Hope H. Posey

POSEY, H.H (1838 ~ 1900). Confederate veteran Hope H. Posey was born in Georgia in 1838. He was a farmer prior to enlisting in the Civil War.

Posey enlisted March 15, 1862 and according to military records he served less than a year before being discharged for a disability. He was a private in Company L of the 15th Alabama Infantry, Trimble's Brigade. According to his military records he was 5'8", had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light hair.

The following is an excerpt from a history of the 15th Alabama Infantry describing unit history from when Posey served. The excerpt was taken from http://www.geocities.com/the15thalabama/History.html.

"The men enlisted for 3 years to qualify for free uniforms and equipment. The government refused equipment for less than 3-year commitments. 15th Alabama's first weapons were 1840's Mississippi rifles and even older George Law smoothbore muskets converted to percussion rifles. They later acquired British Enfield and New England -made Springfield rifles.

The 15th Alabama was ordered to Pageland Field, Va. for drill. At Pageland, the regiment suffered its first 150 losses to its worst enemy- the measles. Camp life in 1861/1862 was congested and filthy. Disease and sickness plagued the new soldiers. But Colonels seeking political favor refused to move the sick to hospitals: the more men they were able to display, the better their chances for promotion to General. To escape the measles, the 15th was ordered to Camp Toombes, Va. in September 1861.

At Camp Toombes, the 15th Alabama was combined with the 16th Mississippi, 21st North Carolina, and the 21st Georgia as Trimble's Brigade of Ewell's Division. Trimble's Brigade moved north to Manassas, Va. near Washington to spend its first Winter Quarters. The following April, Ewell's Division was assigned to T. 'Stonewall' Jackson's Corps. The 15th was baptized to hostile fire as part of Jackson's famous Shenandoah Valley Campaign, capturing 10,000 prisoners, 52 cannons, 105,000 rifles, and 600 beef- defeating three federal armies."

During the time Posey was enlisted he could have participated in eleven battles including 2nd Bull Run and Fredericksburg.

Posey moved to Texas in 1866 and resided in Madison County where he was a farmer. He was a widower when he entered the Confederate Men's Home on May 21, 1897. His listed correspondent was Mrs. Laura Schafe in Fredonia, Texas.

Posey died January 6, 1900 and was buried in the Texas State Cemetery shortly after.

Information taken from Compiled Military Records, Confederate Home Roster, geocities.com, and tarleton.edu.