ROCK HILL, S.C. - Cannons and muskets fired solemn volleys recently in Rock Hill's historic Laurelwood Cemetery to honor a Confederate soldier who left home as a teenager 143 years ago to fight in some of the Civil War's bloodiest battles.

About 20 descendants who had traveled from Kentucky, Florida, North Carolina and York County stood silently under gracious old trees as John James Misskelley finally received an Iron Cross at his grave, as many Confederate veterans had years earlier