Private James L. Akers of Company K, 2nd Mississippi Regiment was reported as killed on 3 July 1863 at Gettysburg. Perhaps he was mortally wounded in Pickett's charge and afterwards picked up and taken inside the Federal lines where he died and was buried. In any event it appears that he was later mistaken for a deceased Union soldier. He is believed by some to be buried as John Aker in the Gettysburg National Cemetery where his grave can be found in the Pennsylvania section, plot D-26. In addition, a number of the dead carried personal possessions such as a comb or knife, and these items were recorded and retained by the Cemetery Association when the bodies were removed to the cemetery. This "John Aker" carried a pipe.