My great great uncle Duncan McQuagge/McQuaigge was "appointed 2nd Sergeant of 1st Co. "D"/2nd Co. "B" of the 1st Confederate Battalion. This company organized at Fort Morgan, Ala., Feb. 13, 1862, and went to Fort Pillow, TN shortly afterwards. Initially designated Company “D”, some members were Floridians, while others had served in Companies “F” and “H” of the 2nd Alabama Regiment. While the 2nd Alabama was a twelve-month command, officers and men of the 1st Confederate Battalion enlisted for the war."
(information from Alan Pitts)

Duncan McQuaigge was last heard from in the following letter to his father on April 10, 1862 (corrected transcript--original has too many misspelled words for this message board program):

Norman McQuagge
Euchana
Walton County, Florida

Fort Pillow, Tennessee April 10, 1862

Dear Father, I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well and hope this to finds you and all the family in saying(?)the same kind blessing(?). You might write soon and let me hear from you. I have written and written and have never have received any answer, and if you knew how much pleasure it might afford me to hear that you were all well.
I have nothing interesting to write only about the fight that is going on at Carrenth(Corinth/Shiloh*). Eight(it?) as been continue(?)for the last five days and still likely to continue for days, although our side has been victorious. They have taken 12 generals and 6,000 men of the Yankees. We have lost 4 generals beside how may men I have not heard, but there has been a great slaughter on both sides. Expect to have a fight at this place every minute in the day. Our gun boat came down the (Mississippi River) from Island No. 10 and reported that the Yankees have taken the place. There were 5,000 of our men on the island that have not been heard of. All suppose them to be taken prisoners. This is all that I have worth writing at present. I might close by giving my love to you all. I remain your affectionate son until death.

To Norman McQuagge(age 62) From Duncan McQuagge(age 23)

*The Battle of Shiloh began on the morning of April 6, 1862. The 1st Confederate Infantry Battalion was at Ft. Pillow at this time as was the 2nd Alabama.

Were there any other men from Walton County, Florida in this unit? Why was Duncan in this unit rather than another Florida unit like most of the other men from Walton County, which supplied more men to the effort than any other Florida county?

The 1st Confederate Infantry also fought at Corinth and at Vicksburg. Was he killed in one of these battles?

Duncan was never heard from again, although there is no record of his being killed in action or captured.