CS Shockley, Manoah

Pollaco · Nov 28, 2019

It sounds like a part of this bio is missing. Who is Barton and Jack Smith?And William Alexander?

Virginia Dave · Nov 29, 2019

Polloco said:
It sounds like a part of this bio is missing. Who is Barton and Jack Smith?And William Alexander?

This is part of what we are trying to piece together. My GG Grandfather was also at Libby Prison for two years after the war. He was released, but I can't find anything about a trial or if he was innocent or not of the accused murder. He was supposed to have murdered Barton and Jack Smith that were neighbors and supposedly deserters.

@gentlemanrob is trying to help me put together a better picture of what happened. I have more documents that I can post if anyone else is interested in helping research with us. I am really a newby at doing research, and am limited in my understanding of where to look on a limited budget. LOL

Virginia Dave · Nov 29, 2019

gentlemanrob said:
John Manoah "Manoah" Shockley:
Born: March 15, 1823
Birthplace: Carroll County Virginia
Father: John Floyd Shockley Sr. 1792 – 1863
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia) View attachment 336310
Mother: Pheba Scudders 1802 – 1861
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
1st Wife: Jestin Beamer 1829 – 1868
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
Married: December 14, 1847 in Hillsville Virginia
2nd Wife: Celesta Montgomery 1837 – 1915
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
Married: November 17, 1868 in Carroll County Virginia
Children:
Canada Hardin Shockley 1849 – 1932
(Buried: Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery Aldie Virginia)
Peter Toliver Shockley 1852 – 1921
(Buried: Watson Cemetery Carroll County Virginia)
Matilda Cosby Shockley Jennings 1854 – 1928
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
John Washington Shockley 1856 – 1938
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
Orlena Shockley Jennings 1859 – 1932
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
Cloyd Manoah Shockley 1861 – 1938
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
Aldora L. Shockley 1866 – 1867
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
Bertina Ellenor Shockley Staples 1871 – 1966
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
French Grover Shockley 1873 – 1943
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
Virginia Cora Shockley Montgomery 1875 – 1946
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
Wise Shockley 1877 – 1949
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
Rush Shockley 1879 – 1962
(Buried: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia)
Occupation before War:
Farmer of 1600 Acres in Hillsville Virginia
Civil War Career:
He was in the home guard in the civil war. Then he was enlisted. He became Captain of Barr's battery. He was captured in Farmville, VA during Lee's retreat. He was Jailed for two years in Newport News military prison. His brother Col. Legrand Shockley was killed at the first battle of Saltville VA. Manoah had to bring his body back from the battle to bury him. The Home Guard was within its rights to shoot deserters, but this was not the usual practice; the killing of Barton and Jack Smith looks suspiciously like judicial murder. While nothing is said explicitly, William Alexander's desire to run for county magistrate (23 March 1864) may have been motivated for a desire to get the whip-hand over those who had been harassing his family. The letters say nothing about the origins of the quarrel between the Shockleys of Hillsville and Smiths of Pine Creek
Occupation after War:
Farmer in Hillsville Carroll County Virginia

Died: February 7, 1917
Place of Death: Carroll County Virginia
Age at time of Death: 93 years old
Burial Place: Shockley Cemetery Hillsville Virginia

Many thanks @gentlemanrob

dhh712 · Dec 8, 2019

What a list of children! Love the names. Nearly all of them, from a quick skim through the list, lived a good long while, at least one into her 90s! You can see the genetic connection there, I find that interesting. I wonder what happened to his first wife, like what she died from; their little girl Aldora is listed as the only one to die in infancy (or at least not over two), and then the mother the next year. Maybe an illness, but it could have been a few things.

Virginia Dave · Dec 8, 2019

dhh712 said:
What a list of children! Love the names. Nearly all of them, from a quick skim through the list, lived a good long while, at least one into her 90s! You can see the genetic connection there, I find that interesting. I wonder what happened to his first wife, like what she died from; their little girl Aldora is listed as the only one to die in infancy (or at least not over two), and then the mother the next year. Maybe an illness, but it could have been a few things.

Even on my mothers side of the family, also from the Carroll County (Grayson County) lived long lives. Her father was in his 70's when my mother was born. When he was 75 she was sent to live with her brother in Hillsville. She passed away in 2011 at 89 and was alert and coherent until a few days before passing. I hope I am so l am so lucky.

Virginia Dave · Oct 26, 2020

Still researching my GGG Grandfather. I wanted to know more about his last days before capture. Here is a little of what I have found.

On April 6, 1865 the retreating Rebel column fended off Federal forces at several points along the line of retreat at Deatonsville, Lockett Farm, Harper's Farm, Hillsman's Farm. Finally, after having repelled their enemies at these points during the day, the Rebels turned on their enemies and formed a main battle line at Sayler's Creek. Barr's Battery, and the rest of Stiles' Battalion, was the right flank of Crutchfield's Brigade which was to the right of center in the Confederate battle line. On Stiles' right was the 18th Georgia Battalion commanded by Major William S. Basinger. The 18th Georgia was the right flank of Crutchfield's Brigade. The 18th had also been in the Chaffin's Bluff Line. Maj. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw's Division was the extreme right of the Confederate line.

In an after action report Major Basinger said of Stiles' Battalion..."There was something surprising in their perfect steadiness and order...". This should not have surprised the Georgia offficer as most of the members of Stiles' Battalion had seen action at various places before being assigned to the Chaffin's Bluff Line.

Pursuing Federal forces opened fire on the Rebels with artillery, using solid shot and shells. The Confederates had no artillery of their own with which to respond. There was no protection from the Federal fire except broom sage and scrub pine. The Rebels withstood the galling fire with steadiness and courage.

After a while the Federal fire slackened and the blue infantry formed their lines to advance, but they hesitated. Upon seeing their enemies hesitate, Stiles' Battalion charged the Yankees. It was this action which started the general advance on the Union lines.

In his report on the action Major Basinger, being closest to Stiles' men said "...such was the eagerness of Major Stiles' men, that upon perceiving the enemy's hesitation, sprang up and rushed upon them, fixing bayonets as they advanced".*****( To read Major Basinger's report in full, go to the dedication page of this site).

Judging from Major Basinger's observation of the bayonet charge at Sayler's Creek, it would appear that the nom de guerre "The Louisiana Tigers" for Barr's Battery was NOT a misnomer. Very seldom during the Civil War did artillerymen get to participate in a bayonet charge!

At first, stunned by the fury and audacity of the Rebels, the Federals gave way and were pushed back across Sayler's Creek. After reforming the Yankees counter attacked and by sheer weight of numbers overwhelmed the Confederate line. The fighting became vicious, erupting into hand to hand combat along the line. The Rebels, starved and ragged( the only rations issued for three days had been one pound of corn meal and one-third pound of bacon), disintegrated under the onslaught. Having no other recourse, outgunned and outmanned, they threw down their weapons and began to surrender. It must be noted that Stiles' Battalion and the 18th Georgia Battalion DID NOT surrender until word reached them that General Ewell had surrendered the Corps and all troops were to follow suit! Thousands were killed,wounded, or captured. Among the prisoners was the Division Commander, Gen. G.W.C.Lee (the son of Gen. Robert E. Lee). Col. Crutchfield was mortally wounded in the fight.

The Battle of Sayler's Creek, the last major engagement of the Army of Northern Virginia, was the death knell for Barr's Battery and Stiles' Chaffin's Bluff Battalion.

The casualties in Stiles' Battalion were 100 killed and wounded. The exact numbers of troops in the battalion are not known, but it is safe to assume that the combined strength, in the 5 batteries in Stiles' Battalion, was no more than three to four hundred men. If that many. Part of the battalion escaped the destruction at Sayler's Creek to join the rest of the Army at Appomattox Courthouse. The numbers were few. The 18th Georgia Battalion had 82% of its men killed and wounded. This is 70 out of the 85 engaged.

Capt. Barr,Lt. W.F. Campbell, and twenty-five enlisted men were captured. This was apparently all that was left of the battery after two years of service.

Two men, David D. Smith and S.R. Davenport did not appear on Federal Prisoner of War rosters for Sayler's Creek. It is not recorded whether they made good their escape, from the Federal forces that overwhelmed them, to join the rest of the Army at Appomattox. It is possible they did and joined with the remnants of Crutchfield's Brigade which surrendered on April 9. It is also possible that they "paroled themselves" and walked straight home. This was a common occurrence in the waning days of the war as the Army disintegrated.

Those troops who survived the fighting at Sayler's Creek, and managed to evade the Union juggernaut which had overwhelmed them, made their way onward to join the rest of the Army in its retreat to Appomattox Courthouse.

General Robert E. Lee was appalled as he watched the troops, who had escaped the disaster at Sayler's Creek, come straggling in to rejoin the rest of his now hard pressed Army. Upon seeing how few they were and how beaten they looked he is recorded to have exclaimed, "My God! Has the Army dissolved?!"

Over one fourth of the Army of Northern Virginia was lost at Sayler's Creek!

Three days later on April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered the remnants of his gallant Army to Gen. Ulysses S.Grant at Appomattox Court House.

The formal surrender of the Army took place on Wednesday, April 12, 1865. Ironically this was exactly four years to the day since Confederate guns fired on Fort Sumter! In a misting rain, the Rebel soldiers furled their colors and stacked their arms one last time. They then dispersed and walked down many different roads to whatever homes they had left. The once mighty Army of Northern Virginia, passing into history and legend, was no more!

Over the next few months the members of Barr's Battery were paroled and released from their various places of captivity.

Though they could not be called a "glory" outfit, Barr's Battery performed yeoman service in a vital theater of war, where they were undermanned, underfed, and poorly equipped. Although not officially designated as such, Levi's-Barr's Battery was essentially a Horse Artillery battery, having spent the majority of its service attached to Cavalry brigades. On several occasions, due to the lack of serviceable guns, the battery fought as dismounted cavalry or infantry. Despite all these hardships and setbacks , the battery had the honor of being a member of the greatest army of all time, The Army of Northern Virginia! Their finest hours were at Saltville, The Siege of Petersburg/Richmond, and most especially, the bayonet charge at Sayler's Creek!. They had the distinction of being the only regular Confederate artillery unit recruited from the mountains of Southwest Virginia. They also had the distinction of serving in two theaters of war at the same time. Witness, the section with Thomas's Legion. This distinction is matched by few units, Confederate or Federal.

Rebforever · Oct 26, 2020

dhh712 said:
What a list of children! Love the names. Nearly all of them, from a quick skim through the list, lived a good long while, at least one into her 90s! You can see the genetic connection there, I find that interesting. I wonder what happened to his first wife, like what she died from; their little girl Aldora is listed as the only one to die in infancy (or at least not over two), and then the mother the next year. Maybe an illness, but it could have been a few things.

Bad drinking water more than likely.

Virginia Dave · Oct 26, 2020

Virginia Dave said:
Still researching my GGG Grandfather. I wanted to know more about his last days before capture. Here is a little of what I have found.

On April 6, 1865 the retreating Rebel column fended off Federal forces at several points along the line of retreat at Deatonsville, Lockett Farm, Harper's Farm, Hillsman's Farm. Finally, after having repelled their enemies at these points during the day, the Rebels turned on their enemies and formed a main battle line at Sayler's Creek. Barr's Battery, and the rest of Stiles' Battalion, was the right flank of Crutchfield's Brigade which was to the right of center in the Confederate battle line. On Stiles' right was the 18th Georgia Battalion commanded by Major William S. Basinger. The 18th Georgia was the right flank of Crutchfield's Brigade. The 18th had also been in the Chaffin's Bluff Line. Maj. Gen. Joseph B. Kershaw's Division was the extreme right of the Confederate line.

In an after action report Major Basinger said of Stiles' Battalion..."There was something surprising in their perfect steadiness and order...". This should not have surprised the Georgia offficer as most of the members of Stiles' Battalion had seen action at various places before being assigned to the Chaffin's Bluff Line.

Pursuing Federal forces opened fire on the Rebels with artillery, using solid shot and shells. The Confederates had no artillery of their own with which to respond. There was no protection from the Federal fire except broom sage and scrub pine. The Rebels withstood the galling fire with steadiness and courage.

After a while the Federal fire slackened and the blue infantry formed their lines to advance, but they hesitated. Upon seeing their enemies hesitate, Stiles' Battalion charged the Yankees. It was this action which started the general advance on the Union lines.

In his report on the action Major Basinger, being closest to Stiles' men said "...such was the eagerness of Major Stiles' men, that upon perceiving the enemy's hesitation, sprang up and rushed upon them, fixing bayonets as they advanced".*****( To read Major Basinger's report in full, go to the dedication page of this site).

Judging from Major Basinger's observation of the bayonet charge at Sayler's Creek, it would appear that the nom de guerre "The Louisiana Tigers" for Barr's Battery was NOT a misnomer. Very seldom during the Civil War did artillerymen get to participate in a bayonet charge!

At first, stunned by the fury and audacity of the Rebels, the Federals gave way and were pushed back across Sayler's Creek. After reforming the Yankees counter attacked and by sheer weight of numbers overwhelmed the Confederate line. The fighting became vicious, erupting into hand to hand combat along the line. The Rebels, starved and ragged( the only rations issued for three days had been one pound of corn meal and one-third pound of bacon), disintegrated under the onslaught. Having no other recourse, outgunned and outmanned, they threw down their weapons and began to surrender. It must be noted that Stiles' Battalion and the 18th Georgia Battalion DID NOT surrender until word reached them that General Ewell had surrendered the Corps and all troops were to follow suit! Thousands were killed,wounded, or captured. Among the prisoners was the Division Commander, Gen. G.W.C.Lee (the son of Gen. Robert E. Lee). Col. Crutchfield was mortally wounded in the fight.

The Battle of Sayler's Creek, the last major engagement of the Army of Northern Virginia, was the death knell for Barr's Battery and Stiles' Chaffin's Bluff Battalion.

The casualties in Stiles' Battalion were 100 killed and wounded. The exact numbers of troops in the battalion are not known, but it is safe to assume that the combined strength, in the 5 batteries in Stiles' Battalion, was no more than three to four hundred men. If that many. Part of the battalion escaped the destruction at Sayler's Creek to join the rest of the Army at Appomattox Courthouse. The numbers were few. The 18th Georgia Battalion had 82% of its men killed and wounded. This is 70 out of the 85 engaged.

Capt. Barr,Lt. W.F. Campbell, and twenty-five enlisted men were captured. This was apparently all that was left of the battery after two years of service.

Two men, David D. Smith and S.R. Davenport did not appear on Federal Prisoner of War rosters for Sayler's Creek. It is not recorded whether they made good their escape, from the Federal forces that overwhelmed them, to join the rest of the Army at Appomattox. It is possible they did and joined with the remnants of Crutchfield's Brigade which surrendered on April 9. It is also possible that they "paroled themselves" and walked straight home. This was a common occurrence in the waning days of the war as the Army disintegrated.

Those troops who survived the fighting at Sayler's Creek, and managed to evade the Union juggernaut which had overwhelmed them, made their way onward to join the rest of the Army in its retreat to Appomattox Courthouse.

General Robert E. Lee was appalled as he watched the troops, who had escaped the disaster at Sayler's Creek, come straggling in to rejoin the rest of his now hard pressed Army. Upon seeing how few they were and how beaten they looked he is recorded to have exclaimed, "My God! Has the Army dissolved?!"

Over one fourth of the Army of Northern Virginia was lost at Sayler's Creek!

Three days later on April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered the remnants of his gallant Army to Gen. Ulysses S.Grant at Appomattox Court House.

The formal surrender of the Army took place on Wednesday, April 12, 1865. Ironically this was exactly four years to the day since Confederate guns fired on Fort Sumter! In a misting rain, the Rebel soldiers furled their colors and stacked their arms one last time. They then dispersed and walked down many different roads to whatever homes they had left. The once mighty Army of Northern Virginia, passing into history and legend, was no more!

Over the next few months the members of Barr's Battery were paroled and released from their various places of captivity.

Though they could not be called a "glory" outfit, Barr's Battery performed yeoman service in a vital theater of war, where they were undermanned, underfed, and poorly equipped. Although not officially designated as such, Levi's-Barr's Battery was essentially a Horse Artillery battery, having spent the majority of its service attached to Cavalry brigades. On several occasions, due to the lack of serviceable guns, the battery fought as dismounted cavalry or infantry. Despite all these hardships and setbacks , the battery had the honor of being a member of the greatest army of all time, The Army of Northern Virginia! Their finest hours were at Saltville, The Siege of Petersburg/Richmond, and most especially, the bayonet charge at Sayler's Creek!. They had the distinction of being the only regular Confederate artillery unit recruited from the mountains of Southwest Virginia. They also had the distinction of serving in two theaters of war at the same time. Witness, the section with Thomas's Legion. This distinction is matched by few units, Confederate or Federal.

Now I need to make a trip to Saylers Creek. About 3hours from where I live.

gentlemanrob · Oct 28, 2020

Virginia Dave said:
Now I need to make a trip to Saylers Creek. About 3hours from where I live.

I hope your able to find out more information

Virginia Dave · Oct 29, 2020

I am trying to do a little better job of keeping a better history of my ancestors on display. Some day I hope to find someone interested enough to pass it down to.

Kelley007 · Sep 2, 2021

Thank you for sharing this! Manoah Shockley was my 4th great grand uncle. His brother John was my 5th great grandfather. I would love to share Shockley information with you.

Kelley007 · Sep 2, 2021

You may have already seen this, but just in case:
Smith Family Letters
Four Carroll County, Virginia Soldiers in the American Civil War, 1861-1865
http://smithletters.cath.vt.edu/SmithIndexes.php?choose=Preface

It is a great read about Smith letters during the Civil War. Here is an insert that mentions the killing. I will keep looking for information regarding a trial/stay in prison.

Post Civil War: Noah Shockley, who shot John's father, called him to his death bed to ask forgiveness. When John was ask, Did you forgive him? John replied, That's between Me, Him and the Lord. ["Ancestors of Herbert Theodore Justice," Website of Jeffery and Kaytrina Justice, 4 September 2010]
Noah Shockley would be John Manoah Shockley (1823-1917) of Hillsville in Carroll County, a member of the Home Guard and brother of Col. Legrand Shockley, killed in action at Saltville in 1864. There was certainly bad blood between the Smiths and the Shockleys.

Virginia Dave · Sep 9, 2021

Kelley007 said:
You may have already seen this, but just in case:
Smith Family Letters
Four Carroll County, Virginia Soldiers in the American Civil War, 1861-1865
http://smithletters.cath.vt.edu/SmithIndexes.php?choose=Preface

It is a great read about Smith letters during the Civil War. Here is an insert that mentions the killing. I will keep looking for information regarding a trial/stay in prison.

Post Civil War: Noah Shockley, who shot John's father, called him to his death bed to ask forgiveness. When John was ask, Did you forgive him? John replied, That's between Me, Him and the Lord. ["Ancestors of Herbert Theodore Justice," Website of Jeffery and Kaytrina Justice, 4 September 2010]
Noah Shockley would be John Manoah Shockley (1823-1917) of Hillsville in Carroll County, a member of the Home Guard and brother of Col. Legrand Shockley, killed in action at Saltville in 1864. There was certainly bad blood between the Smiths and the Shockleys.

I would love to know what it was all about.

CS Shockley, Manoah

Pollaco

Brev. Brig. Gen'l

Virginia Dave

Sergeant Major

Virginia Dave

Sergeant Major

dhh712

Private

Virginia Dave

Sergeant Major

Virginia Dave

Sergeant Major

Rebforever

Lt. Colonel

Virginia Dave

Sergeant Major

gentlemanrob

Major

Virginia Dave

Sergeant Major

Kelley007

Cadet

Kelley007

Cadet

Virginia Dave

Sergeant Major

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