Re DeMesme's racial background. There was a booklet for sale in the Gettysburg Visitor's Center bookshop on the Confederates buried at Appomattox. I meant to buy it then got distracted, but I recall that in a brief bio of DeMesme, it said he was a native of France. The booklet may be available by calling or writing the store. In fact, I'm going to try to get a copy.