The article lumps all buffaloes together as “pro-Union vigilantes.” There were three distinct groups: the “outliers,” who fled to escape the draft, the deserters who had gone AWOL from the Rebel army, and the outlaws who would rob from either side. Not all outliers and deserters became bushwhackers. Many became Union soldiers when the Federal armies came close enough for them to enlist. When the Unionist North Carolinians of the U.S. 2d North Carolina Infantry were captured at Plymouth, North Carolina, in 1864, Major General George E. Pickett had 22 of them hanged, alleging they were deserters. Such men deserve a better description than “vigilante.”

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Jim Maddox
Johnson City, Tennessee

RESCUE AT SANTA ROSA ISLAND

I read with great interest the articles about Florida in the war in your June issue. Pertaining to the Confederate attack on Santa Rosa Island on October 8, 1861 (”Florida’s War of Nerves”), I thought this excerpt from a letter of Dr. J.H. Randolph, whose son William was with the Confederate forces at Pensacola, might be of interest. The letter was written to my wife’s great-grandfather, George Fairbanks, and was dated October 17, 1861.

The absorbing topic with us is the late attack on the enemy on Santa Rosa. You have read all the particulars, but some personal items may interest you. William was detailed to accompany the expedition but Col. Anderson would not allow him, & went himself in command of one half of the forces. When the retreat was ordered Doctor Gamble seized a Federal boat and placing five of our wounded in it put off directly across the bay for our camp, drawing fire of the fort upon his boat. Five shot (cannon) were fired at him.

Arthur J. Lynch
Los Altos, California

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