Alan J. Pitts
Re: 48th Illinois
Mon Apr 16 18:38:32 2001


It's an interesting topic. I'd always wanted to know more and really didn't want to finish my taxes until the last minute, so I started reading Friday night. Besides, I expected to hear from my mother-in-law, who usually offers me the opportunity to do her taxes [which includes rental property depreciation and other really interesting calculations] within 72 hours of the filing deadline. She didn't call, and I was able to immese myself in Federal after-action reports instead.

Usually we can learn a lot just by reading the Official Records. Your comment about arms used by the 48th Illinois fits the report: the brigade commander doesn't say everyone in that regiment was out of cartridges, just the ones using the Smith and Wesson. He does use that name for the weapon, however.

I don't believe the dismounted Texas cavalry units you mentioned were on the field. They belonged to Cleburne's Division and would've been miles away at the time of the fighting. The only Confederate divisions of the field were Hindman's (under John C. Brown), Clayton's, Walthall's and Loring's, the last appearing as the battle came to an end. Leaving Loring's men out of the total, I would guess that no more than 13,000 Confederates were involved. If you're interested, I can provide a list of units in those three divisions which will narrow the lost-flag candidate list a bit.