Hello Michael,
Thank you so very much for responding. Yes, I have a name--Corpl. Elijah James Sherrill b. March 17, 1840 (Sherrill bible records.) I have his military records from DC. Per the original Company Muster-in Roll he joined for duty July 26, 1861-age 20--in Decatur, Illinois for 3 years--service beginning August 5, 1861--at the top it says "Capt. Long's Co..Christian County Guards, Illinois Vols." The bottom of that muster roll says "this organization subsequently became Co. G, 41 Reg't Ill. Inf." His family was living in Christian County, Illinois--near Taylorville.The next Company Muster Roll shows him present August 5-August 31, 1861 but with the enrollment location of Taylorville, Illinois. With one exception (Sept. and Oct., 1861, absent on sick furlough Christian County, Illinois) his muster roll records indicate he was consistently present until he died at the massacre on July 12, 1863 at Jackson, Mississippi.

I have a picture of him in uniform with an 1861 Colt Army, open top, black powder pistol. His uniform is different-particularly his hat--very different--more of a berret with braiding around the bottom.(Can't find a picture anywhere on line of any soldier with a hat like this.) A time back, it was suggested to me that Co. G. (or him) might have been Scottish because of his hat--I have no clue. I'm very interested in knowing if he was of Scottish descent--and the details of his company. He was one of several of my great and gg uncles who fought in the Civil War--one of two who died in the field.(He's my blood line--not related by marriage.) I'm blessed with his picture. I also want to locate his burial site and pay respects.

Thanks for any ideas, thoughts, or direction you can point me in. I've read the account of the "Hornets Nest" reputation--they were some serious "farming" fighters--the best I understand in the Union Army, but as you probably know, died needlessly because of bad orders.

Note: Sherrill often misspelled--Sherell, Shewill, Shirwell--just a few versions--makes it harder to locate him. He would have been fighting against many of his Southern 1st cousins--can't imagine that agony.

Thanks Again!
Marsha