Family Stories of the 26th Miss

Private L.W. Shackelford of Co. H lived to 93 years of age and never grew tired of talking about his war experiences. He would sit on the front porch and for hours tell story after story.

One of his fondest recollections was when he became a sharpshooter for the 26th. During the Battle of the Wilderness, he claimed to have killed a Union General who was about 300 yards in front of his position!

Like many CW vets, he would talk about the hardships of war. He told of a time when the regiment was parched from thirst having endured an incredibly long march. Suddenly they came upon a herd of pigs in a wallow. What did they do? They ran off the pigs and drank from the wallow!

After the war, Shackelford became an itinerate Baptist preacher. He would preach in Northwest Arkansas for a ham, a dozen eggs or a slab of bacon. Wouldn't you have loved to hear his sermon illustrations?!

You can see a picture of a young 21 year old Shackelford at enlistment in "Photos of the 26th."

Submitted by Dr. Ben Israel, Fayetteville, Arkansas (G Grandson of Shackelford)

William F. Mitchell (Co. K) is remembered by his grandson, Tyson Mitchell of Sherman, MS, as a man with a sense of humor. Only a teenager at the time, Private Mitchell suffered a gunshot wound at Ft. Donelson. Seeking cover, he crawled behind a log. There he found another, older soldier who also had been wounded. Conversation turned to how they were going to escape their dilemma. Mitchell said he would wait until dark before trying to get back to his lines. The other fellow was impatient. He was determined to get back immediately. The older soldier had no more come out from behind the log when he was shot and killed. According to Mitchell many years later, this provided no small measure of encouragement for him to stay put until dark.

Submitted by Terri Zacher, Anchorage, Alaska (GG Granddaughter of Mitchell)

Sgt. Reuben Jeptha Pickett (Co. D) was one of the twelve soldiers of the 26th who surrendered with Lee at Appomattox. A delightful story has been handed down about Pickett in his elderly years. After losing a son-in-law in a gunfight in 1917, the elderly Pickett became a father figure to his grandson, Raymond P. James. As is the case with most young boys and parental authority, some friction was occasionally present. During the heat of one disagreement, the youthful grandson resorted to namecalling. Without considering the consequences, he called the old veteran a "damnyankee." According to the grandson's account some 40-odd years later, the old gentleman, armed with his cane, proceeded to pursue the youngster with such spirit and expediency that the thought of calling him that particularly unsavory name never came up again.

Submitted by Ray W. James, College Station, Texas (GG Grandson of R.J. Pickett and Son of Raymond P. James)

This section is made possible by you. Many thanks to those who have contributed!

Do you have a family story about your 26th Miss ancestor? E-mail me with the details and I'll post it here ASAP. When submitting your story, be sure to include the following information:

1. Name of your 26th Miss ancestor.
2. Your relationship to the soldier.
3. Your name (and e-mail address if you would like to be contacted by other readers).
4. City and state where you live.