In a message dated 1/19/04 8:41:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, [email protected] writes: The regimental history for the 30th Battalion VA Sharpshooters has the following information: Davis, Samuel L. -- Private, Company A. Enlisted 9/15/1862 at Raleigh Court House, Raleigh County, VA/WV. AWOL 10/7/1862. Deserted 11/10/1862. Listed on 1850 Raleigh County Census as 23. Married Lucy Tyree on 6/24/1845. Eventually had 5 children. Lived in Town District. Brother of William Davis. Above is proof that he served in the 30th Battalion VA Sharpshooters, which is a Confederate unit. He was also with the 7th WV Cavalry, a Union regiment. His record there is verified by the following information from Ronald Ray Turner's book on the 7th WV Cavalry: Davis, Samuel -- Company H. Enlisted 25 December 1861 Raleigh County, VA/WV. 5' 10" tall, dark Complexion, hazel eyes, dark hair. On deserter's list as "may have joined rebel army." Born about 1827 in Raleigh County. William Davis, listed as a brother to Samuel, also served in the 30th Battalion VA Sharpshooters, CSA. His information is as follows: Davis, William -- Private in Company A. Enlisted 9/15/1862 at Raleigh Court House, Raleigh County, VA/WV. Absent on detached service 10/3118/62 roll. Deserted 11/10/1862. Captured at Elk River, Tennessee & sent to Camp Douglas. Released 12/1863 & joined the US Navy. Probably the William Davis listed on the 1860 Raleigh County Census as 27. Married to Lucinda (sister of W. G. Davis) on 12/1/1853. Was a farmer. Eventually had 9 children. Listed as age 48 on the 1880 Raleigh County Census. Lived in Town District. Born in 1833. Parents John & Mary. Brother of Samuel L. Davis. Remarried to Althetia Christian. on 11/17/1896. This is the first record I have came across which lists a Raleigh County citizen as serving in the Navy during the Civil War. I hope you find this information useful. Sincerely, Mike Peters [email protected]