Gentlemen,

Following the reports found in the O.R's of the war I disagree on the time frame of Gary's brigade
in Virgina. After being told to go to Greeneville S.C. to
remount and recruit he as orders dated May 4,1864 from Richmond which states" Col M.W. Gary Hampton Legion
'Let your command come at once by railroad,debark at Greensboro,march to Danville ,then to Richmond by railroad
.The horses with as many saddles as possible send in charge of a detachment( this is one we see from records
from soldiers like Thomas J. Cureton of Co.F) by highway.You are much needed as infantry until you can be equipped,move your men without delay"

Sam Melton

Lt.Colonel Asst.Ad.
On 19 May 1864 T.M.Logan is promoted to Colonel and Gary
to Brigdier General also Hampton's Legion is ordered to
report to Major General Ransom in Richmond for assignment
to duty.Note"7th S.C Cavarly is to report to same on 20 May
1864 with Colonel Shingler. Captain Nicholson with 250 men of dismounted men belonging to Hampton Legion is two miles above Mattoax Station and told to report by Capt.Thomas Butler to Major General Robert Ranson at Richmond.
Remember the note on the 7th S.C. and Col.Shingler this is important since Gordan Rhea in his book on Cold Harbor relying only on William G. Hinson dairy states that " Gary
showed up with 7th S.C. on the 29th of May 1864.
This is a mistake for on the 29th Fitz Hugh Lee in correspondence with Major General Wade Hampton at Gen.Lee's
Headquaters who is concerned that there is no cavarly pickets on the road from Old Church and Cold Harbor rquests if Gary or Shingler could watch this places.
Hampton replys to let the pickets be posted. Now Colonel
Shingler does resign on 30 May 1864 after differances with
President Davis.Now with this in mind we go back to the 7th and William G.Hinson. Hinson states that the 7th charged with eight companies,but the regiment was formed with only five on 3 May 1864 with Captains,Tucker,Wallace,
Boykin,and McGee commanded by Col. W.P.Shingler.
With this in mind I suppment that Hampton's Legion and possible th 24th Va.Cav. made up the other companies.For
on 1 June 1864 Gary and Col.Robins of the 24th Va. are ordered to Bottom's Bridge.This relates to Rhea's book when
he says that Lee was afraid to leave Butler were he was at because of their condition after the fight at Matadequin Creek and was sent south to Bottom's Bridge
to recuperate.
On June 2, Gary assumed a portion of Butler's command at
Bottom's bridge due to illness.Colonel Robins at Malvern Hill as reported by Fitz Hugh Lee.Gary's Brigade would has you all know with the 7th S.C. Hampton Legion and 24th Va. and would see many more fights.This concludes my concludes
my argument that there was more of Gary's men than the 7th
at Matadequin Creek and Cold Harbor.

Yours in Hertiage,

Ray Williams