seen it all!!!!!!