The 8th Alabama Infantry Regiment was the first CSA unit enlisted into service on June 10, 1861 and fought throughout the entire war. Major engagements were Battle of Seven Pines, Manassas and Harper's Ferry, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Salem Church, Cold Harbor Battle of Williamsburg, Second Battle of Bull Run, Antietam Fredericksburg ,Gettysburg and The Siege of Petersburg. The Regiment was made up of many Irish and German born men. In fact in Company I, 104 of the 109 men were Irish born. While Company H was made up of almost entirely German born. The 8th mustered 1377 men during its existence. It suffered approximately 300 killed in action or mortally wounded and 170 men who died of disease, for a total of approximately 470 fatalities. The Regiment surrendered with Lee at Appomattox Court House April 1865.
