Alan, There were Alabama troops (militia or volunteers) at Pensacola as early as January 8, 1861, when a couple of men were fired on by the sergeant's guard at Fort Barrancas and there were Alabama companies at the seizure of the Pensacola Navy Yard a couple of days later. The correspondence between Colonel Chase and Lieutenant Slemmer also mentions Alabama troops in early and mid January. It is a fascinating area of research.
Dale