Tragedy of War–A Young Man’s Life Cut Short

Shadrack Myers was the fourth child and second son of twelve children born to Carmen Myers and Martha Ann Purvis. He was born in 1843 in Rankin County, Mississippi. His parents, Carmen and Martha had migrated, with a large caravan of families, from Chesterfield County, South Carolina sometime around 1820.

Shadrack was a young lad of seventeen when the Civil War started in January 1861. I’m sure he and a lot of young male teens of this era saw only the glamour in going off to war never thinking about the tragedy of such events. Nevertheless, on 24 August 1861, at age 17, Shadrack enlisted for one year into Company ‘A’ of the 6th Mississippi Volunteers.¹

The 6th Miss Volunteers were part of the Army of the Mississippi and their first battle order was to march to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee and retrieve battle causality and provide assistance.  Though unknown at the start of the march they were headed directly into the union stronghold of the 53rd Ohio Infantry under the command of Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman.

Shadrack Myers died on 10 November 1861; his civil war record does not say how he died. It’s alleged on-line that he died at the Battle of Shiloh but the Battle of Shiloh did not occur until 6-7 April 1862 almost 6 months after the death of Shadrack.

 
Transcription: ²
I James B. Enochs Capt. of Co. (A) 6^th Mifs Vols do hereby certify that Shadric Myers a private of said company born in the Co of Rankin State of Mifs aged 22 years black hair black eyes Dark complexion 6 feet high and by occupation a farmer when enlisted was enlisted at Grenada Mifs on the 24^th day of August 1861 to serve foe the period of one year, and died on the 10^th day of November A. D. 1861.
There is due him for arrears for pay from the 24^th day of August 1861 to the 1oth day of November 1861 being (2) months and 16 days:
At $11.00 per month = ………$27,00
For Commutation …………….25.00
                                                $52.00
                                          J. B. Enochs, Capt. Co (A)
                                                    6^th Mifs Vols
2^nd and Off
Oct 22, 1862

The above signature of Capt. Enochs appears to be genuine.
                                                   G.S. Jones, Clk
 


Transcription: ³

THE CONFEDERATE STATES
To Shadrach Myers, deceased
Late private of Capt.______ Co. A
6th Reg’t Mifs Vols Dr.
For pay from the 24th day of
August 1861 when he enlisted to
The 10th day of November 1861 date
of his death—2 months and 18 days.. $28.60
Commutation for Clothing……………$25.00
As per certificate of Capt.
J. B. Enochs herewith $53. 80
 
Payable to Carmen Myers, Father


Treasury Department
Second Auditor’s Office
Oct. 22 1861
G. S. Jones, Clerk


COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE
October 23 1862
Ew^d. R. Millar Clerk








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[1] Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 4 October 2015), entry for Shadrack Myers, Private; Company 'A', 6th Miss. Volunteers; Confederate.
12] https://www.fold3.com/image/20/71384504
[3] https://www.fold3.com/image/20/71385594