John,

Okay. Try this scenario on for size. Because of the three separate actions of August 23 upset local militia in a stir went to several homes of known local Rebels in the area and just happened to find Zimmerman at home (or a neighbor of northern sympathy informed them he was home). Or, if Zimmerman was of northern sympathy himself, just reverse the process to have local guerrillas like the notorious Sam Hildebrand stopping by the house to kill Zimmerman. The man was still just as dead whichever way it went. I really don't know details in Zimmerman's case. Sorry I couldn't be more specific.

Bruce