John Sparks Black

In 1860 he was a 15 year old farmer living with his parents, 3 siblings, and 4 slaves on their farm at Rockdale in Randolph County, AL. Giving his age as 17 and occupation as shoemaker, he enlisted in Randolph County, AL on 26 July 1861 and mustered a Private in Company K, 13th Alabama Infantry. He was appointed 4th Corporal on 14 July 1862.

He was with his company in action on South Mountain on 14 September and was wounded at Sharpsburg on 17 September 1862.

He was in a hospital in Richmond, VA by 26 September and furloughed home on 8 October. He was reduced to Private in November 1862, for absence, and was wounded again, by a gunshot to his right shoulder at Chancellorsville, VA on 3 May 1863. He was back with his unit by October 1863 and was wounded for the third time, by a gunshot to his left arm in the Wilderness, VA on 6 May 1864. He was captured in a Richmond, VA hospital on 3 April 1865 with no later military record.

He studied medicine and practiced at Lineville, AL. He went to Texas in 1878 and by 1880 and to at least 1900 he was a practicing physician in Titus County, TX. He moved to Fannin County, TX in 1901.

His service from his Compiled Service Records,1 online from fold3 and the Archives.2 Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860, 1880, 1900. His gravesite is on Findagrave, source also of a fine post-war photograph.

He married Elnora Kennedy (1852-1924) in December 1870 and they had 4 children.

His brother Joseph was also in Company K and wounded at Sharpsburg.

03/28/1845; Fayette County, GA

06/12/1912; Lannius, TX; burial in Oakwood Cemetery, Honey Grove, TX