After looking through my records last night for Dr. John R. McDonald, everything is still as clear as mud. There was a Dr. Jonathan McDonald (1806-1866) who is listed in Faye Axford's "The Lure and Lore of Limestone County" as one of the largest landowners in the county and a long-time physician. He was active in the development of the Tennessee and Alabama Central Railroad in the 1850s. He married Mary Briggs Malone in 1829. This seems to be the Dr. McDonald that several members of CO F and CO H of the 9th Alabama referred to as being in the camp in Richmond in 1861. I think he was either just visiting or helping out, because there is no mention of him in the rosters.

John R. McDonald does show up in CO H of the 9th, first as a private, then elected to 3rd Lieutenant in Richmond. J. W. McDonald of CO F was killed at Gaines's Mill in 1862 and a John R. McDonald of CO I was captured at Sayler's Creek on April 6, 1865 and sent to Point Lookout. I also have it in my records that a John R. McDonald transferred to Gen. Pillow in 1864. This may be the McDonald in question.

Any Limestone Countians out there who know their McDonalds?

John

John