I enjoyed your response. I have never been able to find out just exactly what happened near Wetumpka that day. In reply to Rick's question. The formal surrender did end "official " resistance in the state and yes it was a while before everyone found out but there were bands of returning troops, armed men passing through North Alabama on their way west, former guerrillas still on the prowl and and outlaw bands which included former Confederates and Federal deserters most notably members of the 1st Florida Cavalry U.S. Additionally, there were Federal Scouts "little expeditions" for some time to come. This is particularly true in the lower counties where deserters and outlaw bands had been a problem even before the war ended. In fact, the 1st Florida (formed and based out of Ft. Barrancas near Pensacola) included many deserters from Alabama who would desert again. Some of the expeditions in South Alabama and North West Florida we actually Federals looking for deserters from the 1st Florida who had linked up and were riding with ex-Confederates. I have wondered sometimes if the gentleman killed near Wetumpka was actually a deserter or was killed by deserters.