The 21st Alabama Infantry, Alabama's Confederate Foreign Legion // El Regimento 21 de Infanteria de Alabama, La Legion Confederada Extranjera de Alabama

The 21st Alabama Infantry was mostly composed of small businessmen and artisans from Mobile, Alabama and is considered Alabama’s “Foreign Legion” for the number of Spaniard’s (including Cuban’s), Italian’s, Frenchmen, German’s and Irish, in its’ ranks. It was mustered into service on October. 13, 1861, at Mobile, and remained at Camp Hall’s Mill and Fort Gaines until ordered to Fort Pillow, in March 1862. It remained there a few days then moved to Corinth, where it was brigaded under General Gladden.
The Regiment took part in the Battle of Shiloh, where it lost six color-bearers, in succession, and 200 killed and wounded out of about 650 engaged and was complimented for their actions, in the General Orders. When it returned to Corinth, the Regiment was reorganized, and extended their enlistment from one year to “for the war.” The 21st was at the Battle of Farmington, but its casualties were few, in the summer, the 21st was ordered to Mobile, Alabama and was on garrison duty at Fort Morgan, and at Oven and Choctow Bluffs.
It was at Pollard, Alabama a short time under General James Cantey, but was then ordered to the defenses of Mobile. Two companies were stationed at Fort Powell, where, with a loss of one killed, they withstood a two week bombardment from five gun-boats and six mortar-boats which attempted to force an entrance through Grant’s Pass. Six companies of the 21st were captured at Fort Gaines, on Dauphin Island, Alabama and two at Fort Morgan; but the two at Fort Powell blew it up and evacuated the post. The men captured at Fort Gaines were exchanged, the others were not. The remainder of the regiment were part of the Garrison of Spanish Fort, where it lost about 10 killed and 25 wounded.
The Twenty-first was surrendered at Cuba, in Sumter County, Alabama on May 6, 1865, about 250 strong. 
This information on the 21st Alabama is a modified version of the segment on the 21st Alabama that was first published in “Alabama: Her History, Resources, War Record and Public Men, 1540-1872” by Willis Brewer.

You can visit http://adf.ly/8ALVr and learn about the Cuba Libre Camp Project of the Admiral Semmes Camp 11, Sons of Confederate Veterans which is a project to identify all known Cuban Confederate Soldiers, as well as other Hispanics and Minorities who served in the Confederate Military.

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El Regimento 21 de Infanteria de Alabama estaba formado por hombres de pequeños negocios y artesanos de Mobile, Alabama y es considerado como La Legión Extranjera de Alabama debido al número de Españoles (incluyendo Cubanos), Italianos, Franceses, Alemanes e Irlandeses en sus filas. Fué organizado el 13 de Octubre de 1861, en Mobile y permaneció en Camp Hall´s Mill y Fort Gaines hasta que fué ordenado a Fort Pillow, en Marzo de 1862. Permaneció ahi unos pocos dias y fué trasladado a Corinth donde se convirtió en brigada bajo el General Gladden.
El Regimento participó en la batalla de Shiloh, en la cual perdió seis abanderados, sucesivamente y 200 muertos y heridos de casi 650 y fué felicitada por sus acciones, en las General Orders. Cuando volvió a Corinth, el Regimento fué reorganizado y extendió su enliste de un año a ‘’para la guerra.’’ El 21 estubo en la Batalla de Farmington, sus bajas fueron pocas, en el verano, fué ordenado a Mobile, Alabama y estubo de turno en la guarnición en Fort Morgan y en Oven y Choctow Bluffs.
Estubo en Pollard, Alabama, un corto tiempo, bajo el General James Cantey, pero entonces fué ordenado a defender Mobile. Dos compañias fueron estacionadas en Fort Powell, donde con la pérdida de sólo un muerto, soportaron durante dos semanas un bombardeo de cinco cañoreros y seis barcos de morteros los cuales atentaron forzar una entrada a travéz de Grant Pass. Seis compañias del 21 fueron capturadas en Fort Gaines, en Dauphin Island, Alabama y dos en Fort Morgan; pero las dos en Fort Powell , lo volaron y evacuaron el puesto. Los hombres capturados en Fort Gaines fueron canjeados, los otros no. El resto del regimento formó parte de la guarnición de Spanish Fort, donde perdió cerca de 10 muertos y 25 heridos.
El 21 se rindió en Cuba, en el Condado de Sumter, Alabama el 6 de mayo de 1865 con una fuerza de 250.
Esta información es una versión modificada de un artículo que fué publicado por primera vez en "Alabama: Her History, Resources, War Record and Public Men, 1549-1872" de Willis Brewer.