Charles, Just a few notes on Company I.
The Arkansas Civil War message boart has two very long message strings on sharpshooters and Stirman's regiment.
Company I started out in summer of 62 in Bridges BN. Included Company K, 9 TX Cav and I plus contribution soldiers from other units of the two TX regiments. Henry W. Bridges was brevited (sp?) to major. My GGF & GGU
went to I company on July 17. On Aug 1, 62 Bridges was promoted to LTC and his bn attached to Stirman's Regiment.
Col Ras Stirman describes his 10 companies all dressed in grey and well drilled. The were drilled as skirmishers and sharpshooters. The regiment missed employment at Iuka, but were in the thick of it at Corinth on the second day. Stirman was on the left of Phifer's Brigade in Peter Cozzins book, The Darkest Days of the Civil War, but should have
been spread out across the front as skirmishers, as they had been training. Either way they caughet hell. They probably did develop the break through between DuBois and Fullers Union Divisions and participated in the rollup almost over running Rosecrans Headquarters. Only the arrival of two fresh Union divisions ended the battle and caused Van Dorn's retreat.
Stirman and the 6th TX were 3rd and 4th across Hatchie Bridge and after running into a Union blocking force and flanking activity were quickly back across the bridge with many casulties. My GGF broke his arm and was
captured that day. The 6th and Stirman's Regiment set up positions on the east side of the river allowing the rest of the Army to retreat across the Bridge and apparently held up the union force long enough for Van Dorn to make his retreat.
After this Stirman's Regiment was broke up and Bridges Bn with Bridges as a major existed for a while. My GGF had his horse shod in Jan 63, so it did not take to long to remount.
I will bet some participated in the raids of Dec and the spring. Apparently Company I was busy. Do you know when your kin took actual command? I have an official date in 1865, but someone must have assumed command while Bridges was the Bn Cmdr. This is fun. Suggest you read the Arkansas board using key word Stirman or sharpshooter.
Bill Nolan Kerrville, TX ps Need better e-mail
ps: We need to get all the people who are kin to contribute to a 6th TX
site and join the SCV.