Nineteen year old Josephus Shelburn Paxton enlisted in the Confederate Army on the 10th of February 1863. He fought with Company K, 22d Regiment of the Virginia Infantry as evidenced by his military record. He no doubt fought against his distant cousins, as so many in his family did. See nine pages in the gallery below Cephas' photo.
Cephas mustered out on April 25, 1864 at Camp Gauley, West Virginia, and returned home safely to his parents, Abner John & Hester Paxton. He later married Sarah Jane Slack, and raised nine (known) children.
-- Mr. Paxton's military papers were found on the wonderful Fold3 website.