It appears that Benjamin A. and Shelton Swords were members of Capt. Henry Milner's "Russell Rangers", which was Company "H" of Lt.Col. Nathan B. Forrest's Cavalry Battalion. There are death claims for both men, one filed on Feb. 12, 1863, for Benjamin A. Swords, and another dated July 2, 1863 for Shelton Swords. The claim for Shelton Swords was filed by Jonathan G. Swords and states his place of death at Camp Douglas IL.

Milner's "Russell Rangers" were recruited in Marshall County and organized at Guntersville, Alabama, September 15, 1861. Members later formed Company "H" of Russell's 4th Alabama Cavalry Regiment when that command organized, probably at Columbia TN about November 23, 1862.

James B. Swords enlisted at Guntersville AL on September 1, 1862 in a company raised by Capt. Thos. M. Patterson. Shown as age 25, he was appointed 4th Sergeant when the during initial company organization. Swords was captured at Parker’s Crossroads TN December 31, 1862 (Forrest's famous "charge both ways" battle); exchanged at City Point VA April 4, 1863. Swords also appears on roll as captured at Roarke’s Cove TN October 7, 1863. This was during Wheeler's attempt to escape from central Tennessee. Since there are no later records, he may have been killed that day during Wheeler's defeat at Farmington TN.

Thomas T. Swords enlisted at the same time and place, and appears on roll as age 29. He deserted at Courtland AL July 3, 1863; it's not clear to me what he would have been doing at Courtland. At the time Wheeler's Cavalry should have been posted near the Elk River, covering Bragg's retreat from middle Tennessee.

Federal records show that this man was captured in Bradley Co. TN December 28, 1863, and sent to prison at Rock Island IL. It would appear that Swords rejoined his unit since Russell's 4th Cavalry would have been serving under Longstreet's command in eastern Tennessee at the time. Swords was exchanged about Feb. 25, 1865, and furloughed home from a Richmond VA hospital on Mar. 7, 1865.

The last two men enlisted in Capt. Patterson's command, which served as Company "A", 15th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion. When this company was assigned to Russell's 4th Alabama Cavalry, it merged with a unit raised by Capt. James W. Fennell which had been Company "E", 15th Tennessee Cavalry Battalion. Both had been recruited in Marshall County. The merged command was designated Company "I" of Russell's 4th Alabama Cavalry Regiment.