I'm sorry I missed those discussions. Thank you so much for the information regarding Col. Patterson's brigade. The only info I have prior to Curry's appointment is that on 10/17/64, JLM Curry, traveling in the company of the Confederate military court, arrived at Courtland where Gen. Roddey had his headquarters. Roddey had just returned home to Moulton sick the previous day. Curry was appointed Roddey's aide pro tempore.

I would agree that Roddey's and Clanton's defeats at LaGrange and Bluff Springs, respectively, were complete. Although the Federal commands were small, weren't the Confederate commands still outnumbered? Not an expert on cavalry tactics, but it appears every defeat of cavalry troops in Alabama was accomplished by flank maneuver. With the quick movement of cavalry units, doesn't almost any superiority in numbers allow quick flanking movements? Roddey's defeat is also understandable given the following circumstances:

Roddey's division, which had been charged with guarding both of the army's flanks from Corinth to Huntsville (and its rear along the railroad in between), had been ordered to Tennessee with Forrest a week before the Federals took Decatur. Roddey had left Winde's 4th Alabama cavalry behind to guard Decatur, and Curry's 5th Alabama cavalry was still in Alabama marching from Corinth to Tennessee when Palmer began his raid. Roddey's command could not have been more widely-dispersed. Patterson and Burtwell were ordered back to Decatur 12/27/64. Palmer set out 12/28 with only Windes' 4th Alabama cavalry opposing him. Curry's 5th Alabama cavalry joined Windes' 4th 12/29 at Pond Spring. Burtwell (and Patterson?) joined them at Lagrange the night of 12/30.

It seems almost miraculous to me that Roddey was able to concentrate even a portion of his division at LaGrange in the face of Palmer's quick advance. Roddey's division's defeat appears to have been in detail, as it is not likely a large percentage of the division would have been able to be concentrated at LaGrange under such circumstances. Additionally, didn't either Forrest or Hood (or both) issue orders for Christmas furloughs when they reached Alabama? Is it possible Roddey's thin ranks can also be partly attributed to orders from above? Palmer had 600 troopers, outnumbering any Confederate opposition until LaGrange, and maybe there as well.

Mr. Pitts, if you would be so kind, please contact me at hdrake@altavista.com. I would like to correspond offline. Thanks!