Posted By:	Scott Chafn
	Email:
	Subject:	Floyd Co., VA; VT Thesis
	Post Date:	January 30, 2003 at 16:04:49
	Message URL:	http://genforum.genealogy.com/southernunionist/messages/55.html
	Forum:	Southern Unionist Forum
	Forum URL:	http://genforum.genealogy.com/southernunionist/

Dear List, This resource has previously appeared on the List, but Dave suggested I repost it. I recently read Paul Randolph Dotson, Jr.'s master's thesis, on-line at Virginia Tech, entitled, "Sisson's Kingdom: Loyalty Divisions in Floyd Co., VA, 1861-1865." It's available here: <A HREF="http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-4019122049721391/">http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-4019122049721391/</A> It's an excellent study of the subject of "Unionism" in at least one southern locale, and if nothing else, points out the difficulties of historical interpretation. Pro-Union sentiment existed nearly everywhere in the South, but not always at the same level of intensity, for the same reasons, or at the same times. Mr. Dotson has done an excellent job of focusing on these issues and the experiences of a single county. In a similar vein, Robert Baker and Brian Hall continue their work on the 39th Kentucky Mounted Infantry, USV, which, in addition to the counties in eastern Kentucky, drew many of its soldiers from southwestern Virginia, eastern Tennessee, and even western North Carolina. (A gg-grandfather of mine, John Hile Gates, resided in Tazewell and Buchanan Cos., VA, deserted the Virginia State Line in 1862, and removed his entire family to Louisa, KY to join Co. I as a 2nd Sgt; he served for nearly three years.) A thorough history of the regiment is in the works, but Robert and Brian keep learning new facts. The current regimental website is here: <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge/7616/">http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge/7616/</A> Regards to all, Scott Chafn Falls Church, VA