My Grgrgrandfather, James Madison Hicks was enlisted in Co F of the 50th Tennesse Infantry. He was born in 1838 (I will get the exact date if needed)in Kentucky. Son of John Wesley Hicks and ? James married Parthena Sills of in March 1861 in Stewart County, Tennessee. According to family information, he escaped at Fort Donelson with Nathan Bedford Forrest. From there I do not know where he went, but his service records simply states that he was not present for roll call due to escaping Fort Donelson at the time of surrender. He came home at some time blind. My mother said that the Yankees' threw something in his eyes that blinded him. I know he was truly blind because the 1870 census states that he was blind. Another story is that when he was in the confederate trenches, one of his comrades stood up to look and about that time he seen a canon ball coming; he said "here comes a canonball as big as...." and I guess it took his head off. I do not know if this happened at Fort Donelson or where. I guess when James escaped with Forrest they forded at Lick Creek and the water was icy and extremely cold to which his pants froze to his legs.
James died in 1878 in Stewart County, of what I do not know. He is burried at the Acree Cemetery along with his wife and several of his children.
I have had alot of trouble finding information out about him. If you come across anything that may be of benefit. It would be greatly appreciated.