2nd Battalion, Hilliard's Legion

The 2nd Battalion was organized with 6 companies at Montgomery on 25, June 1862. It was consolidated with the 4th Artillery Battalion and designated as the 59th Infantry Regiment at Charleston, TN 25 Nov 1863. At Chickamauga this Battalion was the first to plant its banner on the enemy's works. The colors were pierced by 83 bullets, and the standard-bearer, Robert Y. HIETT, though thrice wounded and the staff thrice shot away, carried his charge throughout the entire fight. Afterward he was made lieutenant. The 1st and 2nd Battalions suffered the heaviest loss, leaving more than half their number either dead or wounded on the field. Out of 239 men in the 2nd Battalion, 169 were killed or wounded.
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gataylor/Hilliard/al-60h.htm

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The brigade carried into action 2,003 and men, and in the space of an hour lost 698 killed and wounded. The Second Alabama Battalion, out of 239, lost 169 killed and wounded. In the action its color was pierced eighty-three places, and was afterward, by request, presented to His Excellency the President, who promoted the brave standard bearer (Robert Y. Hiett) for conspicuous courage. . . .

I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,

W. PRESTON,
Brig. General, Provisional Army, C. S.

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Lieutenant Colonel Bolling Hall, commanding Second Battalion, Alabama Legion. It was his battalion that first gained the hill and placed its colors on the enemy's works. Its colors bear marks of over eighty bullets. Its bearer, Robert Y. Hiett, though thrice wounded and the flag-staff thrice shot away, carried his charge throughout the entire fight. He deserves not only mention, but promotion. Lieutenant-Colonel Hall behaved most gallantly, receiving a severe wound in the thigh. . . .

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. GRACIE, JR.,
Brigadier-General.

OR V30, Pt2, pp. 416 & 422

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William H. Hiett, Private, Company C, 2nd Battalion, Hillard’s Legion,* enlisted May 12, 1862 at Goodwater by Capt. J. H. Dillard for 3 years, promoted, for Valor and Skill and the Battle of Chickamauga, 3rd Lieutenant, October 13, 1863 by order President Davis, a War Department Department memo, undated, refers to the OR, V.30, pt. 2, pp. 416 & 422 as: “Where name is incorrectly given and Robert Y. Hiett”, no further records

* The 2nd Battalion and Companies A, B. D. and D of the 4th Battalion Hillard’s Legion, were consolidated November 25, 1863 to form the 59th Regiment Alabama Infantry

M311: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Alabama