Catawba family gave three sons to the Confederacy

John Esley Arney, my great-grandfather, was a twin to Jonas Franklin Arney. The two of them, along with another brother, Phillip, all served in the Civil War. John was born to R. Henry and Elizabeth Carpenter Arney on Oct. 29, 1845. He enlisted in Company K, 46th North Carolina Infantry Regiment, in Catawba County on March 1, 1864, at the age of 19. He was present and accounted for through December of 1864. However, John was listed sick and absent during most of his enlisted time. John was surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, on April 9, 1865. Company K was known as the “Catawba Braves”.