"SOUTHERN ACCOUNT OF THE CAPTURE OF HUNTSVILLE" (from the Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel, April 13, 1862) posted in the Louisville, Kentucky "Daily Democrat" April 29, 1862.
"Sergeant E.E. Pritchard, of the Washington Artillery, arrived here last evening, and gives us some further particulars of the occupation of Huntsville. He was on his way to join his company at Corinth, but was turned back at Stevenson by the intelligence that the Federals had possession of Huntsville, and had cut off the railroad communication with Corinth. Mr. P informs us that he had a conversation with an engineer who succeeded in running the ""gauntlet,"" and who gave him the following statement.: He said that early of Friday morning, he came up the road from Decatur; that on arriving at Huntsville, he found the telegraph operator in waiting, who threw his apparatus on board and informed him that the Federalists were just coming into the town. The engineer then started his train, but before getting through the town he was fired upon by the Federal force and a shot was also fired at the train, but did not succeed in hitting it. His brother, also an engineer, was just behind him, with a long train of empty cars, which was returning from carrying troops to Corinth. The Federal Infantry fired a volley into the cab of the engine, and it was supposed killed the engineer, as the train was stopped and had not been heard from at Stevenson. The Federal force could not be ascertained, but consisted of cavalry, infantry and one piece of artillery. They have possession of the city, and have effectually cut off all communication by the route. The 5th Georgia regiment had passed over the road but a short time previous, and were all safely beyond Huntsville, except some few who were detailed to bring on baggage. Passengers by the Georgia Railroad last night report that Huntsville has been occupied by eleven thousand Federal troops. Two locomotives and trains of cars, loaded with troops going to reinforce Beauregard, were captured. All communication, except by way of Mobile, is cut off, if the report is true. "
Captain Peter Simonson in the first article was the same officer who ordered the fatal artillery shell against Confederate General Polk in Georgia in 1864. Simonson would himself be killed a few weeks later. My research indicates while both articles are in error the Southern account tends to be more accurate. Research has found that at least three Captains of the 5th Georgia were taken as prisoners at Huntsville, Alabama on April 11, 1862. It did not make any sense to me why only Captains were captured with the 5th Georgia Infantry and now it does, they were waiting on their baggage for their various companies. Among those captured with the 5th Georgia were: Captain Council B. Wooten, Company E 5th Georgia Infantry and Captain John H. Hull Company C 5th Georgia Infantry and Captain James M. Cole Company B 5th Georgia Infantry. 87 members of Company K 9th Louisiana Infantry were captured that day, 88 if you included Major Kavanaugh. I can't speak for the officers but the enlisted appeared to be taken to the 3rd floor of the Charleston and Memphis depot floor and held for up to two weeks. According to local history of Huntsville, Alabama some of their names can still be found written on the walls. The normal transfer would have been to Nashville, Tennessee and then to Louisville, Kentucky. They are mentioned at being at Louisville, Kentucky and arrived at Camp Chase on May 1, 1862. 7 would die at the Camp Chase prison. So far I have not run across anything that would indicate any members of Company K 9th Louisiana Infantry asking for or being paroled at Camp Chase. They of course would be paroled according to the Dix-Hill Cartel in August of 1862 and sent to Vicksburg, Mississippi and waited in Jackson, Mississippi before being exchanged on November 10, 1862. Lieutenant Kidd of Company K 9th Louisiana did make his escape along with some other members of the Company from Huntsville, Alabama. His accounts differ from anywhere from 8 to 15 soldiers. He marched them to the 9th Louisiana Infantry in Virginia and arrived there in April of 1862 and reported to his Colonel. I know who some of the men were who escaped with Lt. Kidd but I'm not finished with that research as of yet. According to the first article only 3 cavalrymen went into the town of Huntsville and reported capturing over 100 sleeping Confederates. It does not sound correct if you're going to capture a town the size of Huntsville that you would only send in 3 soldiers even if it was a surprise. At any rate it appears that Lt. Kidd was thinking quickly and escaped capture with some of the men from Company K 9th Louisiana. Lt. Kidd ask to resign after he reported to the 9th Louisiana in Virginia. By reading his papers it is my opinion that he was upset with the capture of his company. He was elected as Lt. by popular vote and you can almost see his sorrow in his letter. He was allowed to resign but also with special thanks from the Colonel for a job well done.