Alan, were the Junior/Senior Reserves issued weapons and or clothing,or did they just bring what they had?
Would love to hear more about Gen. Johnston sending the Alabama unit back.
I can understand the fact that they were not trained in combat, but could they not have helped with scouting and other duties that did not necessarily mean combat, to free up Wheeler's regular cavalry? Also during that period of time the federals were involved in raids in Alabama, were they used as advance guards to warn other units and even civilians of their approach?