Karla:

According to my information, Richard was rejected for service by the inspecting surgeon.

I have no details whatsoever about this rejection.

It is almost certain that he did not serve in any active campaign with the 43rd MS.

It is possible, however, that he served in another unit, either before or after his enlistment in the 43rd MS, to wit:

(1) Richard Shields, 1st Sgt., Capt. Cooper's Company of Infantry, aka "Brandon Company" (local defense) -- I don't know where this company was raised. The "Brandon" may indicate Brandon, MS, or may be a name honoring a local person

(2) Richard Shields, Pvt./Sgt./Lt., Co. B, 6th MS Infantry (This company was the "New Guard" and was raised in Rankin County, MS.)

(3) R.F. Shields, Pvt., Co. F, 2nd MS Infantry, Army of Ten-Thousand (Davidson's. (This company was the "Saltillo Rangers," raised in Itawamba County! Your Richard could be this man!)

(3) R.F. Shields, Pvt., Co. G, 12th MS Cavalry. (This company was "Nabor's Company," raised in Monroe, Lowndes, and "other places" in MS.)

(4) R.F. Shields, Pvt., Companies G & I, 10th MS Cavalry. (Co. G was "Pound's Company," and was raised in Monroe and Itawamba Counties, MS. This could be your Richard. Co. I was Stephens' Co. of Itawamba County, MS! Again, this could be your Richard!)

Service records for any and all of these men (including Richard Shields of the 43rd MS) may be ordered from the link at the top of this page. Your purchase helps support umpteen Civil War Message Boards!

Please see www.mississippiscv.org for capsule histories of most MS units. Click on the "Research Help" tab, then the MS unit histories tab.

Checking MS CS Pension Applications, I find that an L.A. Shields filed a Widow's Pension Application in 1900 in Itawamba County, MS. In her application, she stated that her husband was "R.F. Shields" of the 12th MS Cavalry. Was your Richard's wife L.A. Shields?

You can order pension records from the link at the top of this page, also.

Finally, checking MS CS Graves Registrations, I find that the Richard Shields of the 6th MS Infantry was born in 1829, died in 1889, and is buried in Rankin County, MS, so he is clearly not your Richard.

I hope this helps! -- Jim Huffman, Co-Historian, 43rd MS Infantry Vols, CSA