You're exactly right, and even now, I'm not quite sure when he entered the ranks of the 5th Georgia Infantry, but due to the story of the seven year-old son riding the father's horse (probably a plow horse) to the point of enlistment, I feel sure the unit must have been in close proximity to Stevenson, AL, the family home, when he did join up.

When I first read a little history of the 5th Georgia being stationed along with J. K. Jackson's brigade, it makes it clear that Volney probably joined no earlier than November of 1862. They were sent to Murfreesboro in December of 1862 and suffered heavy losses north of the Cowan house and just West of "The Round Forest" on December 31st. I presumed he must have enlisted and then remained in service from November of 1862 till his death September 19th, 1863. I have recently discovered; however, that Jackson's brigade was returned to the Bridgeport, Alabama area until August of 1863. It is possible, and I can probably never know that he joined or "fell in" with the 5th Georgia, marched to Chickamauga and was killed in his first action.

I normally wouldn't have posted a personal find like this, but considered it of particular interest since this man, my ggg-grandfather, had so much to do with the motivation to establish this message board and the thirty-three (33) that have followed it. I also wanted to offer encouragement to those who had looked for years, especially for undocumented or poorly documented Confederates to not give up, because someday they might find, just like I have, that one document that finally answers their research questions.

Sometimes the family stories are true.

Jim