The Confederate army and Alabama Militia are two different organizations. Evidently Hiram Harrison Higgins belonged to both, but at different times. He raised a company in Limestone County called the "Confederate Bricks." The name is significant because Higgins built many structures in Athens and elsewheres as an architect.

Organized for state service on Aug 1, 1861, the company entered Confederate service on Oct 5, 1861, Memphis, Tenn. At that time it became Co "A", Walker's 40th Tennessee Regt. The regiment included one company from Florida, one from Kentucky, four from Arkansas and four from Alabama. Capt Higgins and his regiment was captured at Island Ten, April 8, 1862, Higgins being sent to Johnson's Island, Ohio, and imprisoned there. He was released on exchange at Vicksburg, Oct 20, 1862. At some point during this period he was promoted to Major of the 40th Tennessee Regiment, but left service when the regiment disbanded shortly after release from prison. Alabama companies later became part of the 54th Alabama Regiment.

The Alabama state archives should have militia records that show when Higgins was a Major General of Alabama Militia. Since the militia structure was disbanded by state government in August 1863, it must have been before the war.