Jim, If you were anywhere near Columbus, OH I would give you a big bear hug despite the risk of my wife and 6 children becoming certain I was nuts. I cannot put into words my elation. I even thought about this post last night wondering "Did I even post the name?"...and checked it first thing this morning. Wow!

Indeed, yes, I am speaking of my GGG Grandfather Dr. William John Sloan, son of John Sloan and Nancy Agnes Daugherty...the Sloan brick wall. Only recently have I pursued the Civil War angle and I get a new thrill at every turn.

Here is an overview of him what I know about him: http://www.jackson8.com/Second%20Site/p9.htm#i439

Is there documentation you've seen that confirms Samuel and James are his brothers? We've often wondered about James' middle name...where have you seen it? Where did you learn what you learned about him...including the relationship of Archibald Daugherty...I am still so excited I can barely sit still...

I have long wondered about the relationship of Samuel and James to William...Archibald Daugherty being there sure helps! Coincidentally, just yesterday, I was checking into a Thomas S. Sloan of Knap's Battery and found a picture of him labeled "unidentified" at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~fmitchel/sloan/phot...
The resemblance is so striking, I am sure it is another brother!

I am in posession of William John's original promotion documents: To Sargeant; Company [faded] of the Thompson's Regiment of Independant Pennsylvania Battery @ williamsport, MD 7 Nov 1861. And to 2nd Lt. of "Park Battery" @ Harrisburg 16 Jul 1863.
I am working this family at http://www.jackson8.com/Sloan.html - it includes pictures of this paperwork and pics of both William John and Samuel...amongst others.

So tell me...I am eager...where did you get this stuff?