John Foster "Buster" Oaks

Born: About 1835 in Wayne County, Kentucky

Died: 22 Feb 1864 in the Battle of Dug Hill in Putnam/White Counties, Tennessee

Company L, 5th Tennessee Cavalry

2 Aug 1863-22 Feb 1864

John is the son of Wiliam Oaks and Nancy Marcum. He married Lavina "Fanny" Shores, daughter of Wiley B. Shores and Sarah Haines. They had three kids from 1857 to 1862.

He enlisted on 2 Aug 1863 in Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee. He was present for duty at all roll-calls until his death. He was with the unit on patrol out of Sparta in Feb 1864 when he was killed in the Battle of Dug Hill.  He was one of, at least, three Mine Lick Creek men killed in that battle.

John's widow was left with three children ages 2-7. She applied for and was granted a widow's pension and an orphan's pension for the children.

The internet says he is buried in the Wallace Cemetery in Putnam County. The above picture is posted. However, there is not a memorial posted on Find-A-Grave for either of the two Wallace Cemeteries.

After John's death, his widow, Lavina, moved to Allen County, Kentucky in 1872. Before she left Tennessee, she had two illegitimate children and was removed from the pension roll as a result. She had a third illegitimate child about the time she moved from Tennessee in 1872. She was later added back to the pension roll after moving to Kentucky where she had several neighbors testify to her good morals. She died in 1904 leaving her property, including 15 acres of land, to her children.