Pettus Guards Private John McDonald wrote home on April 4, 1863, according to Jess N. McLean’s Official Records.

“….well Susan, since I began this letter, one of our company has been discharged. David Malone is the man.

“He lost his left arm at Sharpsburg, Maryland, and he has just now got his discharge. A fine stout young man [and] is turned loose to shift for himself with one arm.”

That Saturday had dawned clear and cold, Spartan Band diarist William H. Hill recorded. By evening, it had turned cloudy and windy and, at 8 p.m., snow was falling again.