[235] habit. Among the leading soldiers who joined were, Colonel Pickens, Dr. George Whitfield, Captain Davis of Company D, and others.
A Brigade Association was also formed with General C. A. Battle as president, Maj. R. H. Powell, of the 3rd Alabama, as vice president, and myself as secretary, and we were favored with addresses by a number of distinguished ministers. Among them I recall Rev. Dr. L. Rosser, Methodist; Rev. Dr. J. L. Burrows, a Baptist, who after the battle of Seven Pines, spent the night going over the battlefield and relieving the necessities of many wounded Confederate soldiers, notably of the 12th Alabama. Rev. W. C. Powell, a chaplain of the 14th North Carolina, often visited the regiment, and was always welcome. The regiment and brigade were certainly blessed in the presence and visits of these good and faithful men of God. They were men of ability and did noble service in their holy calling.
I give the following brief sketch of Dr. Andrews. Rev. Mark S. Andrews was born February 23, 1826, in Oglethorpe county, Ga., and died May 14, 1898, in Mobile, Ala. His parents moved to Alabama and settled near Oak Bowery. He completed his college course at Oxford, Ga. In 1832 he became a member of the Alabama Conference, M. E. Church, South. He taught in Tuskegee Female College in its infancy with Dr. A. A. Lipscomb and Dr. G. W. F. Price. In 1861, as a member of the 12th Alabama regiment in Captain Ligon's company, F, he went to Virginia. At this time disease ravaged and destroyed its soldiers, and he counted his life as nothing when ministering to the sick and dying by day and night. A choice sense of humor gave him pleasant variety in social life. He was a man of integrity, gentle and steadfast, who overcame enemies and attached friends.
January 29, 1863—A committee consisting of Captains Fischer, Hewlett and Ross were appointed to invite the officers of Battle's brigade to assemble at the headquarters of the 12th Alabama and take into consideration the propriety of memorializing Congress on the subject of regimental and company re-organization, tomorrow at 9 o'clock. There is a great desire on the part of many to enjoy the benefits of re-organization. Many privates hope to be elected officers and many officers expect to secure promotions.
January 30.—At 9 o'clock the line officers of the 6th Alabama met those of the 12th Alabama at our camp and appointed a committee
