Gardner Family History-2

We, the people of the Confederate States, each State acting in its sovereign and independent character, in order to form a permanent federal government, extablish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity--invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God--do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Confederate States of America.

R. J. McDonald enlisted in October of 1861 in Company E, 32nd Tenessee Regiment, J. M. Bass-captain. He was wounded three times. Fort Donelson-hip. Chicamanga-left leg. (Marriata)-left arm. Although all three were considered flesh wounds, later in life he was considered half disabled because of them. The unit was disbanded at Duck River, Tennessee, 1864. Took the oath of allegence to US on March 1865(reason being, to keep from going to prison). Applied for pension in 1904. At the time, he had a wife, four boys and four daughters(one blind) ages 55, 34,30,28,23,22,18,16 and 13. Had no real property only 2 mules and 200 dollars. Apparently, the federal government had him and others listed as deserters, due to the fact that at one time when the unit was retreating through their home areas, many of the men went home for a few days. That was eventually cleared up and his pension number was 4994. There are several letters stating this fact, one from a Major Hickman said he was a worthy soldier who did serve faithfully part of the time in rags and barefooted.