"The 12th day of May 1864, a day memorable in the history of the war, was a sad day for the history of the Autauga Rifles. Two more of its noblest spirits yielded up their lives for the cause they loved so well. Lieut. James L. Wilkinson received a mortal wound in the neck which paralyzed his body, and, though he lived several hours, he could not speak to those around him. How much we missed him. None can conceive except those who shared his company through so many trying scenes. No words can express the feelings that overcame us that night as we spread our blankets on that stricken field alone…." Sources: Reminiscences of The Autauga Rifles by Lt. James Monroe Thompson 

"Henry Howard a servant provided by Mr. L. Howard and Colonel. J. B. Wilkinson for their sons and the mess No. 7, to which they belonged of which I was a member. Henry was faithful to us on all occasions and of the daily prayers that went up for our success and safety, his was always among them.

Pardon me just here to relate an incident that occurred to show the fidelity of this faithful servant. When Lieut. James L. Wilkinson was killed at Spotsylvania, he constructed a rude coffin and buried him beside Newel M. Stoudenmire, a messmate of ours, who had been killed a few days before. Lieutenant Wilkinson had a gold coin given him by his mother when he first left home which he prized and carried as a souvenir. Henry found this in his pocket, with some other things, which he turned over to the Captain of our company, and are still in possession of his mother’s family. He nailed a board above their graves on the trees under which they lay, and after the war Dr. John Wilkinson and N. M. Stoudenmire’s father took Henry with them to Virginia and brought their bodies home with them, also the remains of L. T. Golson, who was killed at Chancellorsville….." Sources: Reminiscences of The Autauga Rifles by Lt. James Monroe Thompson