I did try the 26th's website before, but never was able to get responses from anyone. A friend who is a historian on the 26th and 32nd sent me no less than 9 records from fold3.com regarding John Oliver Jinkins, including his engagements and POW record. He was also a corporal in the US Army from 1855-1860. The records I have indicate that he escaped from Fort Donelson with his company and two others of the 26th when COL Nathan Bedford Forrest refused to surrender and evaded capture, returning to another Confederate fort, the name of which I forget. The record shows him "absent- detailed under orders" at Fort Donelson (Feb. 1862) and Coffeeville (Dec. 1862). According to the historian, it meant that, in the case of the former, he was in the process of escaping from Fort Donelson to the other fort. He was listed as "absent-sick" at Willow Springs and Baker's Creek (May 1863), and Jackson (MS July 1863) for a period of two months. He was listed as "Present" at Wilderness on May 5, 1864, was wounded on May 6, 1864, but was present and fighting again at Talley's Mill on May 10, 1864 and at Spotsylvania Courthouse (May 1864), Hanover Junction (May 1864), Cold Harbor (June 1864), at Gaines' Mill (June 1964), and in the trenches "in front of Petersburg" (July-August 1864), was "present-detailed" at Weldon RR (August 1864), again in the trenches "in front of Petersburg" (Sept.- Oct. 1864) and Fort McRae (Oct. 1, 1864). He was "absent-sick" at an unnamed skirmish (Oct. 2 1864). He was "present" at Hatcher's Run (Oct. 1864), Jarratt's Station (Dec. 1864), and again at Hatcher's run (Feb. 1865). He was captured on April 1, 1865 (8 days before Lee's surrender), as per yankee POW records, and not released until June 28, 1865 (two months after Lee's surrender).

As I am going for the mid-late war impression, my 26th historian friend told me the best thing was a brown jean wool Columbus Depot (dyed indigo collar/cuffs), and/or brown jean wool Enlisted frock coat (plain collar/cuffs), black on brown chevrons. NOTE: This is not for re-enacting. It is to honor SGT Jinkins at ceremonies of the Sons of Confederate Veterans events. When I do get into re-enacting, I have to join a Texas outfit, as I live near San Antonio. A couple of friends and I are even talking about a Texas State Troops living history association (no re-enactments, as they were home guard only). There was a local unit here and a retired history professor says he has another of my ancestors listed as being in the local TST unit. On that, we are talking about setting up a camp at local fairs, schools, and events, and showing how the TST's lived in the field, as well as teaching about what the TST's were. For that, officers wear single-breasted cadet grey frocks, and enlisted wear either white "negro cloth" or cadet grey Houston Depot shells. From the records and diaries of TST members, they talk about "coming running with our pistols" when there was a Comanche raid. I'm making the educated guess that they used everything from 1847 Walker and 1948 Dragoon through the 1851 "Leech and Rigdon" Navy .36 (Basically, this was a Colt 1851 Navy patent that was stolen and taken to the south immediately prior to the war. Leech and Rigdons were mass produced in Columbus, MS, while only a few similar pistols were produced at a small factory in Texas).

Regarding weapon, he has assured me that the most prevalent weapon of the 26th MS was the 1853 Enfield. As it is also the least expensive, I have decided to go with it. I long ago gave up on the "Confederate" 1840 NCO sabre, but it was a heartbreaking decision, as I am well-trained and experienced with sabres, both in drill and ceremony, and in fighting tactics. Still, I'll find solace in a D Guard Bowie that a knife-making friend of mine is building (he even does the original metal smithing from bars of raw steel). I've been waiting 9 months so far, so I'm hoping it's a beauty like all the others I've seen him make.