Alan J. Pitts
Re: waiting on records...
Thu May 31 15:42:58 2001


Thanks for the kind words. I'm sure you're right; most people that open the manila packet and start to read the service records are probably puzzled because,

1) the handwriting is difficult to read,
2) some terms may be unfamiliar or confusing,
3) the records don't usually explain where a soldier was,
4) the records may be incomplete or missing.

I happen to have transcribed records of this battalion in search of men from Barbour County. If you'll pass along your ancestor's name, I'll check for it. I don't recall there being much about any member except enlistment data, so I fear the problem with these records falls in 4) as shown above. There are very few paroles at any one place, which leads me to believe that companies had been assigned to various post throughout the state at the time of the surrender. I'd be interested to know what sources you have on the history of this command.