I am researching William Vanna Sims of Weakley Co.(B)1835(D)1861 He was a Captian in the 31 Reg. Tenn. Vol. Family history said that he was killed in the battle of Franklin Tenn. in 1861 but it seams their must have been two battles of Franklin because the big battle was in 1864. Can anyone help me with this.

Ken. sawdust48#zoominternet.net

The 31st TN Inf. was not organized until Oct. 12, 1861. The family history may have been in error

I thank you so much for the help. Do you know if their is a regimental history for the 31 Tn. Regiment.I am trying to find out where William Sims was buried. The family thinks he was buried in the Confederate Cemetery in Franklin but I have not been able to find him on Ancestry.com

Thanks again Ken. sawdust48@zoominternet.net

Barry Dunnigan's history is here:
http://www.geocities.com/bsdunagan/31st.htm
geocities will be taken down in October so you had better copy the info to your computer.

The Battle of Franklin was November 30, 1864. The McGavock Confederate Cemetery is located just outside Franklin on the Carnton Plantation beside the McGavock Family Cemetery (www.carnton.org). This Carnton Plantation was in the thick of battle and became a hospital for injured and dying soldiers. Col. John McGavock donated two acres of land adjoining the family graveyard for the soldiers' burial. Carrie McGavock, wife of Colonel John McGavock, maintained the Book of the Dead attempting to identify each deceased soldier, giving families of soldiers an opportunity to pay their respects. The soldiers, approximately 1,480, are buried by states.

In glancing through one of the publications I purchased while visiting the Confederate Cemetery, I find a Capt. W. M. Sims of Tennessee of Reg. 31 buried in Tennessee Section No. 53. This is the only Sims I find in the Tennessee section. Could this possibly be the person you're seeking?

I Thank you so much.The William M. Sims you have found has got to be my Willian V. Sims both being Captains in the 31Reg and both from Tennessee.This then means that the death date of 1861 in the family records should be Nov. 1864

Thanks Again Ken. sawdust48@zoominternet.net

Good luck. If you want the exact death date, you might want to order the military service record of Sims - that record should give his exact death date. If I'm not mistaken, you should be able to get that record in Nashville at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. There might even be a pension record for his spouse, if married. That would come from Washington, I believe, and would also give his death date as well as other genealogical info not available in his military service record.

If you get a chance, visit the McGavock Cemetery - nestled in the Tennessee countryside, beautiful setting with the plantation home a few yards away. Definitely worth a trip to see the gravesite and surrounding area.

Thank You One more time.

Ken.