Linda,

Let me be clear in my response. First, I have studied the common soldier of the Confederacy for many years. He has fascinated and inspired me in ways I cannot begin to explain here. Alvin and Ike Cobb are the first Confederate ancestors I have found in my family. I guess they do not fit my preconceptions based on the many years of research I have conducted. But that was the war in Missouri right? You can take your preconceptions of the WBTS and toss them right out the window when you think on Missouri.

I do not detract from the service of these men. I know so little at this point that I cannot even comment on them. I just had an idea in my head of what I might encounter once I located Confederate ancestors. Ike and Alvin changed that rather suddenly.

andrew