Joseph B. Sheppard/Shepherd, 30, Private, Capt. Pierce B. Anderson’s Company of Artillery,*, enlisted June 7, 1861, at Lynchburg, Va. by Maj. H. L. Clay for the war, advanced to 4th Corporal July 11,1861, returned to the ranks December ’21, 1861, receipted for an issue of clothing 4th Quarter, 1863, signing with an ‘X’ [his mark], recorded present at the December 31,1864 muster, no further records

* Subsequently designated as Captain Hardwicke’ Company Virginia Light Artillery (Lee Battery)

Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Virginia

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There are no subsequent Company muster rolls after December 31, 1864. Thus, I would believe, lacking any other evidence, that Joseph served until war’s end.

Lee Light Artilery was organized at Lynchburg, Virginia, in May, 1861. This unit was active in Lee's Cheat Mountain Campaign and Jackson's Valley operations, then served in J.W. Latimer's, R.S. Andrews', and C.M. Braxton's Battalion of Artillery, Army of Northern Virginia. It fought with the army from the Seven Days' Battles to Cold Harbor, then participated in Early's Shenandoah Valley Campaign. The battery took 90 men to Gettysburg and surrendered at Appomattox with 12. It was under the command of Captains Pierce B. Anderson, William W. Hardwicke, and Charles I. Raine.