Alan J. Pitts
Re: Narrowing down the possibilities.
Wed Jun 20 13:32:25 2001


You're aware that units serving under Wheeler's command that had "detachments" in Mississippi during the winter and spring of 1865. Consider also the large number of paroles at Gainesville, Meridian and other points of men whose units were assigned to the Army of Tennessee, Army of Northern Virginia, &c. Large numbers were away from their regular units during the last days of the Confederacy, and doubtless some took the initiative to 'join' local mounted units. More might have done so if they could secure a horse or a firearm: normally you had to bring both from home.

"North" Alabama is a undefinable term, but I'd have to be really adventurous to cross the Tennessee River in search of a Confederate unit to join. Lowe and Musgrove recruited anyone who could ride during the last year. And "north" may include different areas, depending on your point of reference. People in Mobile and Montgomery think of Birmingham as being in north Alabama; I think of it as an indefinite area beyond (and including parts of) the Tennessee Valley divide, from Cullman up to the Tennessee line.