Hi,

My mom and I found a treasure a few months ago; the Confederate Bible carried by my 3rd great grandfather, a Confederate Soldier, in the Civil War. His name was Nathaniel T. Sanders, enlisted in September 1862 in Jasper in the 13th Battalion Partisan Rangers, if my fold3 research is correct. Here's what I would love some ideas for how to research... he wrote on several pages of his Bible, and I don't know for sure whether he wrote the dedication at the same time that he wrote the other pages, but the dedication page is dated... April 27, 1863... where he says "Nathaniel Sanders to Mrs. Caroline Sanders, his dear companion. Caroline, if I never see you any more keep this to remember me." Then on the next page, following a little part that is illegible, I have painstakingly put together what he wrote about the action going on: "Caroline our boys have only been in little fites with only six men wounded and one missing. I have to go into it tomorrow. I am not going if I can help." Then on the next page, "Tell Caroline Sanders that was in that fite the major and about 200 men has been gone 11 days and Caroline, theres going to be a heavy fite here right off. Caroline, pray for me."

Curiosity has certainly gotten the better of me, but I have no earthly idea how to go about researching where this fighting could have been taking place. If you go by the date of the dedication, it seemed there was some fighting in Town Creek-- would that have matched the description? I guess many possibilities could have-- but any suggestions would be very appreciated.

I have scanned the pages of the Bible that have been written in, and I would be happy to share it with anyone who has any interest in this kind of thing... my email address is darcara@charter.net. I have wrapped the original Bible in acid free paper and stored it in an archival box for rare books, so it is safer now than it was in the bottom of a cedar chest among a lot of old junk. Goes to show you when you are cleaning out you have to look at every item! This Bible survived a move by horse and wagon from Alabama to Oklahoma, and at least one F5 tornado. Not to mention the Civil War battles.

Thanks in advance for any advice.