55th Tennessee Infantry

John W. was born Sept 7 1841 henderson co Tn Enlisted in confederate army under Capt John Howard was at the battle of Island No 10 New Madrid Mo captured and taken prisoner to Camp Douglas at Chicago signed the letter of oath and released to Vicksburg to be exchanged. He walked the Natchez Trace home to henderson county married, raised a large family and begin to farm. He is the grandson of Daniel Small, who was married to Mary Hutchins, grand-daughter of Col John Donnelson from Nashville,President Andrew Jackson was Marys uncle.

Willliam was born in 1832 in Dixon Springs, Smith County Tenn. In 1860 he is at that location and 27 years old. There are two Tennessee Regiments designated as the 55th. Brown's and Mckoin's. [ Col. James L. Mckoins]. William enlisted 23 Dec 1861 in Capt. Alexander R Dillehay's Co. Tenn. Vols' at Camp Trousdale. He was enlisted by Col A Mitchell for 12 months. He has two cards in his archival file which states see 44th Tenn. Infantry. The reason why is that the first battle of the 55th & 44th was at Shiloh aka Pittsburg Landing, which was fought on 6 & 7th of April 1862 in which both the 55th and 44th suffered catastrophic casualties. The survivors were consolidated to form the 44th Consolidated Tenn. Infantry. William's date of death and place of burial is not known. I have not found him in the 44th and suggest that he probably died at Shilo or of wounds soon afterwards. He left a wife and four children the youngest about a year old. Deo Vindice

Captured at Island No. 10. Sent to Camp Douglas. Paroled and exchanged at Vicksburg. Rejoined regiment and remained until end of war, Paroled at Greensboro, N.C; May 1, 1865