Your record of A.J. Gardner must not be as complete as mine. It states that he was captured at Ft. Henry on Feb. 7, 1862 and "Took the oath at Alton, Ills.". It also states, "Discharged 20th March". Looking over other records from his unit, I believe many of them took the Oath.

Since his home near Dover was behind enemy lines, he had to travel next door to Montgomery County to join up. Evidently, he joined Co. B of Napiers Battalion of partisans as his record shows they were mustered into the Confederate Army in Dec. 1862, then became the 10th TN Cavalry in Feb. 1863, following the second Battle of Dover. Did your search bring up this second record of service? My cousin researched the census records extensively to rule out the possibility of an A.J. (or J.A.)Gardner living in Montgomery County in 1860. And his daughter said all the men in her family were away....at least until the second Battle of Dover.

I agree, "Jack" Gardner was a patriot and he was also a relatively old volunteer soldier, being born in 1820. He died in 1890, too soon to get a pension, but I saw to it that he got a proper VA marker a few years ago. All he had prior was a brick. And I appreciate your views because he was my ggg-grandfather.