5th KY Volunteer Infantry Company B Nelson Grays C.S.A. Chain of Command: Division Commander: Gen Breckinridge Brigade Commander: Gen Helm Regimental Commander: Colonel Hunt Company Commander: Capt Stich Date: Wednesday September 10th, 1862. Jackson Mississippi. Current situation: We have been in Jackson since August 22nd,and are receiving new uniforms, rations, equipment and troops. The weather has been rainy which is keeping the heat and dust down. We have been able to purchase fresh food from locals to supplement our rations. New recruits, as well as recovered sick and wounded are filling our ranks. Foraging, fatigue duty and drill have filled the past three weeks. News and packages from home have been trickling in. Camp Equipment: Wedge tents, a few shelter halves, rubberized blankets and “condemned” flys would have been used as shelter. Foraging details would have supplied a number of our boxes, sparse furniture and cooking equipment found in camp. Necessities and food would have been purchased or “secured” from locals. A limited amount of the company’s equipment and officer’s personal possessions being carried by on a regimental supply wagon. The remaining equipment would have been carried by the men themselves. NOTE: Arbors, lean-tos and shebangs would have been more common, however tents are inseparable from re-enacting. Weapons and accouterments: Being re-equipped at this time, we would be getting Enfields and a few captured Springfields. Having been poorly equipped at the outset of the war there would have been many captured and personal weapons in camp. Things like Mexican War leftovers, shotguns, and a few flintlocks. Leathers are also being issued, more than likely in the natural russet color, with some captured federal black. Note: While some shotguns and flintlocks would be found in our camp, safety requires they NOT be used on the field. The same would be said for bare feet. Uniforms: Clothing until this point has been deteriorating quickly. Some men would be in civilian and captured clothes. Things would be in tatters and rags. Fortunately, uniforms were currently being issued at this time, so some would be in brand new uniforms. This would explain the various styles and condition of our uniforms. Boots were virtually non-existent, but as noted, safety says they’re a must on the field. Morale: High. After a year of hard marching and fighting we are going back to Kentucky! Also General Breckinridge has given permission to place “Battle Honors” on the flags. A Brief Unit History 1861 Sept 26th The “Nelson Grays” leave camp Charity for Bowling Green KY Oct 2nd-4th The Grays were sworn into Confederate service for three years or the duration of the war Dec 4th The skirmish of Whippoorwill Bridge south of Russellville KY, is their first action Late 1861 early 1862 spent drilling and defending C.S. capital of Bowling Green 1862 Feb 11th Ordered to abandon KY Feb 20th Arrived at Murfreesboro TN (stayed a week) March 19th Arrived at Corinth MS April 3rd New Enfields arrive for some troops May 29th Retreated from Corinth towards Tupelo June 23rd Left Tupelo for Vicksburg Late June early July In Vicksburg manning the works. Shelling and skirmishing were no as bad as disease, Malaria and Dysentery July 25th Left Vicksburg with Breckinridge to attack Baton Rouge Aug 3rd Arrived near Baton Rouge Aug 18th Received orders to march back an liberate Kentucky Aug 22nd Arrived at Jackson Mississippi to recuperate and resupply before heading back to Kentucky