Most Alabama regiments recruited during the early months of 1861 formed in towns and cities. Young men working in the towns and cities had often come to Alabama from other states and even other countries. At one time I had the 1860 census ages, professions and nativities of most members of Barbour County companies. The three companies which joined the 1st Alabama Regiment are noteworthy as being from towns, those joining the 15th Alabama Regiment somewhat more rural.

It's important to recognize that Confederate companies raised in east central Alabama were raised in territory that up until 1836 belonged to Creek and Cherokee Indian nations. Take for example Russell County, one of the counties which contributed to the 15th Alabama Regiment. Almost every man older that twenty-four who lived in Russell County in 1860 would have come there from some other place.