James M. Sanders was only 19 years old when he and his older brother Milton P. Sanders enlisted into the Army of the Confederacy in Grundy County at Pelham, Tennessee on 29 April 1861.  The youngest of 17 children borne to Thomas Sanders, Sr. and Mary "Polly" Roberts of Pelham, Tennessee, James enlisted as a Private in Co. A of Turney's 1st Tennessee Infantry Regiment. His father Thomas Sanders Sr had died some six years earlier in 1855, leaving the the farm to his beloved widow Polly Sanders and their children. According to the 1860 Grundy County Tennessee census records,  all of Polly's children had moved out of the house except for her youngest son James who was tending to the family farm.   The record also revealed that Polly's 80 year old   mother (Mrs. Mary Roberts) and 3 year old grandson (Thomas H. Sanders) were living in the Sanders family household with her and James. In my opinion, this fragile family was surley blessed to have this young man to stay on and watch over them as he did.  It appears that James did not leave his mothers side until his company was mustered into Confederate service in May of 1861.   About one year after his enlistment , Pvt. James M Sanders was killed in action during The Battle of Seven Pines in Henrico County Virginia on May 31 1862. The final resting place for James M Sanders remains a mystery as of this writing.    It appears that many of the confederate soldiers who died at the battle at Seven Pines VA were buried where they fell or either buried in mass graves. The likelihood of finding his grave at this late date is slim. Lest We Forget. Having no wife or descendants,  James  is one of countless young men who have become but a faint whisper in our history.  It is my wish that this memorial remind us of  Pvt James M. Sanders, and others like him, who bravely made the ultimate sacrifice before they even had the chance to live their own lifes. It is my personal belief that James Sanders did not  enlist into the army of the confederacy for love of the slave,  as he had no slaves. Nor did his brothers or his father.  I believe that my Sanders family ancestors were fighting to resist the invasion of the South by the North... simply to prevent subjugation.  My sourhern ancestors were farmers not at all intellectual or cultured.  They probably cared little for politics and less for slavery.  But they did care for their own soil and was willing to fight to drive the invader from it.    I believe that it was for this principle that this young man was willing to fight.  I believe that it was for this principle that he gave his life. PVT. JAMES M. SANDERS (1842-1862) Co. A  Turney's 1st TN Infantry Fell Under His Colors On  31 May 1862  Battle of Seven Pines   To James... Your Life & Sacrifice Not Forgotten.... Your Great Great Grand Niece  Alma                   Honoring My Southern Heritage   This page  is dedicated to not only the memory of my confederate ancestor who fought in the Battle of Seven Pines,  but to all of the  soldiers who courageously served during that time in our nations history.  This emblem signifies that  this site neither promotes nor condones discriminatory speech, or actions based on race,  religion, creed, or national heritage.  I  also take a dim view of those that bring discredit to the Confederate Battle Flag or those who seek to see it abolished and all Confederate Heritage destroyed.   Submitted By Alma E Harings aharings@cox.net Associated Links of Interest Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks) ( Past Whispers Homepage ) Battle of 7 Pines Participants Memorial Pages ( Pvt James M Sanders &  Other Participants on page 3) Richmond National Battlefield History Peninsula Campaign Battle Histories (Battle of Seven Pines) Chimborazo Hospital (Civil War Richmond) Oakwood Cemetery   An Article by Dr. Joseph D Kyle 1994.   Dr. Kyle is special assistant to the superintendent at the Richmond National Battlefield Park. Capt Alexander H. Sanders of Grundy County TN ( Turney's 1st TN Infantry & 20th TN  Cavalry , CSA) Pvt. John R Sanders of Grundy County Tennessee (  44th TN Infantry Regiment, CSA / brother of James M Sanders ) Turney's 1st TN Infantry "Co A"  Roster Notes   Franklin County Dixie Net - League of the South 1st Tennessee Volunteer Infantry (Prov) CSA   Franklin Co TN and the Civil War