John B Messick, escort for Jefferson Davis' wife
I am trying to find out which John Messick was in the 2nd and/or 14th KY Cav CSA. He was part of a small detail of about 20 men assigned to escort Varina Davis, wife of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. He was captured with them and sent to Camp Douglas, IL.
Civil War records say he enlisted in 2nd KY Cavalry (Duke's Reg.) at Lexington, Fayette Co, KY 9Nov1862 (alt. 11Sep1862). Apparently he was captured one before at Buffington Island, OH while on John Hunt Morgan's raid into IN and OH. I'm sure he is part of the Messick family of Jessamine Co, KY but I cannot figure out which branch.
He is said to have had a brother, William R, that was arrested in Chicago, IL with letters from his brother and a receipt for $20 received from the Dr of Camp Douglas, Dr Wm D Lee. Lee was convicted of smuggling cash into the prison and spent about a year in prison himself.
I first thought this was John Messick b.1841 that m.1st Margaret Shirley abt.1870 and m.2nd Nancy "Nannie" Spears in 1871 but his brother William R Messick wasn't born until abt.1863. His father was also a John Messick (m. Margaret Dishman) but was a bit too old to be a Cavalry soldier since he was b.abt.1812. Part of this Messick family moved to Montgomery Co, IN and some went West to MO and KS.
So, help straighten me out... which John Messick was this story about.