THE FIFTY SIXTH ALABAMA CAVALRY
The Fifty-sixth regiment of mounted infantry, known as
Partisan Rangers, was organized in the summer of 1863, by the
union of Hewlett's and Boyles' battalions of cavalry, both of
which had done good service in the army of the Gulf as scouts
and pickets, and had fought gallantly at King's Creek and
other points in Mississippi.
Attached to Ferguson's brigade, the regiment was sent to north
Georgia and did arduous duty in the many battles of the
Dalton-Atlanta campaign. After going with Hood into
Tennessee, it turned and harassed Sherman on his march.
It was in the trenches at Savannah and operated near Augusta,
moved into the Carolinas and finally surrendered at
Greensboro, 200 strong.
Colonel Boyles was at one time in command of Ferguson's
brigade, and Lieut.-Col. William Martin took command of the
regiment. Capt. Wm. McGill was killed near Decatur, and Capt.
Thomas D. Hall was wounded near Kingston.
Source: Confederate Military History, vol. VIII, p. 285
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Samuel Overstreet
&
R N. Overstreet
Enlisted as Privates
"D" Co. AL 56th P Rangers Cavalry
Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:
- Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records
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Samuel Overstreet, Private, Company D, 1st [56th] Regiment Alabama Partisan Rangers, enlisted September 1, 1862 in Wayne County, Alabama by Capt. McGill for the war, surrendered at Citronella, Alabama May 4, 1865, paroled May 30, at Mobile, description: 6', age 45, florid complexion, dark eyes, grey hair, resident of Wayne County, Miss. [sic]
The 56th Regiment Alabama Partisan Rangers was formed June, 1863 by the consolidation of five companies (H to F) of the 13th Battalion Alabama Partisan Rangers with the 15th Battalion Alabama Partisan Rangers. Company L which was formerly Company A, 13th Battalion Partisan Rangers, subsequently (1st) Company H, 22nd (Barteau's) Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, was added sometime during the later part of 1863.
The regiment was also known as the 1st and as Boyles' Regiment Alabama Partisan Rangers and as the 56th and as Boyles' Regiment Alabama Cavalry.
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R. N. Overstreet, Private, Company D, among detached men surrendered at Citronella, Ala. May 4, 1865 and paroled at Meridian, Miss., May 17, no other records
Note: He must have enlisted sometime after the last surviving company muster roll which was dated December 25, 1863.
M311: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Alabama
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56th Alabama Cavalry, Partisan Rangers
The 56th Alabama Cavalry Regiment, Partisan Rangers, was made up of two battalions (13th and 15th), commanded by Majors William Boyles (15th Battalion) and William A. Hewlett (13th Battalion)and which had been in service several months. The men were recruited from the counties of Autauga, Butler, Mobile, Montgomery, and Walker. Thus organized in the summer of 1863, the 56th operated in north Mississippi for some time under Gen'l Daniel Ruggles. It was there brigaded under Gen'l Samuel W. Ferguson and sent to north Georgia. It served on the flank of the army during the Dalton-Atlanta campaign, and it saw arduous duty. The regiment moved with Gen'l John Bell Hood to the Tennessee, then it turned and harassed Union Gen'l William T. Sherman. It was in the trenches of Savannah and operated near Augusta. It moved into the Carolinas and was surrendered at Greensboro, 26 April 1865, about 150 strong.
Field and staff officers: Col. William Boyles (Mobile); Lt. Cols. William A. Hewlett (Walker; resigned, 16 Feb 1864); Arthur Warren Debardelaben (Autauga; resigned, 13 June 1864); and William F. Martin (Mobile); Majors Arthur Warren Debardelaben (promoted); William F. Martin (promoted); Thomas D. Hall (Augauga); and Adjutant Augustine I. Sykes; and David H. Boyles.
http://history-sites.com/%7Ekjones/alcav.html#56th-Cav
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