photo durben jd

~~ 6^th Alabama Infantry Regiment ~~
Photo Album

DURDEN FAMILY

DURDEN, James M. (Private, Company G, 6^th Alabama Volunteer Infantry Regiment) James was a 23 year old single farmer when he enlisted. He was born in Autauga County, Alabama in 1838. His parents were Elias D. Durden, (b.1800, a farmer born in Virginia) and Lucinda Durden (b. 1816, in North Carolina). He had 3 brothers and 4 sisters, Franklin (b.1836), Nelson (b. 1843), John (b. 1846), and Susan, (b.1849), Rebecca b,1858, Mary b. 1848, and Frances b, 1859. James enlisted on September 1, 1861 at Sangster's Cross Roads Virginia. He was wounded September 14, 1862 at the battle at Sharpsburg, (South Mountain), in Maryland. He was shot through the right leg. He was furloughed at Independence, Alabama and put on the list of absent enlisted men, November 1862. From military records, James was present at camp for payroll call on September 1, 1864 at Bunker Hill, Virginia, and at Camp Rodes, Virginia on February 1, 1865. After the war, James resumed farming in Autauga County, and was married in 1867 to Elvira R Golson, b.1839. Her parents were Charles W. Golson, a farmer, b.1804 in So. Carolina, d. Before 1870, and Eliza (_____) Golson, b.1806 in So. Carolina. Elvira had a sister, Julia, b.1833, a brother Charles, b.1842, and a brother Arney, b. Abt.1839. James and Elvira had four children: John Louis Durden, b. Jan 21,1869, d. March 2, 1949 (my wife's grandfather), Eliza L. Durden, b.1872, Mary E. Durden, b.1877, and James F. Durden, b. Abt. 1878. Beginning in 1889, James made application to the State of Alabama for relief, "by solders Maimed of Disabled during the Late War, under Act approved February 28, 1889". In his last application, in 1896, he listed his occupation as Farming and his post office address as Milton, Autauga County, Alabama. The dates of death for James and his wife Elvira, are not known. Their graves are located in Old Harmony Cemetery near Independence, Autauga County, Alabama. Contributed by Donald and Margaret Rathgeber

Photo by Barry N. Wyatt

DURDEN, William N. - 18 yr. old single farmer from Independence, Alabama, son of Elias D. and Lucinda Durden. Enlisted Sept. 1, 1861 at Sangsters'; Cross Roads Virginia. for 1 yr. at the rank of Private. William is Present at the Siege of Yorktown, and Seven Pines May 31, 1862. He is listed as Absent Sick at Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill, Boonsboro, and Sharpsburg. He was actually wounded at South Mountain (Boonsboro) according to his compiled records. William returned to duty at Fredericksburg on Dec. 14, 1862, but is listed Absent again the following spring on May 2 & 3 of 1863 at Chancellorsville. He is Present at Martinsburg, Va. on June 13, 1863. William is shown Wounded at Gettysburg July 1, 1863 and listed Absent Captured thereafter. Company notes: Wounded and captured July 1, 1863 at Gettysburg. William was honorably discharged in April 1865 and as a result of his wounds, he suffered rheumatism and other effects for the rest of his life. William is the younger brother of James M. Durden of this Company. Upon returning home from the war, William N. Durden married Polly Ann Wyatt, daughter of Daniel N. & Elizabeth Cherry Wyatt of Independence. Polly's father, Daniel N. Wyatt died of disease while in service with the 3rd Alabama Battalion Reserves in 1864. William & Polly had three known children. Their son, Wilbur Thomas married Mary "Mollie" Overstreet who is the daughter of Wesley A. Overstreet of Capt. T. L. Faulkner's Company "The Autauga Guards". Wesley Overstreet is a younger brother of Richard & William Overstreet of the Autauga Rifles. William & Polly's daughter, Leila married Quinton Clay Meroney. They had another son named Claude. William & Polly Durden are buried in the Billingsley Cemetery in Billingsley, Autauga County, AL. Contributed by Bill Durden & Barry N. Wyatt

On Feb. 5, 2003, James D. Allen, creator of this website passed away
There is no doubt that he would want the work on the
6th Alabama Infantry to go on.
With that in mind, this site is dedicated to him.
We miss you, Jimmy.

Home ~ Unit History/ Maps ~ Company Rosters ~ Battles/Timeline ~ Pictures ~
~ Bibliography ~ Officers ~ Brigades ~ Letters / Documents ~ Uniforms ~
Alabama Regiments - Links and Contactsc

Last Updated: Friday, April 25, 2003