WOW----how can I ever thank you enough?? This is fantastic as I had all but given up on the search, and thought maybe I was crazy until my cousin , who is really a civil war buff, gave me the "John" Cumby, when all I had to go on was Cumby or Martin. Still not sure which of these Cumby's was a runner for the confederate army, but there are 2 that look as though they did a great deal of traveling. Story is still that he was forced to join the union, after being caught a second time above the Chancellor battlefield, then when sent to fight the Indians was shot in the arm. Maybe if we could find the newspaper article about him, we could pinpoint which one it is, although I'm sure all these Cumbys were related.
Again you have been wonderful in helping me and I do so appreciate all the info.
Humbled lady
gloria
p.s. I have a long line of relatives on both sides of my father that have served to make this country a safe place to live plus helped lay the foundation.