Hi Gerald, That was an interesting answer. I had a grgreatgrandfather and his four sons who had been in Forsyth Co (after Murray) all of whom had joined AL or GA units. When they survived the war they all wound up in AR and points west. This was my Stone line. (Wiley, Wesley, James, Francis A and William P) Am I reading your nuances correctly ? Were there so many union followers that the returning ex-confederates didn't feel at home anymore? Up to now I had opined that the move was merely due to the destruction caused by the invading army having left not much to come home to. I will check out the sources you have helpfully suggested ... and any more you may want to add. Thanks again for your contribution. ron in CA ps: as i recall, there was a Milton Co created by 1860, by virtue of which my Stones "moved" from Forsyth to Milton without ever loading a wagon... was that the same family as the unfortunate "commander" Milton?