 Alabama was protected by Confederate troops against most major military operations, except the Battle of Mobile Bay (August 1864) and final conflicts of the War at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley (April 9, 1865), the last major battle of the Civil War.The state contributed about 120,000 men to the Confederate service, practically all the white population capable of bearing arms.Most were recruited locally and served with men they knew, which built esprit and strengthened ties to home.