Gary,

For my writing I used to clarify old folklore and exaggerations of what happened at the Pulliam farm with:

--my 2002 correspondence with Ray Burson based on his research while part of the Ripley County Historical Society;
--Cletis R. Ellinghouse, "Enemy Women Reviewed" in "Wayne County Journal-Banner," Piedmont, MO, 26 Sept. 2002, sec. B;
--Kirby Ross, "Mistaken Premise for 'Enemy Women'" "Wayne County Journal-Banner," Piedmont, 3 Oct. 2002, Section B;
--James E. Bell, "History of Early Reynolds County" Paducah, KY, Turner Publishing Company, 1986, p. 67;
--U.S. Govt, "The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records..." series 1, vol. 22, part 1, pp. 783-4; part 2, 748-50; vol. 34, part 2, pp. 5-6.

Read the earlier discusssion in this forum as to Jerry Ponder's scholarship and objectivity. Have you examined carefully the sources Ponder cites in his books? (This is a trick question.) On this topic you need to be very careful what you read and believe. What happened at Pulliam's farm on Christmas Day of 1863 has been subject to distortion and the actual events are in danger of slipping into legend and away from historical fact. As Americans we constantly face the choice of believing what we want to believe which isn't always the truth.

I hope this helps you.

Bruce Nichols