Hello -- I'm wondering if anyone has info on the military records of my GGG Grandfather, Samuel Lewis "Ravers" Davis. He was b. 7 Jul 1827 and d. 25 Dec 1905. Resided in Maple Fork, Raleigh Co. The family story is that he was originally in the Confederate Army but deserted and joined the Union Army on 25 December 1862. He enlisted (along with his brother-in-law, Granville Tyree) at the Beckley Courthouse. He is said to have been Pvt. C.A., 30th Battallion, Sharp Shooter, Raleigh Co. According to family stories, after he joined the Union Army (Abbott's Battallion), he was worried about his family who resided in Confederate-held territory. He slipped through the Confederate lines, took a uniform from a Confederate Solider (no details about how he accomplished this feat) and managed to get home to see his family. When he tried to return he was captured by Union soldiers who thought he was a spy. He was almost shot but, just in the nick of time, Capt. Abbott recognized him. I have a coopy of a photo of Ravers Davis in his uniform holding a pistol...he's posing with his friend, Joseph A. Edmunds (Pvt. Co A., 2nd VA, Jefferson Co., according to the notes on the back of the photo). I'd love to know if these stories are true...is there any record of his service in the Confederate Army? ....One more detail from family stories...during his military service he suffered eye injuries and had typhoid. Any Information Appreciated! Marguerite Mathews Families I'm researching: Blythe, Bowyer, Copeland, Davis, Humphreys, Jarrell, Kirby, Mankins, Mathews, McDaniels, Meadows, Raines, Tyree.