I live in Oconee County, SC and I am a member of the SCV, Col. Joseph Norton Camp, in Seneca. My Great Great Grandfather was A. L. Turner, CO. H 22nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in January 1862 at the age of 16 and served until August, 15th 1864. He rose in rank from private to Sergeant and was then reduced in rank to private only to be promoted to Junior Second Lt. later in the war. From my research thus far I have determined that he was in all of the major engagements except Jackson, MS. In speaking with one of the reference librarians at the state archives building in Columbia I understand that several members of Evan's Brigade jumped from the train in Branchville, SC and went A.W.O.L. rather than fight in MS. My G G Grandfather then apparently rejoined the regiment upon their return to Savannah, GA from MS. He was tried and aquitted before a court marshall according to the archival records. He then was reactivated and sent back to his unit as a private. Can you shed any light on this apparrent mass "desertion" by members of Evan's Brigade in Branchville?

Secondly, I know my G G Grandfather's regiment went to the army of Northern VA from Carleston,SC and fought at the Bermuda Hundred and was later assigned to Elliot's Brigagde in May 1864 and inside Elliott's salient directly in front of Peagram's battery beginnig at the left gun and extending about 70 yards to the right of the right gun, of which there were 4 guns, and directly over the Mine explosion at the Crater July 30th 1864. Although company B was inhialated along with 5 other companies severely depleted by the explosion, My G G Grandfather and other survivors of the 22nd and the intact 23rd held of Yankee attacks for 5 hours while being isolated somewhat from reinforcements in the face of repeated Yankee assults only 30 feet from the edge of the Crater. He and his small group of remaining defenders upon the right of Peagrams battery then participated in Mahone's third and final charge into the Crater Under Gen. Bushrod's orders led by Capt. Shedd killing or capturing every Yankee in their path. He next appears on admission records at Wayside Field Hosp.#9 August 15, 1864 in Petersburg and then Jackson Hospital August 21st in Richmond where he was furloughed for 30 days, returning to Greenville, SC, his home. He then appears A.W.O.L. in the military records for the remainder of the war. How can I find out what injuries he was admitted to the Hospital for and why furloughed?

The explaination I have always heard from our family is that he was captured while furloughed by Yankee forces and released at the end of the war. I have no proof of this. When I was a boy I often asked my Grandfather what he was told about the war by my G G Grandfather. He recalled that my G G Grandfather refused to talk about actual battlefield actions yet frequently talked about being starved, always hungry, cold and constantly exposed to the elements and filth. Living in conditions like wild animals, barely clothed and always hating the Yankees.

Any reference to the Branchville desertions and Jackson Hospital records will help me piece more of this puzzle together. Personally, I doubt my G G Grandfather, who would have been 19 years old in September 1864, was taken prisoner while furloughed and most likely deserted a second time never to return to the Hell he had left behind. Who could blame him if this was decision. Not me.

Any help would be appreciated and I would be indebted to you, gladly.

Kevin Robinson
Salem, SC 29676
cell 770-714-7802
email kevinrobinson1@bellsouth.net