Compliments From a Tennessee Deserter!

Dr. Terry Jones forwarded a nice news piece from The New York Times dated March 16, 1862. In his piece it refers to a "loyal German" by the name of Michael Renz was forced into Confederate service and he deserted. Appears Renz was part of Co. D, 2nd Tennessee Infantry and deserted his unit on February 28th (CSR, Michael Renz). In the article Renz said the following of the Confederate soldiers based at Columbus, Kentucky:

"The Louisiana and Tennessee troops were the best drilled and equipped, some regiments from the former State being as fine men, physically and as admirably disciplined as any soldiers he ever saw. They were, too, generally healthy. Those from Arkansas died off rapidly."

The Louisiana units stationed at Columbus at this time would have been the 11th, 12th, 13th and 21st Louisiana Regiments.

Thank you Dr. Jones for the story.