On April 19, 1863, the 30th Battalion as part of Wharton's Brigade, left their winter camp at the Narrows of New River in Giles County, Virginia. This force was sent to protect the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad, the lead mines near Wytheville and the salt supply at Saltville, Virginia. Headquarters was established at Glade Spring, VA.

See:
http://www.gilescounty.org/narrows.html

See:
http://www.csa-railroads.com
Click on "Maps" at the top of the page, then "Virginia Railroads 1859" (Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia)

See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emory_and_Henry_College_Hospital

See:
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&tn=30th+battalion+virginia+sharpshooters&x=82&y=16

William H. Caldwell appears as a member of the 54th Virginia Infantry only in postwar roster of that unit. Jeff Weaver in his book 54th Virginia Infantry calls Caldwell's service in the unit "doubtful".