Confederate Army records in some instances listed this man as D. E. Cole, in others as Dolph E. Cole. Family records listed him as Adolphus E. Cole. He was born in North Carolina but was listed in the 1850 Census living in Murray County, Georgia, with wife Maraner, and a new born son named George T. Cole.

The 1860 Census listed the family, living at Cohutta Springs, as follows:

D. E. Cole, age 35, Mavanor Cole, age 34; John F. Cole, age 14; George S. Cole, age 10; Mary J. Cole, age 8; Martha J. Cole, age 5; and Charles M. Cole, age 1.

Yes, the two Censuses recorded John's middle initial differently. The wife's name is spelled differently. Such differences were not uncommon. There is no quick and easy way to determine which variation was correct.

D. E. Cole's military records also have a discrepancy. One document indicates that he enlisted in February 1862; another shows his enlistment as July 3, 1861. He enlisted as a Private in Company C, 11th Georgia Infantry.

His unit participated in military engagements in Fairfax, Virginia in 1861. In 1862, they fought at Yorktown, Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, and Bull Run (Manassas)–all in Virginia. The unit fought at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1-3, 1863. Private Cole was killed at Campbell Station, Tennessee, November 16, 1863.

 

Murray County Families