21st Arkansas Infantry

Col. Cravens was one of my ancestors - an honorable leader and gentleman.

Benjamin P. Shirley born in St. Clair Co. Alabama in 1838 and died in Sharp Co., Ark. circa 1915. Joined Col. John McCarver's 14th Ark. Inf. on Oct. 24, 1861 at Pocahontas Ark. His regiment fought in the battles: Iuka and Corinth, Mississippi Campaign. Captured at Champion Hill/ Big Black River Bridge May 17, 1863 and sent first to Camp Morton, Indiana and later to Fort Delaware, Md. Paroled on December 25, 1863. Returned to Arkansas and joined Col. Thomas Freeman's Brigade, / Gen. Sterling Price's raid into Missouri in 1864. Surrendered July 5, 1865.

John C. Shirley (1841-1863) Entered the service under Col. John McCarver at Pocahontas, Ark. Oct. 24, 1861. Later this regiment became the 21st Arkansas Inf. Co. B. This regiment participated in the Iuka Corinth Campaign where John was wounded and captured at Corinth or Hatchie Bridge, Mississippi and sent to Fort Delaware, Md. He died in captivity on August 30, 1863 and is buried in the Confederate Cemetery at Finn Point, New Jersey.

(Collateral Ancester) Enlisted on September 23, 1861 at Pocahontas, AR. Died at Ft Delaware, 28Jun 1863 (Those who died at Ft Delaware were buried in trenches across the river in New Jersey at Finns Point.) He had been captured at Big Black River, MS on 5-17-63. He died in the Fort''s hospital on June-28-1863. I do not know the cause of death. He is buried at Finns Point, NJ, across the river from Fort Delaware and his name is inscribed on the monument there.

Enlisted at age 18, September 23, 1861 at Pocahontas, AR. Captured at Champion Hill, Big Black River, MS on May 17, 1863 and held in the field near Vicksburg until the end of June, 1863. Transferred by train to Fort Delaware. He was exchanged at City Point, VA on July 30, 1863 and died of diarrhea on August 15, 1863 at Petersburg General Hospital.

I am the great grandson of John M. Wasson Capt Wasson and his wife Amanda are buried in Evening Shade Cemetary, Sharp County, AR

May have been killed at Cornith, MS or Hatchie River Bridge, TN he was my Great, Great Grandfather

My 3rd great grandfather died on 30 Jun 1862 at Cornith, MS in Federal custody.