David Ellis Putney, Jr.

His father died in 1847 and he was orphaned at age 9 when his mother died in 1850. He was then in the care of 18 year older brother John and other siblings on their farm in Fayette County, TN. He probably went by his middle name, Ellis. He enlisted at Columbus in Colorado County, TX on 28 October 1861 and mustered as a Private in Company B, 5th Texas Infantry as a substitute for E.T. Wright. He was promoted to 2nd Sergeant about June 1862.

He was with his company in Maryland and in action with them at Sharpsburg on 17 September 1862.

He was absent, ill in Richmond, VA hospitals from October into the Spring of 1863, then furloughed home to Texas on 5 March. His leave was extended to July, after which he did not return and was listed as a deserter.

He had enlisted ("transferred") as a Private in Company F, Brown's 35th Texas Cavalry on 28 August 1863 and served with them to at least November 1864. He was paroled at Columbus, TX on 29 June 1865 (as a member of Company B, 5th Texas).

His service from his Compiled Service Records,1 online from fold3. His presence at Sharpsburg from Captain Roberdeau of Company B. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1850. His gravesite is on Findagrave, source also of his picture, from a photograph of unknown provenance.

He married Mary Elizabeth "Bettie" Tanner (1846-1868) in November 1865. Her brother Calvin (1839-1862) was also in Company B, but was discharged for disability in December 1861. Her sister Henrietta married another Company B veteran, William Carlton in 1872.

c. 1841 in TN

02/03/1869; Colorado County, TX; burial in Tanner Cemetery, Columbus, TX