Nancy Mahala Simmons was the wife of Jesse Russell. I have copies of his civil war file but do not have a copy of the pension file. I also have a copy of an oath but not sure what it means, signed in Louisville KY, dated December 1864, in part it says 'I will protect & defend the constitution of the United States, and the Union of the states thereunder'. Does this mean he deserted the confederacy and joined the union? Maybe you can help me with this? Mahala Simmons Russell family lived in LA, may explain why Jesse moved there. He was actually born in Lawrence County MS but Pike is next door. He seemed to travel between Pike, Lawrence, & Louisiana.
Thanks