Michael Ashley b. 1833, Jackson Co. AL PVT. 1st Tennessee Vol.

When the Civil War began, Michael Ashley, youngest son of James and Phoebe, joined the Turney's 1st Regiment Tennessee Volunteers as a Private, April 29, 1861, for a period of one year. He was in Capt. Clement Arledge's Company F. At the time of enlistment, he was living in Salem, Franklin County, TN, with his wife, Lucinda Winkler, whom he had married December 8, 1852, and his 5 small children,Martha Jane, 9, W. B., 7, John 3, Lyley 2, and Mary 1. He was sent to Lynchburg, VA in May, where he was mustered in, with the others from Tennessee, to the Confederate Army. April 27, 1862, at Yorktown, VA Michael re-inlisted for two more years. He appears on the Registar of General Hospital, Petersburg, VA, from April 29, to May 19, 1862. September 29, 1862, he was listed among the prisoners taken and paroled at Warrenton, VA by the Army of the Potomac, 11th Corps. In October, 1862, he was home on medical leave, rejoining his unit in November. December 13, 1862 began the Battle of Fredricksburg, the 1st Tennessee being a part of the Rebel forces. This was to be the end of the war for Michael, as he was wounded that day. He died of his wounds, December 15, 1862, Leaving wife Lucinda, who was expecting their 6th child to care for their children Martha age 10, W. B. age 8, John age 4, Lyley age 3 and Mary age 2. Their son Simeon was born July 1863. Michael was described in his enlistment papers as being 27 years old, five feet eight or nine inches tall, fair complexion, blue eyes, sandy hair and by occupation a farmer.

Jonathan Jones Prince b. August 17, 1818, Buncombe Co. NC, Co.B, 49 Alabama Infantry

William H. Prince b. October 31, 1821, Buncombe Co. NC, 9th Alabama

When the Civil war began, Jesse and Delilah had two sons that joined the Southern Army. Jonathan, wife Mary Ann Hammers and children, Nancy age 15 Elizabeth age 11, Joanna age 9, Charity age 8 and William Jesse age 6, lived in DeKalb County, AL, at Lebanon. Jonathan at age 43 was among 400 DeKalb Countians that that joined the Confederate Army. He arrived at Camp Lookout near Chattanooga on December 27, 1861 with Capt. W. J. Haralson's DeKalb Rifles. They were mustered into service January 5, 1862 as Co. B 49 Alabama Infantry. Jonathan survived the War and in 1866, he and his family moved back to Franklin County, TN, finding there the conditions just as bad as Alabama. Many Tennesseans began fleeing the state due to the conditions. Jonathan and his family decided to leave also. In late 1868, they started out in a covered wagon for Alabama or Georgia. As they traveled across the Cumberland Mountains, the Princes were ambushed and robbed. In the scuffle, Jonathan was taken by the robbers and never seen again. It has always been assumed he was killed within a short distance of the robbery scene and his body was left on the mountain. Following this tragedy, Mary Ann and her children, one only a few months old, returned to the foot of the mountain to Cowan.

William also served with the Confederate army from Jackson County, AL. He made it through the War and lived out his life at Estill Fork in the Paint Rock Valley. Because of his Civil War service he was referred to as "Cap'n Billy" by friends and neighbors. William and his wife, Eliza Jane Trice, whom he married in 1847, are buried in the Prince Cemetery at Estill Fork.

William M. Prince b. August 18, 1832, Indiana, 21st Arkansas Infantry

Peter Prince b. Dec. 1833, Jackson Co. AL, 21st Arkansas Infantry

Jacob Prince b. April 2, 1836, Jackson Co. AL, 11th Arkansas Infantry

Joseph Prince b. 1843, Jackson Co. AL, 11th Arkansas Infantry.

Zachariah and Suvannah's sons answered the call from Arkansas. William and Peter served with the 21st Arkansas Infantry. Peter was shot in the hip during a battle and remained a cripple. While he was away, Yankee soldiers coming through Clark County burned his home and tortured his family, wife Mary Ann Williams and daughter Mary Jane, age 4. Peter died Sept. 11, 1883 in Pike County, AR and is buried in the Howerton Family Cemetery. Mary Ann applied for and received his Confederate Pension from the State of Arkansas from 1914 til her death May 6, 1917. Mary Ann is buried in the Pike city Cemetery, Pike City, AR. Peter and Mary Ann's children were born after he returned from war, except for Mary Jane.

William had married Eliza Estepp, March 24, 1854 In Jackson COunty, and they had moved to Hot Springs County the summer of 1854 with his parents and siblings. William died June 26, 1922. He and Eliza are buried near Bismarck, AR. They had no children.

Jacob and Joseph served with the 11th Arkansas Volunteers. The 11th was organized in Saline County July, 1861. In November was stationed at Island No. 10 on the Mississippi river. Island No. 10 was surrendered April 15, 1862, after a terrific bombardment by the enemy's mortar-boats and gunboats, aided by an overflow which nearly submerged the island. The Confederate defenses consisted of dissolving earthworks and twenty guns. The prisoners, including Jacob and Joseph were transported to Camp Butler near Springfield, ILL, then to Camp Chase, Chicago. The prisoners were taken to Vicksburg, Miss. in September, 1862, exchanged for Union prisoners of war. Jacob made it home after the war, married Elizabeth Killian, who died soon after daughter Rebecca was born in 1868. He then married her sister, Phoebe. Jacob died Aug. 2, 1899. He and Phoebe are buried near Bismarck, AR. Joseph died sometime in 1863, and lays in an unknown grave on one of the many battlefields of the Civil War.

Benjamin W. Crisp b. 1842, LA Pvt. Co. F, 6th Reg. AR Inf. Pvt. Co. F, Bell's Reg. AR Inf

William M. Crisp b. 1838, MS Pvt. Co. D, 21st MS Inf.

William and Cordelia Crisp's sons also became soldiers for the Confederacy during the Civil War. Sons William and Benjamin answered the call to arms. Benjamin enlisted July 16, 1861 at Arkadelphia, Clark Co. AR for a period of one year. His unit was Co. F. 6th Regiment, AR Inf. He was discharged after his one year tour, at Tupelo, Mississippi, since he was a "non conscript". He received his back pay of $11.00 per month, plus 1 cent per mile, 200 miles from Tupelo to Arkadelphia, $20.00, for a total of $51.90. Transportation back to Arkadelphia was not furnished. According to his discharge papers, Benjamin was 17 years old, five ft. six inches tall, dark complexion, blue eyes, black hair and by occupation, a farmer. His date of discharge was July 16, 1862. Benjamin returned to Clark County, and the following November 3, 1862, he married Tabethy Hoelman, daughter of a neighbor. But, he was not through with the War, yet. On February 9, 1863, he enlisted again, Co. F. Bells Regiment, Arkansas Infantry. But, this time, Benjamin should have stayed Home. On July 4, 1863, at the Battle of Helena, he was captured. Helena, located in Phillips county, had been occupied by Union General Samuel R, Curtis since June 1962 and was a thorn in the South's side. Although the Federals had shown no inclination to invade Arkansas, they had staged cotton raids that picked up not only cotton, but slaves. Helena was a major base used by Grant as he pushed towards Vicksburg. To relieve some of the pressure on Vicksburg, and to remove a great advantage to the enemy, General Theophilus Holmes planned an attack for July 4, 1863. The Federals had a formidable position with 4,129 officers and men, under General Benjamin Prentiss, well dug in. They had a major fortification of seige guns, with a range of one mile, and smaller batteries along a ridge parallel to the Mississippi. Trees had been cut to give the cannon a clear field of fire. Holmes attacked with 7,640 men in 3 columns, led by Generals, John Marmaduke, Sterling Price and james F. Fagan. Marmaduke's column was pinned down by the Federals. A fierce battle ensued, and with the Confederates on the point of victory, the forces fell apart in the confusion of the battle. The relief force was caught in a crossfire from Battery D's defenders, the guns of Fort Curtiss, and the gunboat Tyler, off shore. Unable to gain control of his troops, Holmes ordered a retreat after about 5 hours of battle. The General reported he had lost 173, 687 wounded, and 776 missing. Many of the missing had been captured in the attack on Battery D.The Federals lost 57, 146 wounded and 36 missing. Several of the principles had fought at other battles in the state, Pea Ridge (Elkhorn Tavern, Prairie Grove, and Wilson's Creek in SW Missouri. Benjamin was captured and sent by the steamer, "Tycoon" to Memphis, Tennessee and from there on the steamer, "Silver Moon" to Alton, IL arriving there, July 9, 1863. He was transferred to Fort Delaware, Delaware, February 29, 1864. From September 25 to October 3, 1863 Benjamin was in the U.S. Army Post Hospital with intermitant fever. He stayed a prisoner of War at Fort Delaware, until he was sent to City Point, James River, Va as part of 3,499 paroled Confederate Prisoners of War, including 143 officers. They were released March 7, 1865. Benjamin made his way back to Arkansas, where Tabethy and young son, Benjamin waited.

Benjamin's older brother, William, also joined the Confederacy. He enlisted May, 1861 and served with Co. D. 21st Mississippi Infantry. He served with the same regiment, until he was surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse, April 9, 1865, and paroled April 10, 1865 to return home. William lived in Wilkenson Co. MS until 1895, moved to Sunflower Co. for 2 years, then to Indian Territory, where he applied for and received a Confederate pension from the state of Oklahoma in 1915. At that time he was living in Atoka County, near Limestone Gap.

Reuben Reeves Watters b. 1842 AL Pvt. Co. K, 28 AL Infantry, Capt. Harris' Co., Frazer's Reg't. Alabama Volunteers

Reuben Watters joined the Confederate Army, March 29, 1862 at Perrysville, Perry Co. AL at age 18.. He was signed by Capt. C. R. Harris, for 3 years or the war. He is listed present on muster rolls March 29 - to Jan. 1863. He appears on a register of Prisoners of War, being captured at Stones River, Murfreesboro TN Jan. 9, 1863, sent to Camp Morton IN Feb. 27, 1863. It is then noted he was paroled at Louisville, KY no date, but was prior to Dec. 31 1863. He is then listed on muster roll Dec. 31, 1863 to Feb. 27, 1864, when he re-enlisted for the war. He is listed again on muster roll April 1, 1864, near Dalton GA.

He is then listed on the muster roll as 4th Corp., Co. F, 24th Reg't Alabama Vols. This is the muster roll of Officers and men paroled in accordance with the terms of a Military Convention entered into the 26th day of April, 1865, between General Joseph E, Johnston, Commanding, Confederate Army and Major General W. T. Sherman, Commanding United States Army in North Carolina. Paroled at Greensboro NC May 1, 1865