Does anyone have a personal letter from any man serving in one of the Talbot Co CSA companies? This newspaper item caught my attention. Also I learned that the Southern Rifles was a name changed from the Scott Rifles. These sorts of clippings adds details to the lives of these men. I wonder if they ever held reunions after the war. Many Courthouses did have a special event when they put up the confederate markers and often took photos of the living veterans at that time. We have more information about these companies online http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ga/talbot/military.html The Upson Pilot June 1, 1861 TO THE LADIES OF TALBOTTON. Gosport Navy Yard Portmouth VA May 16, 1861 We the committee appointed by the "Southern Rifles" to return the thanks of the company to you for two packages of eatables received by Express, do hereby declare: 1st That the members of said corps indicative of their high appreciation of your kindness, tender you sincere thanks, with the pledge that with gratitude they will ever be mindful of the hospitalities of which they have been the recipients. 2nd That should the conflict that now threatens engage us, we will never prove recreant to the trust imposed in us, nor show ourselves unworthy the confidence of ladies so noble and patriotic as those of which Talbotton has the honor to boast. Jas. O.A. Sparks, Chap; Ossian D. Gorman, James H. Weeks (Committee) Note: Ossian was captured at Gettysburg (exchanged 1864) James Hampton Weeks - Killed at Wilderness, Va May 5, 1864 "Rev. J.O.A. Sparks was a student at Emory University when he joined the company in 1861 and served until 1862 when he returned to Talbotton. He became a member of the Georgia Methodist Conference and was a prominent and influential member of that body for a njmber of years." There Was A Land Virginia Crilley