My husband recalls his grandfather telling him the following account. We cannot, however, verify the information nor can we find his name recorded anywhere. He said that when Hood's Texas Brigade headed east, he joined the "horse brigade." He lived in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Texas. When that unit disbanned, he joined JEB Stuart's Cavalry. It seems that southern spies had learned of a shoe factory in the northwest (northwest of Gettysburg) and that Union troops were on their way there to get new shoes or boots. Lee sent JEB Stuart's Cavalry ahead to find the factory. As a runner approached the area northwest of Gettysburg, he could hear the gunfire from the unfinished capitol in Washington.

Unknown to Lee and Stuart, the government had changed the instructions and instead of going in from the northwest, the Union troops were going into Gettysburg from the east. This was General Meade's army. Lee wanted the shoes, too, and needed them for his soldiers. He decided to go in and get the shoes and get out before the Union army arrived.

What actually happened was that both armies arrived in Gettysburg about the same time and they collided. The Union army had the advantage as they came upon a ridge as JEBS's army was descending into a wheat field. Many were killed and Lee had to retreat. This was July 4.

My husband has actually seen the historical marker designating the site where Stuart and his army forged the river and spent the night before going on into Gettysburg.

We are wondering why we have not been able to find any record of his service and if anyone has any suggestions as to where we might look for such records.

Thank you very much.