Samuel W. Hankins while on furlough signed up with his father's 3rd (Ashcraft's) Mississippi Cavalry Battalion newly formed Company D on February 8, 1864 at Fulton, Mississippi as Junior 2nd Lieutenant, subsequently advanced to 1st Lieutenant May 4, 1864

His father E. L. Hankins was elected Major of the 3rd Mississippi Cavalry Battalion May 3, 1864

Company F (also called D) Ashcraft's 3rd Battalion Mississippi State Cavalry.

Commanded by Captain E. L. Hankins, promoted to Major
J. M. Sallis, 1st Lieutenant, promoted Captain
E. T. Leech, 2nd Lieutenant
Samuel W. Hankins, 2nd Lieutenant/1st Lieutenant
J. A. Mann, 2nd Lieutenant