Alan J. Pitts
None of the above....
Tue Apr 3 09:14:23 2001


Don't believe this man joined an Alabama unit.

Before Nathan B. Forrest was appointed brigadier general, he led a battalion composed of companies from Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and Texas. Co. "B" of this battalion had been recruited in Monroe and Wilcox Counties; the 2nd Lt. of this company was J. A. Anderson, age 27 when enlisted on Sept. 14, 1861.

The record does not show that he died in the spring of 1862. However, he submitted his resignation based on ill health on Apr. 18, 1862, saying he had been in poor health for the past four months and was "a burden to his company." He wrote from Camp Kelley near Corinth Miss. The surgeon's certificate does not state a specific malady and provides only a restatement of his generally feeble condition. Many times death claims were submitted in circumstances like these, after an ailing soldier left the service and went home.

Having looked at some of the other records Jim listed, this is easily the best in the ranch. I'd be proud to be able to claim an ancestor who served with Forrest in these early fights (Sacremento, Fort Donelson and Shiloh). By the way, he estimated the value of his horse when enlisted at $150 with saddle and other equipment worth $20.

• James A. Anderson — Jim Goodwin, Fri Apr 20 21:14