GG-grandfather, William McGowan Stephens was born in Talladega Co.,
AL, in 1839 to Enoch Stephens and Mary Amanda Anderson. In 1861 he
married Martha Cobb in Calhoun County...and in the spring of 1862 he enlisted
in the Confederate Army under Captain R. Draper, Co. D, 51st AL Cavalry.
The 51st was organized at Oxford on 11 August, 1862 by John T. Morgan.
After a brief sojourn in northern Alabama, Morgan and his charges were
assigned to serve in General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee. In
mid-November, Morgan and the 51st were assigned to Joseph Wheeler and over
the next month and a half, they engaged Federal troops at Murfreesboro,
attacked Union supply trains bound for Nashville, and fought on the Confederate
left at Stones River. In the fight at Shelbyville nearly half the
regiment was killed or captured. William was captured first at LaVergne,
and escaped by lowering himself from a window on a rope thrown to him by
a lady on the ground. He returned to his command and was captured
a second time at Shelbyville. A document which I have a copy of states
that the account of WM Stephens was issued $250.00 "For one horse killed
in action at Shelbyville, Tenn. on the 27th June 1863...I certify on honor
that the horse of private Wm. M. Stephens of my Company was killed at Shelbyville,
Tenn on the 27th June 1863, in action, and that he was valued at the price
indicated as per appraisement on Muster Rolls." and it is signed...Wm
White, Capt Co. "D", 51st Ala. Cav. William was then sent to Ft.
Delaware, Ohio, where he refused to take the oath of allegiance and remained
two years in prison. While a prisoner, William made jewelry which
he sold to Union visitors, making $5 to $10 a day. At the end of
the war, William returned to Calhoun Co. to his wife and child whom he
had not seen for ever three years. In October of 1866 he and his
wife and 2 boys headed to Texas with wagon and team arriving 8 weeks later
at Ft. Sullivan,Texas.
Documentation:
William McGowan Stephens - Confederate Pension #12022
Personal Biography found in "History of Early Settlers of Lone Star
State" found in Texas State Archives
Please let me know if you have anyone else with ancestor in 51st AL
Cav.