We have a mystery that we are hoping someone can help us with. We are researching my husband's ggg grandfather, James Thomas Ballard of Upson County, who enlisted as a private into the 5th GA Infantry Regiment Co. K (Upson Guards)on May 11, 1861 in Macon, GA by Captain Cole. Promoted to Full Sergeant 4th Class on June 1, 1861 (likely due to previous service in the Mexican War). Transferred on April 19, 1862 from Company K to Company L which was assigned to the 2nd Battalion Georgia Sharp Shooters as Company B when that battalion was organized July 18, 1862.

He died on July 24, 1863 at Academy Hospital in Chattanooga after being shot by provost guard. We have been searching for a grave for him for years and had assumed that he was likely buried somewhere in Chattanooga. However, we recently ordered a copy of his widow's (Susan Ballard) pension application for his service in the Mexican War. In it, several people (Mark Ellerbee, Samuel Ellerbee, Allie Ballard, Sarah L. Johnson)give affidavit that they knew that he served in that unit during the war and that she was his widow. Sarah L. Johnson gave affidavit that he "was brought home from Chattanooga, Tenn. dead on or about the 27th day of July 1863."

We know that his widow Susan Brady Ballard was buried at Hendricks Baptist Church Cemetery in Upson County(died May 11, 1893) and we would assume she would have been placed beside her husband as she never remarried. There are many unmarked graves in the cemetery, many with a CSA cross. We are hoping that someone can help us find out if he is one of those. We have attempted to contact the church (which is still active) with no success. This veteran of two American wars needs a marker. Any help will be very appreciated.