Ms. Patton, I have a 1996 publication called "Dalton Remembers the War Between the States" compiled by Polly Boggess. It contains many stories from the war days, among them the following anecdote: "I was driving through the country about five miles north of Dalton with John Black. He pointed out a spot where are buried 14 men shot for desertion just before the march to the sea. Mr. Black was present and saw the poor fellows meet their death. The entire army was drawn up to witness the execution of those few who wearied in the hopeless struggle. Twenty eight men were detailed for the execution, 14 with loaded guns and 14 with blank cartridges. A reserve of 14 men was placed behind the firing line. Upon the first volley all fourteen men fell except one, who was untouched except for a scratch on the hand. One man from the reserve was called out, placed the gun against the prisoners breast and fired. He was his warm and personal friend and neighbor boy from up in North Carolina. Mr. Black said that Adjutant S.P. Green read the sentences of death rendered by the court-martial, and it happened that three of the deserters were from Company L from some North Carolina regiment. As he read the command to which they belonged, Co. L, Co. L, Co. L, the regiment wag, Tebie Hugg whispered 'Boys, aint they given that Company L?'".
Tebie Hugg, the regimantal wag or joker, was my gr-grandfather Stephen Hugg of Company A, 39th Georgia. He was just a youngster of 19 when this occurred.