Alan Pitts
Death by disease
Tue Jan 2 22:34:36 2001


Soldiers new to service were particularly susceptible to camp diseases. There was a minor action in the Chattanooga area, but this took place at Bridgeport, Ala. five days later (Aug. 27, 1862) and involved the 32nd Alabama, not the 41st. I'm not intimately familiar with the 41st, but I believe it first came under fire on Dec. 31, 1862.

Papers filed in behalf of the widow (Jestin?) in Perry County appear with John M. Tucker's service record. They state that he "died" at Charleston, Tenn., Aug. 22, 1862. In late August most of the Confederate army was marching north to join Kirby Smith's forces in Kentucky, leaving units like the 32nd & 41st Ala. behind to guard vital communication lines. When records use the term "killed", it usually means killed in battle or died of wounds. "Died" usually refers to death by disease or natural causes. No hard rules; just my iterpretation of word useage at that time.

Incidentally, I noticed the name Mitchell mentioned in papers prepared for the widow's death claim. I'm supposed to be related to Mitchell and Tucker families in Perry County, but I'd have to look it up.

• Tucker — Faye (Hill) Adkins, Wed Jan 3 19:55
• 41st's first engagement — Hayes Lowe, Wed Jan 3 09:48