Thomas Catesby Jones began his service with Captain Thomas H. Carter's battery (his reminiscences are at the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond). Moving from temporary barracks at the Richmond College building, the battery went to a training location at a crossroads (-onxey's?) under the command of Brigadier General Ewell. Jones writes, "We camped on the opposite side of a large level field from Headquarters. The 6th Alabama being at the other end of it." Jones joked that the units had difficulty not getting in the way of each other while conducting training maneuvers. The 6th regiment, along with Carter's battery and two cavalry troops (Governor's Guard of Richmond and the Goochland Troop) drilled in the same field. Major J. B. Gordon of the 6th was there. Jones writes, "Mrs. Gordon boarded near by and she was often seen riding with her husband, looking on at the drill. We remarked upon the fact that the Major never took part" (in the drills). Jones recalled that one night after taps, the 6th Alabama Drum Corps sounded the "long roll," but it turned out to be a false alarm.