Hi Lee, check this site for more on the Carson's the 12th Georgia and the Doles / Cook Brigade. This is the second time in resent days that I have recommened this site but, there is some extented information for you here. I hope this helps you to get an understanding of what these folks endured.
Dave P http://books.google.com/books?id=jBBCAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=doles+cook+brigade