Hi Robin,
A few months back I had posted wanting to know more about William L Harbin's involvement in Winston Rough and Readys. I was confused by what seemed like a combination of two different William Harbins. I have since dug deeper into the matter and have discovered that they are indeed two different men. William L Harbin that is enumerated in 1860 in Winston Co. (married to Drucilla...it's actually Samantha D. Jackson Harbin) is the man listed as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Winston Rough and Readys. He owned property in Marshall County and appears to have returned there to join the effort with the 9th Alabama Regiment Co. K.

The other William Harbin (I've seen his middle initial as either T. or N.) married Emily Nunnelly in Carroll Co. Georgia on March 6th, 1860. They are enumerated a few months later in 1860 in Calhoun Co. Alabama. That William then joined the 5th Alabama Calvary Co. C. They ended up residing in Winston County for the extent of their lives. The William L. Harbin family (Samantha Drucilla and 4 children) are found in Marshall Co in 1866 in the area (likely living on) the property that was purchased there by William L. in 1859.

William L Harbin, who is my great great grandfather, has an interesting war record with the AL 9th Co. K. He served from May 1861 to April 1864 (much of it as a teamster), when he deserted to the enemy. He took the oath of allegiance to the US and was sent to Philadelphia. I have had a hard time following him until 1891 where he remarries in Little River Co. Arkansas. His entire Harbin extended family moved to south western Arkansas about 1870.

In 1867, there is an enlistment record for the US Navy in Baltimore that documents a William L Harbin of appropriate age. He lists his birth location as Philadelphia. I can't find a "Yankee" William L Harbin anywhere. I figure he might have fudged his birthplace...who wants to be an Ex-Johnny Reb in 1867 trying to make a go of it in the US Navy.

Anyway, this confusion of my great great grandfather and the other William Harbin has been eating at me. I have copies of all of these records I mention (and more). If you would like me to send them to you please let me know. It's a very confusing family and I know you can't dig as deeply as I have into each and every individual. I thought maybe you might appreciate this specific information.

Amy H.