I too am interested in locating the Rankin diary. I have a collegue writing of a sister regiment, the 59th Tennessee, who notes the smallpox epidemic, however, the diaries I possess of the 43rd Tennessee do not make note of this fact.

My guncle of the 43rd died in March 63' at Vicksburg, however, no cause of death is noted.

George Martin

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~gmartin55