John F. Shepherd enlisted in the 22nd Virginia Cavalry on 8/1/63 in Lebanon. AWOL 10/31/63 and deserted 1/10/64. Age 8 on the 1850 Montgomery County census. However, there is also a John S. Shepherd, age 12 on the Russell County Census who may be a better match.
John Shepherd, I.d. in Ball photo