Silas Tanner married Sarah Adeline Johnson 5 July 1860 in Polk Co, GA. He would have been only 16 at that time, according to census records. In 1864, he joined the Union Army, 1st Alabama Cavalry, in Rome, GA but deserted after 2 months. He joined just before the fall of Atlanta and was reported as a deserter at the start of Sherman's march to the sea. We have not located him in 1870. In 1896, Sarah Adeline filed for a Union widow's pension in Parker Co, TX which was denied due to Silas' status as a deserter. (She reports he died in 1875). Signing the application for pension as verifying as to who Sarah was were Charley and Fannie Lester who may be the daughter and son-in-law of Sarah. Sarah next shows up in Calhoun Co, AL on the 1900 census.

This Silas could likely be the Silas listed on the 1850 Cherokee Co, AL census as the son of John and Rona Tanner. Cherokee Co adjoins Polk Co.

Database created and maintained by Ryan Dupree.

Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.

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