John R. Choate,
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I think I have found a candidate for the "Major Sparks of the Confederate Headquarters at Waco" mentioned several in Buck Barry's BUCK BARRY.
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Jesse W. Sparks, of the 1860 Nacogodoches Co TX cen p117, dwelling 10, enumerated with Jesse H. Muckleory, a wealthy merchant. Jesse W. Sparks, 22 Miss. (Mississippi, but could be Missouri). ..I could not find "Jesse W. Sparks" in the 1870 census and do not have access to the 1850 census. Please help.
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The American Civil War Database shows that "Jesse W. Sparks" was a Commissioned Lieutenant in the "CS Gen & Staff", which fits the bill, save the rank of Major. ..Of course, toward the end of the Civil War, esp. here in Texas, later promotions were not officially recorded. ..You'll remember that the Jun 1864 letter referred to "Major Sparks of the Confederate Headquarters at Waco".
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The Sifakis database may have this Jesse W. Sparks listed in Waco TX, but I do not have access to it.
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Caution: this Jesse W. Sparks was listed as "Jess W. Sparks" in some records.
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Comments would be appreciated, esp. about "Jesse W. Sparks" in the 1850 and 1870 US censuses.
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Patti, prochette@Juno.com