Located between the sanctuary and the old fellowship hall of Sandy Level Baptist Church in Blytewood lies the grave stone of

"DRUMMER"
William W. Macon
CO. H.
Ala. Inf. C.S.A.

(1845-1909) *BSB

While likely born in Calhoun County, Alabama, William voluteered for the confederate army and served at Fort Morgan, Mobile Alabama, and later at Fort Pillow, Tennessee where the regiment disbanded. It is possible he joined up with the 42nd Alabama, and preceeded into very difficult lossing battles.

William survived the war, and settled in the Blythewood area.

*BSB - The Blythewood Scrapbook p59, 2004 contained a half page on the Drummer Boy and his descendents.

Below is a bit about the times..

In following Company H around the war, it helps to follow the following nicknames assigned to the regiment and company:

2nd Alabama Infantry : "Magnolia Regiment", "Maury's Regiment"
Company H : "Pop Walker Rifles"

42nd Alabama Infantry : "Portis's (John W.) Regiment"

Duncan McQuagge wrote the following letter to his father on April 10, 1862:

Fort Pillow, Tennessee April 10, 1862

Dear Father, I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well and hope this to finds you and all the family in saying(?) the same kind blessing(?).
You might write soon and let me hear from you. I have written and written and have never have received any answer, and if you knew how much pleasure it might afford me to hear that you were all well.

I have nothing interesting to write only about the fight that is going on at Corinth. Eight (it?) as been continue(?) for the last five days and still likely to continue for days, although our side has been victorious. They have taken 12 generals and 6,000 men of the Yankees. We have lost 4 generals beside how may men I have not heard, but there has been a great slaughter on both sides. Expect to have a fight at this place every minute in the day. Our gun boat came down the (Mississippi River) from Island No. 10 and reported that the Yankees have taken the place. There were 5,000 of our men on the island that have not been heard of. All suppose them to be taken prisoners.

This is all that I have worth writing at present. I might close by giving my love to you all. I remain your affectionate son until death. (orig)

(The Magnolia Regiment): Organized in Fort Morgan in April 1861 and disbanded at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, in May 1862. Most of the men went into the 1st Confederate Battalion thereafter. Battle honors: none.

Fort Pillow -- Magnolia Regiment Disbanded .. "There the regiment disbanded and most of the men entered service with Co. A of the 42nd Alabama Infantry"

The Forty-Second Alabama Infantry

"The Forty-second Alabama, organized at Columbus, Miss., in May, 1862, was principally a reorganization of other regiments whose one year's service was completed. Lieutenant-Colonel Lanier, Maj. W. C. Fergus and Capt. George W. Foster were all from the Second Alabama, so that the regiment was immediately effective for the hard work before it. In September 1862 it was with the Thirty-seventh Alabama and Seventh Mississippi regiments in Maury's division of the army of the West. The next month it went into the siege of Corinth with 700 men, losing, killed and wounded, 348; of these, 11 were officers.

The winter of 1862-63 was spent in Mississippi and the brigade was reorganized. It formed part of the garrison at Vicksburg, where it lost heavily and was captured. From the parole camp at Demopolis, it went to join the army of Tennessee, and served in the battle of Lookout Mountain, November 24, 1863, and at Missionary Ridge, November 25th, where it fought with its usual gallantry. Wintering around Dalton, it took part in the defense of that place, February 28, 1864, and in the campaign from there to Atlanta. March 19th, Gen. Alpheus Baker took command of the brigade, which now consisted of the Thirty-seventh, Fortieth, Forty-second and Fifty-fourth Alabama. It fought at Resaca, May 14th and 15th; at New Hope church, May 25th; at Atlanta, July 25th to 28th. The losses on the 28th were very heavy. It was sent to Spanish Fort in August, where it formed a part of the garrison until January, when it was returned to the army of Tennessee. Its subsequent history is identical with that of the rest of the brigade. After April 1st, it was consolidated with the Thirty-seventh and Fifty-fourth, Capt. William D. McNeill, lieutenant-colonel, and surrendered with the army of Tennessee. Capts. George W. Foster and Allen B. Knox were killed, and Capt. John W. Haley mortally wounded, at Corinth. Capt. Robert Best died in the service. Capt. Robert K. Wills was killed at Atlanta, and Lieut. Capers W. Bodie at Vicksburg.
The field officers were Col. John W. Portis, who was wounded at Corinth; Col. T. C. Lanier, wounded at Corinth and at New Hope, and Maj. W. C. Fergus. Capt. W. D. McNeill was made lieutenant-colonel after" consolidation.

If not likely that our little drummer boy was at Ft. Morgan in 1864, but this is a great story none the less.

"The Defense of Fort Morgan" Aug 5, 1864 - by Brig. Gen. Richard L. Page CSA