I will try and answer your question. I have tried this board in the hopes someone might have specific info on him. I believe, as you, that his records may be lost. My grandfather said all boys of Mordicia Cunningham went to fight including him. Half fought for union and half for the south. The half for the union are well documented, but the rest have such common names it is hard to get specifics. I have got records from the National Archives that have done little good as to narrowing it down. The censuses you mention say he lived in Claiborne Co Tn. The paper that carries his obit burned down in the 1930's with the records. I have been searching for about 10 years now. The Southern units that they should be in have histories/rosters that are lost. Oral history says one of the boys fought with Ashby's 2nd Cavalry. Granddad said when they went to fight they all took their horses, grain, tack, and guns. I believe John, Joseph, James, and Franklin fought for the South. It would be hard for me to document all the sources I have searched over 10 years. There are 2 Cunninghams in Ashby's Cavalry, but dont seem to be Mordicia's sons, but they are probably kin. Many Cooks are in Ashby's and they are close kin. John's mother was a cook and his wife's bothers were Burchetts in Carter's 1st Tn Cavalry.

There is one JS Cunningham, in the 1st Tn Cavalry, that seems like the best candidate and he did time in Camp Morton prison with Marcus Cook, who died there, and he was John's uncle. Never able to verify middle initial as S. Great aunt's research in 1940's says that it is S.

Thanks for trying to help!

Rob Cunningham Huling