Jim Martin
Ya'll take a look at this! J.B. Lanford-43rd AL Inf.
Thu Jul 26 10:42:02 2001


Art Green a valuable contributor here at the ALCWMB and author of "Southerners at War : The 38th Alabama Infantry Volunteers" and his new book "Gracie's Pride - the 43rd Alabama Infantry Volunteers" was kind enough to send me this Compiled Service Record of my wife's ancestor:

Lanford, John B. Sgt/2nd Lt. Co. C. 43rd Alabama Inf. Vols. Enrolled March 8, 1862, at Clinton, Alabama. Mustered in on March 25, 1862, Regimental return for Dec. 1862 reports him detached as Provost Marshal at Cumberland Gap on December 10. Appears on a roll of extra duty men April 24-30 1864, as a teamster [?????] Drew clothing May 26, 1864. Special Order 1211 Part II, Sept. 13, 1864, signed in the trenches at Petersburg Va.. promotes Sgt. Lankford to 2nd Lt. Inspection report for January 25, 1865, at Petersburg reports him absent by order of General Lee. POW captured at Hatcher's Run, Va. on March 25, 1865. Committed to Old Capitol Prison, Washington, DC. on March 27, 1865. Sent to Fort Delaware, DE, on March 30, 1865. Signed Oath of Allegiance at Fort Delaware, June 11, 1865. Residence-Greene Co., Ala. Complexion-fair, eyes-blue, hair-dark, 5 foot 9 inches.

Any comments about "signed in the trenches at Petersburg Va." and/or "Inspection report for January 25, 1865, at Petersburg reports him absent by order of General Lee."

I'm just curious, is the statement that his promotion to 2nd Lt. was signed "in the trenches" significant? And, what could this "order of General Lee" mean?

Thanks,

Jim