There seems to have been a good bit of civil strife in Coosa (and what became Elmore County) especially toward the end of the war. Conscription resistance and desertion were not uncommon. While there is a little in the OR's, most of the history seems to be oral tradition. One example would be my great grandfather David Batson a member of Co. G, 28th Alabama Infantry. David was from Elyton, his parents had passed away during the war so he went to live with his brother William in Coosa County. David had lost his left arm and was said to be somewhat bitter. Brother William was a member of Ellis Logan's Mounted Reserves. Unfortunately William's son James who was the same age as David was a conscription evader. (Some fun stories here). Anyway William was married to a Kelly. Brother George (also of Elyton) was married to a Sewell and the Sewell's were intermarried with the Kellys. One of the fun places to go was called the Devil's Half Acre near Kelly's Cross Roads not far from Traveler's Rest. Well one night at the Devil's Half Acre one of the Sewells made unpleasant remarks to David concerning his Confederate service and the loss of his arm so, David shot and killed him. Pursued by the Kelly's and Sewells, David (one arm, red headed, easy to spot) chose to visit his sister in Covington County, where he married and remained the rest of his life. Versions of this story are still well known in the area. Just ask Mr. Kelly who runs the store at Kelly's Cross Roads. The area was well known for the shootings and killings that occurred there both during and after the war. His ancestor, Sheriff Kelly, is the one who "cleaned that place out." David never saw any of the family again (other than his sister). William died in 1877 and is buried in a local cemetery. His son James Polk Batson became rather wealthy, lived in Rockford and often visited the Confederate Soldier's home at Mountain Creek. George returned to Elyton and raised a large family. Most if not all of the Batsons in Birmingham are his descendants as was Nancy Batson the aviator. David became a school teacher. Looking back(and leaving out the details) one could say that David was a soldier who shot and killed one of the locals in Coosa County. There is much more to the story and to the events in the area that I will share with you at a later date.

Bob