Carlisle's 1902 articles have presented the most complete record for the early days of the 37th Ala. that I've encountered in nearly 20 years of research, and yet, I KNOW there other articles and letters that were apparently published in the same newspaper that have since vanished to time, as a few of the surviving articles refer to names, dates and stories told by others that have not survived. (Carlisle's articles also only provide clues up to the regiment's participation in the Vicksburg siege and not much after that)
Another primary source for the early days of the regiment is the diary of Pvt. Joseph Henry Harris (Co I), but unfortunately, he left the regiment rather soon after their initial deployment once he employed the services of a Substitute. Even so, he reinforces the notion that the regiment kept arriving at Columbus in drips and drabs from Auburn due to a great deal of sickness among the ranks following their organization at Auburn. Harris didn't arrive at Columbus (having been sent home sick from Auburn) until 11 July 1862 having left . Taking the entries from Harris overlaid with Carlilse and the Bragg order -- and now, with the letters you were kind enough to send along, perhaps we can take a closer examination of the time line of arrival of those men.
------------------
Harris's diary entry of 8 July 1862: "Left here very early for Auburn left Auburn with about 30 of our Regt. about 3 o’clock ..."; Entry of 9 July 1862: "We got to Mont. [read: MONTGOMERY] 11 o’clock slept in car feel very sad and unwell this morning ..." ; Entry of 10 July 1862: "Got to Tensaw about six o’clock (rode on cars all night) got aboard steamer Mary Wilson got to Mobile about 1/2 past nine walked over to Mobile and Ohio R.R. and deposited our buggy ... then left for Columbus Miss..."; Entry of 11 July 1862: "Feel very tired and bad this morning. Rode on cars all night got to Asteria [read: ARTESIA] about 12 o’clock lay over until 1/2 past 2 then left for Columbus. Got there 1/2 past 3 walked about 2 miles out to camps boys glad to see me. Feel very tired and sleepy."; Entry of 12 July 1862: "Slept well last night arose this morning look around find that we have a nice place for encampment near a very large creek ... feel homesick and very bad in other respects ... did no duty as Colonel and Surgeon think it best for me to rest several days..." ; Entry of 13 July 1862: "Lay about the camps all day attended preaching this morning heard a good sermon from Capt. Shiffer and one from Mr. Smith this evening. The boys all pay good attention to divine worship and I am glad to see it as I love to see his worship respected."; Entry of 14 July 1862: "Had a fine prayer meeting last night. Col. Dowdell led the services a considerable feeling manifested amongst the troops fine meeting. A warm morning sit about the camps all day. Mr. Day came this evening with a substitute for me (a Mr. Belcher) give him $1,500.00 to take my place for three years or the war had him examined by surgeon he accepts him. A very warm day indeed feel dull."; This substiution event was also noted by Carlise who wrote "... Joseph H. Harris put in Starling V. Belser as substitute ..." [read: STARLING V. BELCHER, CO I]; Harris' entry of 15 July 1862: "Busy fixing up to leave ... left Columbus about 10 o’clock... perfectly delighted at the idea of getting home."
-----------