What makes researching him tricky is, there are records showing him as Jack Minton, John Mnton, John S. Minton, and John L. Minton. There are records showing his capture date as 529/63, 6/1/63 and 6/27/63. He also shows absent on one muster roll from Jan 28-May 28, 1863. I've found records showing him as dying as POW at Ft Delaware on 10/30/63 and 11/20/63, Most show small pox as the cause. I've found two John Minton's in the 1860 census, who could be the Minton above (one my ancestor, John MInton, Jr. from Smith County, as well as another John Minton, from Nashville). Both were about the same age. The deceased POW did enter as a Private soldier on July 22, 1862. That would tend to lean towards the non-relative John Minton. However, some of the reasons I still believe he could have been my ancestor include the following: John Minton, Jr., my ancestor died between 1863-1870, no further information. The captured POW was captured in Smith County, my ancestor's home. He was in a cavalry unit. My other relatives who served in the Confederacy also were in cavalry units. Both the 4th Tennessee and 8th Tennessee did have some recruits from Smith County.