The Mississippi in the Civil War Message Board

9th Battn Sharpshooter Deserter

Gentlemen I am looking for information on a 9th Battn. Mississippi Sharpshooter who deserted and later joined a federal cavalry unit and when captured described himself as a former member of Tucker's Brigade Sharpshooter's. He was captured by member's of Sharp's Brigade (9th Battn. Miss. SS)along Shoals Creek in November of 1864. I believe he probably deserted during the time period of the summer of 1863 [there were many desertions in August along the Tennessee River] through May of 1864 when Gen. Tucker was wounded at Resaca and Gen. Sharp took command of the "High Pressure Brigade".

Two accounts from November 20-24, 1864 mention the hanging of a deserter. One account by Capt. William Van Davis of the 30th Miss. says he witnessed the hanging of a man named Ford. The other account by Nathaniel S. Wilkinson 7th Regt. Miss. Inf. mentions a Lt. in the Federal cavalry being captured who claimed he was formerly of Tucker's Sharpshooters and was hung.

Whether both events are describing the same hanging is not certain, but the coincidence is intriguing.

The only man that could possibly be a candidate is William Ford Co. C 9th Battn. Miss. SS because there is a man who was a Lt. in the Tenn. Cav. by that name and his unit was stationed on Shoals Creek during that time period.

If anyone can get a look at either of these men's records or knows whether the William Ford in the 9th Battn. Miss. Sharpshooters deserted and was hanged, we would have a new story to add to the history of the "High Pressure Brigade".

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9th Battn Sharpshooter Deserter
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