Mr. Martin,
Thanks for your comments.
Where is the John C. Vaughn SCV Camp? I am interested since I have done quite a bit of research on him during the fall of 1863.
As a soldier and a historian, casualties and casualty rates are always an interest to me. What was exceptable in the 1860's, WW I, and WW II is not particularly exceptable today. I remind people when I talk to them of the casualty rates in each battle that was sustained by the South in an attempt to win our freedom and by the North to subjugate the South. The bloodiest day in American history, 17 September 1862, 2,100 Federal soldiers died, 9,550 were wounded, and 1,550 Confederate soldiers were killed, and 7,750 were wounded. The amount of soldiers that died during the War Between the States still exceeds the number in all of the wars that America has fought before or since combined. Around 2,974 died as a result of the attacks during 11 September 2001. 42,636 people died in automobile accidents in America in 2004. 14,121 people were murdered in America in 2004. After 11 September 2001, 3,055 soldiers have died in combat in the war on terror. My friends and former soldiers are fighting at the squad, platoon, company, battalion, and on occasion brigade level. They are not the massive linear formations of the 19th Century but they are doing business that effect millions of lives around the world. What is exceptable casualties and what is not depends on society, perception, education, and the National Will and that is a totally different focus that I have discussed at length with many people and a whole different study. All it takes is one tactical event to make a strategic difference (can you say Abu Grab or the Tet Offensive?).
Again, I go back the "Official Record" discussion. I don't disagree with your or Ms. Karr's point but the "Official Records" classifies the various meeting of forces. Personally, I think that the "Action" between the Federals and Confederates at Philadelphia, Tennessee on 20 October 1863 should be more than an "Action" but I nor any other historians get to write the rules (except liberals and the winners).
I hope this helps.
Respectfully,
Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
War Between the States Historian
Historian: 39th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment
http://39thgavolinfrgt.homestead.com/39thHomepage.html