Lt. Col. Cyrus Sears would command the far right wing of the Union defensive line at Milliken’s Bend, and it was two companies of his 11th Louisiana who made their stand behind some cotton bales that brought a devastating enfilading … Continue reading →
Life, war, and survival during this era was extremely brutal and cruel. The film Free State of Jones is not for the squeamish. One of the first things that strikes you about this film is its intense brutality. And that’s … Continue reading →
Kate Shields was the widow of veteran Anderson Shields. In 1910, she testified that she was 68 years old and was born and lived in Claiborne County, Mississippi all her life. “I was born Kate Street,” she said, and both … Continue reading →
Henry Woods, a comrade of Anderson Shields, also testified in 1910 on behalf of Shields’ widow, Kate. Henry was 82 years old at the time, and living in Hermanville, Claiborne County, Mississippi. Like Anderson and Kate, Henry had also been … Continue reading →
Padon Turner was 71 years old in 1910 when he made his statement on behalf of Anderson Shields’ widow, Kate. In doing so, Padon [apparently pronounced like “Peyton”] provided information about his own background. He had been born in Hinds … Continue reading →