This epitomizes Southern grit and determination...

John Ballard was born January 1, 1839 in Albemarle County, Va. He joined up with the"Col" Mosby mid month of May, 1863. John was shot in the leg on the morning of June 22nd, 1863, on the eastern slope of the Bull Run Mountains, near Dr. Ewell's farm. Ballard's leg was crushed by the ball, and the rough riding back to the mountains made the fracture worse. (His horse had an eye shot out which became unmanageable). 

He was taken to the home of Robert Whiteacre, near the top of the mountain, where his leg was amputated. He was nursed back to health until he could be taken to Bennevue, the home of Mr. William Ayre. The following winter he was again in the saddle and with his command, but had his artificial leg crushed in a charge with Capt. A. E. Richards, on a Federal camp near Halltown. He afterwards came in possession of the leg of U.S. Colonel Ulric Dahlgren (killed in an ill fated raid on Richmond), with which he was fitted with, and able to continue in active service until the end of the war.

Attended 1895 reunion of the 43rd Va. Cav. in Marshall, the 1897 reunion in Baltimore, Md and the 1905 reunion in Fredericksburg.