I did my thesis through Penn State, i got copies of his letters from a professor at the school who had been given them from a friend. What i did is take the letters and transcripe them, as best i could. Then i took the 1st Indiana Cavalry and followed his career with the unit by using the Offical Reports from the war, taking anything that mentioned the 1st Indiana and then weeding them out from there; ie anything from the western theater until he transfered west. From this i was able to piece together somewhat of a military career for Mr. Shugart. the 12th Indiana was somewhat more of a challenge being that it was only a one year unit that was re-organized and his time with the unit was so short. The one thing i wasnt able to do or find much of anything on was his time at the plantation, aside from his letters. My email address is bryan_guerrisi@nps.gov or LaCs33@yahoo.com I'd be interested to see what you have and let me know what you need maybe i have some things you do not.