Interesting Info on John Franklin Etheridge
I've had discussion in the past with some on this board about my Great-Great Grandfather John Franklin Etheridge (b. 1831, d. 1907) of Marengo Co. Alabama. While doing some extended research on him, I have come across some startling (to me) facts about him.Of course, I already knew he was a Private in the Confederate States Army during the Civil War, but I had no idea what his service consisted of.According to several Civil War sites and the Alabama Archives, John Franklin served during the Battle of Chickamauga, he was present during the Seige on Petersburg (Va.), and most significantly, he was among only 128 soldiers of the 43rd Alabama Infantry Regiment who were present at Appamattox Court House during Lee's surrender to Grant.The 43rd originally was over 1,200 strong.According to historical documents, many of the 43rd began to desert their posts by the time they got to Petersburg.John Franklin was their to the bitter end.That tells me he wasn't a quitter and he was a survivor.I look at his grave now with a renewed sense of honor for him.
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Re: Interesting Info on John Franklin Etheridge
Linda Weiss 11/22/11