Could It Be True?

[richard]

In an article in the Decatur Alabama news paper last week, it was said that a new very detailed map was found of the area. This map was hand drawn by a member of an Ohio regiment that was stationed there. Along with the map were letters that this trooper had written. One letter made the statement than as early as January of 1865, General Roddy had offered to surrender his whole command if his men could keep there horses and arms. The offer was refused.

I realize that This was just after the disaster at Nashville and there were wholesale deserters headed home, but would a General do such a thing with out approval from higher up? Or was Roddy just tired. He had been ill in September and may not have totally recovered from the whole mess.

If it is true, why would the Union forces not take that opportunity to heart and get this cavalry force off the field of battle with out firing a shot?

[ole]

Interesting question. Sounds like it could be true. He would have had no opponent with the authority to take such a surrender. And it would seem that it might be a better idea to surrender than have his men simply go home.

ole

[larry_cockerham]

I agree that the question is interesting. Just somehow seems a bit out of character, though in January 1865 the weather was still horrendous, there were no supplies to be had for a large force such as Roddy's in northern Alabama. The war from a Confederate perspective was lost. The whole yankee army (Thomas and Wilson) was about to take north Alabama and Roddy would have been well aware of that fact. The Confederates who survived Nashville were either on leave, deserted or plumb tuckered out in Mississippi or on their various routes towards Georgia to take one last poke at Sherman. I think Roddy would have more likely joined Forrest in Mississippi or straggled along with the AOT. Just an opinion. I don't know.

[richard]

This story appeared in the Decatur Daily on Feb 28th. The letter was written by a trooper from the 102nd Ohio on Feb. 6th '65. He stated that deserters were continually coming across there lines and had been for the past two weeks. Roddy offered to surrender his forces in exchange for the men to keep there horses and be paroled. I checked out the news paper but it is subscription only. It is a valid story. Maybe Neil has heard about the find of the letters and map. They were found in Ohio. Small state and everyone knows everybody.

[unionblue]

richard,

Sorry, no clue.

Haven't heard a thing about it.

Sincerely,
Unionblue