He was promoted to colonel on October 28, 1861, and assumed command of what would become known as the "Alabama Brigade" under Maj. Gen. James Longstreet in the Army of Northern Virginia in May 1862.
Han blev forfremmet til oberst den 28. oktober 1861 og overtog kommandoen over det der blev kendt som "Alabama Brigaden" under generalmajor James Longstreet i Army of Northern Virginia i maj 1862.