Also, the O.R. goes on to mention by another officer...

The Officer in charge of the Regiment-- after the regiments Colonel was wounded-- wrote this.

"The conduct of those who are reported as deserving censure is thought generally to merit unmeasured disapprobation. An explanation is forwarded in the case of Private J. Walker, of Company G. As he is very young, his conduct is thought to be somewhat excusable. He returned and served with the regiment during the balance of the time, while the others returned, most of them, to the camp at town, and refused to come back, although repeatedly ordered to do so.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

A. McNEILL,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Eighth Mississippi Regiment."

Since no other mention is made in his record afterwards I would have to believe McGee did return; M. V. Shows on the other hand, ended up fighting in a galvanized Union outfit made up of ex-Confederates.

The M.V. Shows is another family member.

______________________
David Upton

Also, the circumstances of why these men broke ranks needs mentioning. Their colonel had placed them in front of Union artillery, totally exposed to canister and expected them to just stand there and take it. The 8th Miss., I believe, took some of the heaviest casualties of any Confederate unit in this battle, not from any frontal assault or heroic deed...but from idiotic leadership that exposed them unnecessarily to heavy enemy fire for some length of time.