Thanks Rick...and Doris Continuing at least the important part of this thesis by Alleen Williams Carter. I believe I left off with the following paragraph: Jim Wilkins, John Neely and John Cooke were nephews of Hamilton and lived in the Hamilton home. Wilkins and Neely were sons of Hamilton's deceased sister, Polly Wilkins; Cooke, the son of Hamilton deceased sister Elizabeth Cooke. My notes: I know several on this list have sorted out the Wilkins connection as well as the Neely, however other than a John Cook listed in the home of John Bell Hamilton...I haven't a clue how he is related. John's sister Elizabeth Hamilton was born March 30, 1803 and d. Apr 22, 1830 Maruy co. TN She is buried in the Raleigh Dodson Cemetery, Maury Co. TN. She married Beverly Dodson Sep 28, 1818. John's sister Mary "Polly" Ann Hamilton m. John A. Wilkins. She was b. Sep 11, 1809 and died Aug 28, 1847. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------continuing... Dr. D. H. Dungan, husband of Hamilton's sister Lillie, served as Surgeon for he First Tennessee Cavalry The Dungans' daughter, Nannie (Nancy Jane) married O. (Oliver) Perry McGee, wh owned a plantation at Dixie Station, Alabama (my note: Perry Co. AL, now Chilton Co. AL) Hamilton spent much time there in the later years of the war. (my note: Dr. D. H. Dungan was the nephew of John Bell Hamilton, his mother was Lillie Hamilton Dungan. He married Alice Thompson, daughter of Dr. Elijah Thompson and Mary Ann Riley of Thompson's Station, TN. He moved to Little Rock Arkansas after the death of his wife and remarried) Isaac Milner was a Methodist minister and business associate of Hamilton. He and his brother Sam Milner, were engaged in the manufacturing of jeans for the Confederacy until a Union raid in 1863 burned their factory near Florence, Alabama. Milner is mentioned frequently in Hamilton's later letters. Alice Dickerson was Tommie Williams' sweetheart. Billy Williams, sometimes referred to only as "Brother," was Tommie's younger half-brother, and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Williams was his half-sister whom he called "Sis." (Edward Williams had married a second time after Tommie's mother died.) Billy joined Tommie's company in the fall of 1864. During his service Billy suffered the loss of a finger. Several of the Hamilton slaves are mentioned frequently. Their names are listed here in the hope of avoiding some confusion for the reader. John Turkey, John Stack, Dan, Peter, Fred, Marshall, Harriet and Mariah were some of the most trusted slaves. Carey was bought late in 1862. About the last of July, 1861, the Second Battalion marched to Camp Trousdale, Tennessee, near the Kentucky border, on the Louisville-Nashville Railroad, where it was encampted until September. Hamilton described it as a "camp of disease and death." August 29, 1861 My Wife, I reached home (the camp) last night in good health--found all my boys well except Al Carigan who is detailed home on the sick list. I found on my arrival that a petition of the officer who had signed Nichols' application had gone to Governor Harris for the appointment of Dr. Tawler as Surgion. I suppose this move fixes the appointment with certainty on Frierson and Tawler. You may show this to Dr. T. and if he is appointed and it meets your wish, I think you had better transfer John to Dr. S. W. Frierson's care. We have a sharp amount of measles and some fever and want a surgion now. Dungan is doing all his duty and is popular but does not ask or desire the surgeoncy, but will gladly accept the assistancy. He is eminently qualified for this and I now see that such an appointment is indispensable. Respects to Br. and Sister Burr. Bro. Mizell and family, also Dr. Church and family and everybody else. S. H. Jones resigns, taking effect this day; no move yet, but it may give me trouble ahead. You will hear many rumors about Kentucky, but keep cool. Mrs. Dr. Park says she will come up with you to Camp Trousdale if you conclude to come. Don't come until the present storm blows over. I will keep you posted on any secret moves--publick things you will see in the papers. I yet remain on the general Court Martial which takes much of my time. My health is about as usual Respectfully John B. Hamilton Tommie Williams and Jim Wilkins, like so man others, contracted measles at camp and were sent home to recuperate. Their absence was keenly felt by Captain Hamilton, who needed their votes in the forthcoming election. There is a feeling of helplessness in his letter. Bowling Creen Sept. 20, 1861 Dear Thomas, I am glad to learn you and James (Jim Wilkins) are better. I hope it may continue. I have not heard from John. I wish you were well enough to come, but do not risk too much. If my boys were in, even 10 of them, I could be Lt. Col. As it is, it's doubtful. Fiffle outnumbers Kinzer and me both. Polk is for me out and out. J. B. Hamilton Moe later...