Thanks for the outstanding response. Regarding the 1st Illinois Light Artillery, Co. K., I discovered yesterday that they were equipped, during "Grierson's Raid" with 4 or 6 of the rare and "infamous", Woodruff guns. I'm now trying to determine, if they were still equipped with these guns in February of 1864 or not.

The only designated battery, shown in the OOB for Sooy Smith's column is the 1st Illinois Artillery, Battery "K". I am still of the belief, that the lion's share of the guns attributed to Smith's column were mountain howitzer batteries, included within the cavalry regiments.

I believe the 80 gun figure applies to ALL of the Meridian Campaign Union forces, not just Sooy Smith's column.

Jim