There are several items to offer on the 5th Alabama Battalion which I will post later. The "Calhoun Sharpshooters" organized at Jacksonville AL on August 10, 1861, and left nine days later. Since the "White Plains Rangers" did not organize until Sept 3, 1861, the two companies were never together at Jacksonville. However, officers and men who later belonged to these companies could have drilled as members of one of the AVC companies from Calhoun County which organized during the period February 1860 up until May 1861.

For example, on Nov 3, 1860, Thomas Bush received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant of the "Calhoun Guards". AVC companies were required to assemble for drill at least once a month. Members of this company were armed, equipped and uniformed before the convention met to discuss secession in early January 1861. In March 1861 this company later formed part of the 2nd Alabama Regiment.