I've also read Bynum's book and the newest soon to be a movie book about the Free State. My ancestor, James H. Ates, is mentioned in both as being executed as a deserter with his brother Thomas. I have his service record in front of me and I'm hoping someone could help me understand its meaning. It says Company G, 7 Battalion Mississippi Infantry. The first card is for May 14, 1862 to August 31, 1862. It says he enlisted on May 14, 1862 at Williamsburg by A.J. Leggett for a period of 3 years or the war. He is listed as present. The next card is for Sept. & Oct. 1862 saying absent, sent to hospital. Nov. and Dec. of 1862 say the same thing. Also, Jan. & Feb. 1863. Then June 30 to October 31, 1863 the card says absent without leave as do Nov. & Dec. 1863 and Jan. & Feb. 1864. I've never seen the muster roll for this group so I don't know if the cards match up with other lists.

The Jenkins/Stauffer book makes it sound like Jim was at Corinth with Newt Knight. So he was hospitalized there? The hanging took place in April of 1864 and I don't know any of the circumstances of Jim getting back to Jones/Covington County and his family. He did leave a wife, Nancy Matilda Patton Ates, and son, John Washington Ates. This Ates family lived for 3 generations with the Knights and the Cranfords who were all intermarried. Anyone have info on Company G's members?