I am  researching a man named Coleman Davis Smith who lived in Sardis in 1920s. During the  Civil War he was the slave of a very famous Tennessee Confederate scout named Sam  Davis. After the war, he remained with Davis as a body servant.

In 1926 Smith went to a business in Senatobia and talked with F. C. Featherstone, telling his story of being with Sam Davis at the time of his capture on 11-20-1863 in Minor Hill, TN.

Smith was also a farmer in Panola County. I  believe he had 12 kids and 16 grandkids. His wife was Rhodie  Smith, and they are  listed in the 1910 Federal Census as living in Panola County.

Mississippi archives indicate that Smith received a Civil War pension for his service. In 1926 records indicate he lived at 707 Florida Street in Memphis with one of his daughters.

 Our book “Shadow Soldiers of  the  Confederacy” profiles the story of the Coleman Scouts and Coleman Davis Smith’s roll.

 I would appreciate help in finding members of Smith’s extended  family. A Calvin C. Smith believed to be one of his sons died in 1917 and is buried in Sardis.

Talley Bailey <critt61626@aol.com>

988 Reynolds Road 

Chepachet.  Rhode Island  

02814

(Editor’s note: Contact Bailey to order “Shadow Soldiers of the Confederacy.”)