My confederate solider - Greenville Sanders

Yes, I am proud of my confederate heritage, I am also proud of my union soldiers. Our ancestors made so many sacrifices, each one plays a part of how our life is today. So I won't hold my head in shame or hide my confederate roots, because the history books try to teach that the confederacy is bad-but that's not my intention of arguing the reasons of the civil war. 

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Greenville Sanders born in 1823 Pike, Ky to Thomas Jefferson Sanders and Elizabeth McBrayer

On January 15 1845 he married Rhoda Potter daughter of Benjamin Potter and Susannah Hollingsworth

1850 census living in Pike, ky

1860 census living in Scott, Va

On Dec 11 1863 he was captured along with his son Levi Sanders in Piketon, Ky

Discharged to Rock Island prison Dec 24 1863

Levi did not survive Rock Island(it wasn't called Andersonville of the North for no reason)

Levi died of small pox Feb 18, 1864

Greenville wrote a letter to his wife, sent it to Levi's wife, it was supposed to be forward to his wife but it remained in her family.

Dear wife,

I have an opportunity of writing to you to let you know that I am well and hope when these few lines reaces you they may find in thee same good health. Levi died heare the 18 of febuary with the small pox. I want you to do the best you can till I come home. I would like to see you all and be near to you all once more. You must take good care of your self till I come home I am at Rock Island Prison. I'll give my love to Father and Mother Harmon you will please send this to my father and he can send it to my wife. I hope the day is not far distant when I will leave this place for exchange. This is all at present write as soon as you get this and let me know how you get along. Direct your letter to Barracks No. 46, from your husband , Greenville Sanders.

So I have to wonder if he could read and write, maybe someone else wrote letter home, or maybe he put an X on his alligence out of protest, he just wanted out of there! 

The next part I don't understand, 1870 census he is living in home of someone, he eventually gets remarried, and his wife gets remarried..maybe she was having an affair with ezekial prater , because he divorces his wife and they get married, later ezekial remarries his first wife. 

Greenville dies 1898 buried on Rockhouse Creek Rd. Near marrowbone creek, which is where he was found in the 1880 census. 

The 36th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry was organized in February 1863, with four companies, later increased to five. The unit was assigned to A. G. Jenkins', W. E. Jones', B. T. Johnson's, and Payne's Brigade. It had a force of 125 men at Gettysburg, moved to Western Virginia, and then took part in operations in East Tennessee. The 36th was with McCausland at Chambersburg, served with Early in the Shenandoah Valley, and was active around Appomattox. After cutting through the lines at Appomattox, it disbanded. Major James W. Sweeney was in command.

Wow so Greenville wasn't captured until Dec of 63, and Gettysburg was in July, so is it a stretch to say that he was there, and survived? 

Here is a roster I found for company A