He enlisted April 8, 1864 in Carroll County, Tennessee in the 16th Tennessee Cavalry under Captain Robert E. Dudley.  The first battle he engaged in was Guntown, Mississippi (Battle of Brice's Crossroads).  He stated "life of hardships, poorly clad, and oftimes went 3 and 4 days without anything to eat.  Came home from Lexington, TN on furlough and peace was made before I got back."  He was a farmer and a Missionary Baptist.  (source:  The Tennessee Civil War Veterans Questionnaires)

His Civil War service records for Company K, 21st (Wilson's) Tennessee Cavalry include the following:
March & April 1864:  Present
May & June 1864:  Absent, sick at the hospital
July & August 1864:  Present, furnished his horse
July 13, 1864:  Admitted to 1st Mississippi C.S.A. Hospital, Jackson, Miss. with acute dysenteria.  Returned to duty July 26.

He applied for a Confederate pension May 2, 1910.  He stated the following:  He lived at the time in Weakley County, near McKenzie.  He was a member of Bell's Brigade, Wilson's Regiment.  Born February 4, 1844 in Henry County.  Enlisted April 8, 1864.  Robert Dudley was his captain until killed and then W. F. Scates.  Engaged in the battle of Athens, Alabama and Pulaski.  His company was furloughed from Lexington, TN. November 1864.  He came home under the command of Captain Scates.  He reported to Capt. Scates the day he was set to return and was advised to remain at home because his mother was totally blind and had no means of support nor protection except for his sister.  He had one son, age 18, and one daughter, age 20, living with he and his wife at the time of the application.  He owned 64 acres valued at $600.  W. F. Scates witnessed the application and certified that he served in the same company with Shankle but did not remember advising him to stay at home but it was possible that it did occur.  J. P. Cannon wrote a letter on Shankle's behalf stating that Capt. Scates said Shankle did report for return and knowing the situation at home Scates took it upon himself to tell him to stay until he (Shankle) could make arrangements for his family.  After Scates recovered from his wound received at Campbellsville, Shankle reported again and they started back to their unit but learned at McLemoresville that the war was over and they turned back.  It does not appear that his application for a pension was approved.

Submitted by Phil Stafford