Randy Howald,
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This message board's great friend, James E. Williams of Milam Co TX, speaks the truth. ..I submit that his data is more trustworthy than the etched tombstone, since tombstone artists go by data presented to them. ..Since I study the Civil War era of 34 counties of North Texas, I appreciate James E. Williams' web page and refer to it many times a day, every day. ..Please glance at James E. Williams' web page:
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http://members.tripod.com/jamesewilliams/texasconfederate.html
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The L M. Etheridge in question is listed as:
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L M. Etheridge, R.T.P. Allen’s TX 17th Infantry, Co D. per American Civil War Research Database
http://www.civilwardata.com/active/hdsquery.dll?SoldierHistory?C&482098
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Lewis Ethridge, Etheridge, Co ?G (notice ? G Company vs. I. Company). per National Park Service database
http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.cfm
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R.T.P. Allen’s 17th Infantry. "Several" deserted R.T.P. Allen’s regiment and were found in the Confederate Brush Battalion -- my balliwick -- since they hid in several of the 34 counties that I study, because R.T.P. Allen was such a poor/mean commander.
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Sir, as a blue-haired researcher, I've seen tens, if not scores, of mistakes on tombstones, bibles, etc. One must look at the trend of history, not any single entry.
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I'd bet my first born that James E. Williams' is correct.
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Patti, prochette@Juno.com
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