Private Hamner served with Company D of the 43rd Alabama Regiment. One of the many battles that this unit engaged in was at the Battle of Meadow Bridge, Virginia on May 12, 1864. Here the Confederates, with the help of Mother Nature had an opportunity to capture Major General Sheridan and his cavalry force.
The day before at the Battle of Yellow Tavern, Confederate Major General J.E.B. Stuart was mortally wounded. Sensing victory, Sheridan pressed the attack through the night towards Richmond. Heavy rain soaked the area as they pressed forward, and at dawn Sheridan recognized that he in a potential trap. On his front, the Confederates had also prepared through the night, with units including the 43rd Alabama, reinforcing the defensive line. The Confederate cavalry threatening the rear of the column, and on his flank the swollen Chickahominy Creek. Sheridan decided to force a crossing of the Chickahominy using a rail road bridge known as Meadow Bridge.
While defending against Confederate attacks, Sheridan had the bridge approach repaired and was able to retreat across the creek. As the last of Sheridan’s cavalry cross the bridge it was destroyed to prevent pursuit.
To locate the final, solve:
33 14.5AB
87 38.0CD
A = The fourth digit in the year of his birth.
B = Add together the third and fourth digit in the year of his death.
C = The third digit in the year of his death.
D = Add together the first and third digits in the year of his birth.