Hello. I actually follow the 8th because Sgt. J. D Pearce of the 8th was my ancestor who was wounded at the Hornets' Nest
and survived. Pearce was shot "through and through" meaning the bullet passed on through his chest without hitting any vital organs.
His brother lived in a nearby community of Mifflin (how close I do not know) and took the wagon out and picked him up a day or
so after the battle. Sgt. Jerimah D. Pearce went to his dad's house there in Mifflin, Tennessee and recovered and on the 4th of July
sat out walking to Kentucky to catch up with his men. (This was found in his widow's application for a pension after his death in 1900.)
J. D. Pearce's great grandson, Warren Pearce who lives in Colorado, is considered an authority on the 8th.
I know for a fact that two books on the 8th were in progress at one time. The books had different slants and I know
that one book was including photos. I have spoken with both authors in the past. I also know that there is a
re-inactors group in Michigan that calls itself, the 8th Arkansas because of what hard fighters the men of the 8th were.
I would like to think in the future that at least one of the books will surface.
Wouldn't it be great if the two authors could agree to publish their books to compliment each other?
So, yes, I would believe that there be so few men left out of the 8th that it did make a difference. However, it would appear
to me that the biggest reason is that the authors have simply not gone forward.