On today's date in 1862, my great grandfather, Nathan R. Oakes, a private in the Confederate Army of Mississippi (soon to be renamed "The Army of Tennessee") turned 17 years of age. Having reenlisted earlier in March, following the fall of Forts Henry and Donelson, Pvt. Oakes served the last part of his 17th year in the newly formed 32nd Mississippi Infantry Regiment, participating in various skirmishes and maneuvers in and around Corinth, Mississippi. In just the past few days, however, he along with nearly 30,000 other troops, underwent an arduous rail transfer from Tupelo to Chattanooga. Now on his birthday, 150 years ago today, he is but a week away from his first real military campaign to Kentucky. Gen. Bragg is currently moving his army to a position above Chattanooga in preparation for the Kentucky invasion.
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