Christopher Columbus Davis

Orphaned at about age 7, he was raised by relatives in Mississippi. On 27 April 1861, by then a 21 year old farmer in Pine Grove, Tippah County, he enlisted as Private, Company D, 2nd Mississippi Infantry.

He was wounded in the right arm in action at Sharpsburg on 17 September 1862, left behind, and captured.

He was exchanged in December 1862 and promoted to 4th Sergeant on 16 February 1863. While carrying the colors he was wounded in both legs and captured at Gettysburg, PA on 3 July 1863. He was sent to a hospital in Chester, PA on 19 July and to the hospital in the prison at Point Lookout, MD on 4 October. On 26 February 1864 he joined the Federal Army as a "galvanized Yankee" and mustered as a Sergeant, 1st US Volunteers on 1 May in Norfolk, VA. He deserted that unit in June 1864 and returned to the 2nd Mississippi. He was promoted to Ensign, to date from 25 August 1864 then to First Lieutenant.

He returned to Mississippi and died, probably from suicide, "several years" after the war.

His service from a casualty list/roster for the Campaign provided by Michael Brasher, from his research in Compiled Service Records, Company rolls, and other period sources.

He was brother to Col. Benjamin Franklin Davis (USA, kia Beverly Ford, 1863), Augustus Romulus Davis (11th MS, kia Weldon Railroad, 1964), and Frances Marion Davis (11th MS, kia Gaines Mill, 1862). He was raised with cousin James H. Taylor who also died: while a POW at Point Lookout in 1864.

One of 4 brothers in the War, he was the only one who survived it. He may have taken his own life as a result of those losses. See much more about Christopher and his brothers in a fine post from Sharon Murray on her blog The Epitaph, source of many details above.

1839; Perry County, AL