My great grandfather, George W. Long, was a private in the 17 Mississippi Infantry, Company I, the Pettus Rifles. He was discharged in Sept. 1862 at age 35 at Leesburg, apparently due to illness and not being subject to the Conscription Act. He is buried in DeSoto County, MS. He lived to the age of 84, and died in 1911.

The unit apparently saw some of the most significant battles of the Civil War including Balls Bluff and Gettysburg. Company I played a key reinforcing role at Balls Bluff. George may have had a brother, perhaps two, as there are two other Longs in the unit. Clem (my grandfather's middle name was Clement), who died before reaching the unit, and Martin Long, who was killed in action, may have been related.