Larkin Little SANDERS was born Dec 5, 1830 in Cheatham County (formerly Robertson County), Tennessee. He was the oldest son of Isaac "Ike" SANDERS and Martha "Patsy" GOWER. Larkin was the nephew of Luke SANDERS of the 128th IL Infantry, who was personal friends with General John A. LOGAN. Larkin had initially enlisted in the 128th Illinois Infantry, but when that Regiment was nearly wiped out from disease, Larkin was one of the lucky (or unlucky?) ones not to get sick, and was transferred to Company F of the 9th Illinois Infantry. He was mustered into that regiment by Capt ALLEN on Aug 15, 1862, and was 33 years old at the time. He was described as having dark complexion, dark hair and dark eyes. His occupation was farmer and laborer. His unit saw a lot of action.........at Forts Donelson and Henry, Battle of Shiloh, Battle of Corinth, siege of Atlanta, Resaca, New Hope Church, Jonesboro, Bentonville and a multitude of other skirmishes and battles He injured his back when instructed to help push a loaded wagon, which caused him to have "angular curvature of the spine, preventing him from standing erect". The pain was great enough to put him in the hospital twice...once at Memphis, Tennessee and once at St. Louis, Missouri. The injury further aggravated and he developed severe rheumatism in his back, arms and legs. He was finally discharged Jan 21, 1864, and suffered the rest of his life from his injuries. The 9th Regiment participated in the Grand Review in Washington, DC and was mustered out July 9, 1865. Larkin SANDERS died on Dec 11, 1902 and is buried in the Sanders Family Cemetery near Herrin, Williamson County, Illinois.

Submitted by John Maurath