Cousins & friends: Just perused a wonderful reference book entitled "Nothing But Glory -- Pickett's Division at Gettysburg," by Kathy Georg Harrison & John W. Busey. On Company C (Franklin Fire Eaters) of the 57th VA Infantry is written: "This company enlisted 21 June 1861 at Higg's Old Field, Franklin County, Virginia for twelve months; joined Keen's Battalion, probably as Company "D," 16 September 1861; and was reorganized 7 May 1862." Will gladly do roster lookups for people with relatives who fought at Gettysburg in Pickett's Division. The units included in Pickett's group were the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 8th, 9th, 11th, 14th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 28th, 38th, 53rd, 56th & 57th VA Volunteer Infantry Regiments & the 38th Battalion VA Volunteer Light Artillery. A roster lookup on my relative, William Peters, finds the following: "Peters, William: Enl. 21 July 1861 at Pig River; wife was Mrs. Rachel Peters; wounded; died 4 July 1863." I look forward to reading your E-mails & to continuing this discussion of Franklin County participation in the War Between the States. Sincerely, Mike Peters npeters102@aol.com

This is my husband's great grandfather ---- David Painter Heckman On Friday, July 1, 1861 at Higgs Field, Long Branch, Franklin County, Virginia he organized, for service in the civil war, a company which was later designated Co. C, 57th Regiment, Stewart's Brigade, called "Franklin Fire Eaters". A roster of the Co. is found in the Archives of the Virginia State Library ------ Confederate Records, Vol. 6, Page 273. The muster roll calls #19246 supplemental to said volume shows D. P. Heckman, though listed a captain in the organization, a 1st Lieut., Promoted Captain Aug. 31, 1862 and promoted Major July 5, 1863. On Sept. 1, 1861 he was assigned to special duty, acting surgeon. He was wounded at Gettysburg where his brother William was killed. He was with Lee at Appomattox. After the close of the war he very seldom referred to it and would not often relate experiences. He practiced medicine for many years, traveling on horseback with saddle bags filled with small vials of drugs ----- his drug store, doing a large practice. He was gentle, kind and generous, a wise counselor, speaking harshly of no one ------- deeply religious. He was a member of the Fairmont Baptist Church, which was organized April 29, 1855. The building was finished in 1857, and the first worship Dec. 5, 1857, led by the first pastor, the Rev. Thomas C. Groggin who served for eleven years. Record of his Will is found in Will Book No. 25, Page 225 located in the Clerk's Office, Rocky Mount, Virginia. S. H. Akers was named Executor and R. E. L. Heckman was named guardian for Eddie Leighton, grandson and minor. Will probated Dec. 8, 1907. He lost interest in living after the death of his wife. He died at the home of his daughter, Mary Ellen [Kitty] Akers and was buried in the Heckman Memorial Cemetery about one fourth mile east of Heckman's Mill. The marker at the head of his grave is erroneously inscribed "Dr. D. R. Heckman" when it should be "Dr. D. P. Heckman." Caroline V. Cannaday Heckman, his second wife, who died April 13, 1906 is buried by his side.