The Arkansas in the Civil War Message Board

Re: Arkansans in TX Artillery
In Response To: Arkansans in TX Artillery ()

Bob, as far as I can tell from the limited records on these men, their transfer to the "Lamar Artillery" (Capt. James Mickall Daniel's 9th Texas Field Battery) was considered permanent. The battery also picked up a number of Arkansas conscripts along the way during its time in Arkansas.

I'll bet the gravestones you saw are those ordered by modern descendents through the Veterans Administration. Those markers are becoming notorious for errors. Well-meaning persons are throwing markers in cemeteries based on poor research, faulty assumptions and just plain wishful thinking. The VA does not verify information sent in with an application for markers, other than to make sure that the name matches a name in a Civil War regiment. The VA is going on the assumption that the applicant has thoroughly researched the matter before submitting an application.

I'm sure that the persons who placed those markers only researched the soldiers' initial enlistment CSR, and failed to follow through with their subsequent service in Daniel's Battery.

I have found so many errors in VA markers that I now view them all as suspect unless I have personally transcribed the soldier's service record. It makes our Civil War research all that much more difficult when you can't rely on a source of information -- such as VA markers. It's an example of a program with noble intentions being subverted by sloppy research. The worst case I've heard of is that of an Alabama soldier whose marker stands over three different graves in three different States. Three different people apparently matched a name with a name in the CSR, made a leap of faith, and ordered a marker. Will the real Confederate veteran please stand up?

Messages In This Thread

Arkansans in TX Artillery
Re: Arkansans in TX Artillery
Re: Arkansans in TX Artillery