Hi Greg -

Thanks for your posting! Hmmmmmm.....another primary source I hope to check out someday......

The Provost Marshal's File on Stewart Co. Citizens microfilm at the TSA in Nashville had several of my Byrd and Brigham ancestors in it. The 5th Iowa Cavalry apparently was the Federal unit that went around "encouraging" the locals in the Ft. Henry/District No. 8 area to sign group loyalty oaths.

The loyalty oath signed by Riley Marion Byrd in (I think) October 1862 had a handwritten addendum stating something to the effect of "In addition, I further agree that I will not pass through the lines of the United States" (don't have doc in front of me right now).

Looks like the 5th Iowa occupation forces may have thought ggg-uncle Riley was some sort of security risk or something (partisan, guerrilla, etc.?).

Several years ago, the living historians at the Homeplace 1850 in LBL reenacted a scene that was very emotional for me to witness in person.

They had several CW reenactors dressed as Union soldiers sweep through the farm, round up all the men before separting them from the women and children (put them in the chicken coop with armed guard). The women were then interrogated by the officer in charge; then the men were released and interrogated one at a time to see if their stories all jived. One fellow in his slouch hat was detained and led away and everyone else was made to swear loyalty to the United States.

Sudden flash here: Stewart Co. TN ca. 1862 = Baghdad, Iraq ca. 2003-7......??????

:-)

y.v.o.s.,

Ken