My Confederate Ancestors

William H. Hanks (1829-1863) of Wilcox County Alabama -- William gave his life for the Confederate States Of America in the Battle of Port Gibson fought 4 miles west of the town of Port Gibson 26 miles south of Vicksburg, Mississippi, on May 1, 1863, preliminary to the seige of Vicksburg. William volunteered in the Confederate States Army with Captain J.J. Longmire's Company on December 19, 1861. He was officially enrolled on December 27, as a member of the 23rd Alabama Infantry Regiment. At the time of his death he was a 1st Sergeant in Company A of the 23rd Alabama infantry Regiment. Born January 1, 1829, William was 18 when his military experience began. On November 10, 1847, he enlisted in the U.S. Volunteer Service as a private under Captain Thomas E. Irby's Company B Infantry Battalion of the Alabama Volunteers to serve during the war with Mexico. At the close of the Mexican war he was in Mexico City. He was honorably discharged June 27, 1848, in Mobile, Alabama at the expiration of his term with the U.S. Volunteer Service. Thirty-four years and four months old at the time of his death William Howell Hanks was one of thousands throughout the Southland who died young trying to preserve the Southern way of life. I owe a lot to William Howell Hanks. Because of him I began the research of my family History. He inspired my love for geneaolgy and The War Between the States. He was a man of whom I take great pride in being a descendent of.

Jack Murry Williams was born in Perry County, Alabama. He and several of his brothers joined the 20th Alabama Infantry Regiment at Plantersville, Alabama. Jack was a Private in Company A of this Regiment. This unit fought in many engagements in Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina and Kentucky. In Jack's Confederate Pension Application Filed in 1899 it states that he was still suffering from being frostbitten on his feet during the War. After the War Jack moved to Wilcox County, Alabama. He was known for accidently naming the small community of Awin, Alabama and also served as the first Postmaster of Awin.

Henry Burkett was from the small community of Starlington, Alabama. He and several of his kin served in the 33rd Alabama Infantry Regiment. Henry was a Private in Company D of this Regiment. The 33rd fought in many tough battles throughout the South. He was killed in Battle on November 10, 1864 in Franklin, Tennessee located below Nashville. His wife Mary filed a Confederate Pension Application in 1899.

John Jackson Griffin was from Pine Apple, Alabama. He filed a Confederate Pension Application in 1930. This pension Application states that he enlisted for service with the Confederate States on September 13, 1864. It also states that he enlisted at Pollard, Alabama as a Private in Tom Stacey's Company of Clanton's Brigade (Cavalry). If everything on the Application is correct John Jackson Griffin would have been around 14 years old when he enlisted. *** If anyone has any information on this unit please let me know.