Whitfield Sparks

Whitfield M. Sparks (April 29, 1842 - September 5, 1914) served as a corporal in Company C, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.

Personal life
Whitfield Sparks was born April 29, 1842 in Yancey County, North Carolina to Allen and Susan (Buchanan) Sparks. He married Elizabeth Buchanan (1841-1918) with whom he had six children.

Civil War service
Sparks first enlisted as a private in Company I, 29th North Carolina Infantry on July 11, 1861 in Mitchell County, North Carolina. He deserted on September 7, 1863 and changed his allegiance. Sparks then enlisted in Company C, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry on October 2, 1864 in Carter County, Tennessee for a period of three years and mustered in September 1, 1865 at Knoxville, Tennessee. He was appointed corporal on June 16, 1865.

He is described as 22 years old, 5' 2" tall, fair complexion, blue eyes, light hair, and by occupation a farmer.

Sparks is listed as present for duty throughout his term of service for which muster roll records have survived.

Sparks mustered out with the regiment on September 5, 1865 at Knoxville. He had never been paid, owed $33.82 to the government for clothing, and was owed a $100 bounty.

Post-war life
Sparks applied for an invalid's pension on August 25, 1881. He died September 5, 1914 in Spruce Pine, North Carolina and is buried at Bear Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Ledger, North Carolina. His wife applied for a widow's pension on October 14, 1914.