Thank you all for your help and suggestions.

To stray from Fort Pillow for a short time, I know it was not easy for bodies to be moved over long distances back then. Robert E. Cole, 22nd Mississippi, son of Richard Cole, died at Camp Beauregard, Kentucky in December 1861. Richard Cole collected his son's pay and took his son's body home to Black Hawk, Mississippi for burial.

Now, back to Fort Pillow.........The night of 12 April 1864, after the battle, Forrest and Chalmers both camped east of Fort Pillow in different camps, having sent some of their troops on towards Brownsville. Some of the soldiers were sent back into the Fort on the 13th to burn the Fort and get the remaining artillery and ammunition. We know that one Confederate soldier was buried on the morning of the 13th, we just don't know where. The afternoon of the 13th, Forrest and Chalmers were in Brownsville, Tennessee. We are not sure if Chalmers stayed overnight but we know that Forrest did. Chalmers and Forrest got orders to go south from Brownsville to Mississippi. Forrest refused and went on to Jackson, but Chalmers did go south. We do know that the wounded were carried east after the battle. West from Fort Pillow would have been the Mississippi River. I have researched the NARA records for the wounded and killed from Fort Pillow. The wounded soldiers records state "wounded, left in West Tennessee" for the most part. There is one that states "wounded, left in Brownsville". Wiley M. Reed, the commanding officer for the 5th Mississippi, was taken to Jackson, Tennessee and died there on 1 May 1864. Nathan Bedford Forrest was in Jackson until that time and left Jackson on 2 May 1864. Taking all this information into account, we know they definitely headed east.

The author, Steve Cole, of the website "Dixie Boys" is the Tennessee cousin of which I have spoken. After a website friend directed me to "Dixie Boys" last fall, I contacted Steve and the other cousin from Texas and the project began. Steve was not aware until that time that he had any kin in Texas. He has been in touch with some of the SCV. Steve is an amazing military researcher.

Our search continues for Richard Cole's burial site. I feel that we will find him. I do appreciate all of you helping. Every bit of input is help, whether it is large or small.

Nancy