The Alabama buttons I found at New Mardrid/Ruckers Battery were state seal buttons. I found a total of 5 buttons, four were produced by Horstman Bros. & Allien/N. Y. and one by Schuyler, H & G/New-York. The four Horstman buttons where found in a back yard just off Main St. in New Madrid and the Schuyler was found at Ruckers Battery. I have read before that the 1st Alabama, Tennesse, Mississippi did help construct fortifications on the Tennesse side of Island No. 10. This button was found in the only remaining visible landmark of the battle on the Tennesse side, Ruckers Battery. I have been told but have not read that Confederate POWS were sometimes kept at New Madrid while enroute to either the military prison at Alton, Ill or Rock Island, Ill. This may explain the four buttons found in town. I have found Alabama buttons in Georgia, Mississippi, and Maryland, and I know there is an Alabama plate out there with my name on it somewhere. The one Alabama button I found in Maryland was an A.V.C. produced by Jas. Conning/Mobile. I was a young kid in the Mairne Corps in the early 80's when I found that, and it was sold off for beer money. The man I sold that button to still has it and for what he paid me and what its worth now is something else. I think there is still a ton of relics to find in your part of Mississippi. There are way to many obvious places to hunt in that part of the south and I think those are the places that draw a lot of relic hunters. I think the not so obvious places are the best places to hunt. From Desoto county east to the Miss/Ala border is some of the best relic hunting around. My search of the OR shows troops both north and south in every small town in North Miss. The old roads, springs, fords are countless. I wouldnt give up on just the one button. If you are interested I will leave my email address and you can contact me and I can tell you of a few places I hunt your way. Doug Culp, SCV 145