While going thru several old family letters I found a short letter dated 11/6/1895 from John W McGrath of Brookhaven. It was addressed to my g grand father R. J. Hughston of Wesson.

Dear Sir: I desire on behalf of the Stonewall Guards and myself to thank you for the courtesy shown to us when in your city last Monday. Signed J. W. McGrath, Capt. Co. H

R. J.'s father, Sanford V. Hughston, served in a Mississippi unit, as well as his uncle, Capt. George W. Bird of Co. K 11th Miss.

Can anyone share with me what the "Stonewall Guards" refers to - a veterans group perhaps - and any information on J. W. Mc Grath?

I also found a copy of a letter from S. V Hughston to his wife Mary Bird Hughston dated Sunday Aug. 7, 1864 from Enterprise, Miss. He referrs to the formation of a new Battalion, formed Friday last (perhaps Aug. 5th) with Maj. J. C. Davis elected Lt. Col. and G. W. Metts to serve as Major. S. V. Hughston was appointed Sargent Major by Col Davis. I'll transscribe the letter and post later.

Is there any information on this Battalion? He says the unit is expecting to "move up the road so as to be in stricking distance of Forest, provided another raid should come out."

Thanks, Ed Rea