I am researching a family memeber in the 13th Al Infantry from Wilcox County -- enlisted in Montgomery in July 1861. I found a source from Sothern Republic, edited by T.C. Brewer that carried the following information on this unit:
"Muster roll of the Alabama River Rangers, as mustered into service of the Confederate States of America, July 7, 1861. This fine company left home on Sunday last for Virgiia. They took the steamer, Coquette, at Bridgeport, Alabama River, about 8pm..."
Questions I have on this source:
1) Isn't Bridgeport on the Tennessee River, not the Alabama? Any idea why it would be written as such?
2) Why would this unit have used steamer transport instead of train out of Montgomery (assuming they did)?
3) I assume they would have had to pick up a train at some point -- Knoxville, maybe, for the rest of the journey to Virginia (Yorktown)?
4) Does anyone have any confirmation or correction on this detail?