George, thanks for your information. You are correct regarding A. J. Hemphill. Several years ago I wrote the MS Dept. of Archives and got copies of documents regarding both my gg grandfathers: A. J. Hemphill and S. V. Hughston. These documents were donated by the family in the 1950's. The disability leave document you refer to for AJH, signed by J. M. (?) Blackwell, Surgn. 31st Reg. Miss, 20 Nov 1862, was included. There was a later discharge document dated July 1, 1863, French Camp, MS, confirming the disability and discharging him from the service. This last document was signed by J. W. Hemphill, Surg. 34th Reg. Miss. AJH died shortly afterwards on 22 Sept 1863 at age 36. The family Bible shows J. W. Hemphill was A.J.'s older brother, by 2 yrs. A family letter from 1925 gave AJH's death as the result of wounds received, which appears to not be true.

Back to Charles R. Hemphill, the 3rd brother. How do we reconcile the info. Tim Burgess has regarding the grave at the McGavock Cemetery for Charles Robert and the Nov. 30, 1864 date of death for C. R. Hemphill in the family Bible (recorded in ink that is quite old). CRH's age in the Bible matches the 26 years Tim refers to. Would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions.

Thanks, Ed Rea

PS: The documents at the Dept. of Archives for S. V. Hughston included letters written home during the war. Several are quite interesting; I've posted sections of the letters before on this site. He served in the Miss. Conscription Dept. and later in a reserve cavalry unit.