Biographies, Photos and Anecdotes
Company K

Pvt. James Jefferson Anderson

James Jefferson Anderson was born in 1834, possibly in South Carolina before the family moved to the area between the East Fork and Glading Baptist Churches in Amite County, Mississippi. His parents were Benjamin and Jane Anderson. He had three brothers, John L., S.H., and B.F. (probably Benjamin Franklin) all of which were older.

He married Victoria Caroline Morgan in 1859. They had eight children, most born after the war.

Jeff Anderson volunteered with the Amite Defenders, accompanied by his oldest brother, John Anderson. In March of 1862, this unit became Co. K of the 33rd Mississippi Infantry when organized into the Confederate army at Grenada.

Both Jeff and John endured the tribulations of warfare until Hood’s Tennessee Campaign in 1864. John was killed at Franklin, Tennessee. Jeff was captured by Federal Cavalry on December 25, 1864, near Anthony’s Hill, Tennessee, while the 33rd was acting as rear guard for Hood’s retreat into Alabama. He was sent to prison in Camp Chase, Ohio, where he remained until released on oath June 12, 1865. He traded his wedding ring for provisions and returned to Amite County. The exact date of his death is not known but was probably in 1915. He is buried at East Fork Cemetery under a Confederate headstone.

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2nd Sgt. John L. Anderson

John L. Anderson was born in 1824, possibly in South Carolina before the family moved to the area between the East Fork and Glading Baptist Churches in Amite County, Mississippi. His parents were Benjamin and Jane Anderson. He had three brothers, S.H., B.F. (probably Benjamin Franklin), and James Jefferson, all of which were younger.

There is no record that John ever married.

John Anderson volunteered with the Amite Defenders, accompanied by his youngest brother, James Jefferson Anderson. In March of 1862, this unit became Co. K of the 33rd Mississippi Infantry when organized into the Confederate army at Grenada.

Both John and Jeff endured the tribulations of warfare until Hood’s Tennessee Campaign in 1864. John was killed at Franklin, Tennessee, when the 33rd assaulted the right (east) end of the Federal line near what is known as the railroad cut. It was passed down in the family that John suffered a wound on the advance, retired under his own power to the rear and subsequently suffered a mortal wound to the head from either an errant musket round or shrapnel. John died on November 30, 1864, and is buried with the other 423 Mississippians at the McGavock Cemetery in Franklin.

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Pvt. John Rentz Callender

John Rentz Callender was born about 1840 in Mississippi as the third child of William Coleman Callender and Keziah Rentz. He was the great-grandson of early Mississippi Territory settlers' Alexander Callender and Mary Coleman. However, the Callender family appears in much earlier land records with a Robert Callender receiving a grant of 2000 acres from the British on December 6, 1768. Presbyterian historical writings place Alexander Callender in Mississippi by 1803 as an elder for one of the earliest Presbyterian churches in this region. First called Callender Meeting House and later Bethel Meeting House this church was located at the now extinct Uniontown, Mississippi. Alexander deeded to Bethel trustees three acres of land on June 4, 1803 with presentation before Justice of the Peace James Stuart on July 12, 1803. The Bethel Meeting house lasted only a few years as families moved onto more easily farmed land or attended other newly formed churches in the area.

The Callender family of Amite was closely aligned with the Morgan and Duck families that also had men serving in the 33rd. These ties began at least 25 years prior to the war and have continued up to present day.

Little is known of John Rentz Callender after the 1860 census. His eldest brother, Robert Eli Callender named his first born son after his brother and this John Rentz Callender was born in 1865. Confusion and errors have occurred regarding these two men among researchers.

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Corp. Robert Smith Capell

Robert Smith* Capell was born about 1841 the eldest son of Eli Jackson Capell and Margaret Elizabeth Anderson. His mother was the sister of John L. Anderson and James Jefferson Anderson, and Robert Capell would serve with these two uncles in Co. K of the 33rd MS Infantry.

On May 12, 1862 Eli Jackson Capell recorded the return of his son Robert who was sent home from the army due to a case of the measles. The pass he carried with him has been preserved in the Capell family papers.

To All Whom it may Concern

The bearer hereof R.L. Capell: a private of Captain Moses Jackson's Company, 33rd Regiment of Mississippi Volunteers, aged 20 years, 5 feet 7 inches, fair complexion, blue eyes, light hair, and by profession a planter over in the County of Amite - Enlisted at Liberty - to serve for the period of three years or the war is hereby permitted to go to his residence - on furlough from the 9 (overstrike) 10 day of May to the 17 day of May -1862.

Moses Jackson, Captain
Amite Defenders

It has been suggested by other researchers that Robert Capell most likely brought a slave with him as he enlisted in the 33rd. On November 30, 1864 Robert Capell was mortally wounded at the Battle of Franklin and died a few days later at a private home in Franklin, Tennesssee**. His mother lost not only a son but also her brother John L. Anderson from this battle.

*The middle initial of Robert Capell appears to have caused some confusion among researchers. He is also listed as Robert L. Capell in several records and genealogies.

**John Nesmith family research gives source as Sigma Chi History, Vol. II. Robert is listed as a LaGrange Synodical College, Confederate.

[RETURN TO TOP]          Contributing researcher, Frances Phares           Bio written and partially researched by Mary Pallon

NOTE: He is buried in McGavock Cemetery at Carnton Plantation, Franklin, TN. --- Webmaster

Pvt. James Cadmus "Caddy" Causey

James Cadmus "Caddy" Causey was born March 6, 1846 in Amite Co., Mississippi the son of Jonas William Causey and Susanna "Susan" Smith (d/o Thomas Smith & Amelia "Milly" Toler). He was a cousin in varying degrees to several men that served in the 33rd including Moses Jackson, James Monroe Causey and James Cox. The Jonas W. Causey family was Presbyterian attending Bethany and Unity churches. Though the family can be found listed as planters in census records they were not of the wealthy Amite elite.

During the war Causey was twice wounded in the Battle of Franklin, TN on November 30, 1864. One minie ball smashed his right wrist, resulting in the loss of use of his right arm. He was also wounded in the left ankle during this battle. Following the battle he was taken prisoner by the Union forces.

After the war Harriet Longmire married "Caddy" Causey February 15, 1867* in Amite Co., Mississippi. Later he would marry Mary Elizabeth Walden, with a third marriage to Louisiana Powell. Two sons from his second marriage, Robert Causey and James Solomon Causey, were born in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.

He died in Evangeline Parish on April 18, 1925.

*Source: Oma Jones Gordon's Mississippi, Amite County Marriages (some researchers have February 14, 1867.)

[RETURN TO TOP]                   Contributing researcher, Frances Phares                               Bio submitted by Mary Pallon

Pvt. James Monroe Causey

James Monroe Causey was born about 1833 in Amite Co., Mississippi, the son of Alexander Scott Causey and Nancy Cason Cox. He was the grandson of William Causey a Revolutionary War Veteran born in Ireland and Susannah "Sukey" Jackson. James Monroe Causey served in the 33rd beside his first cousin James Cox and under another cousin Lt. Colonel Moses Jackson.

Margaret M. Forrest married James Monroe Causey December 26, 1854 in Amite Co., Mississippi. The 1860 census lists the farming couple with one young son Charles. Alexander Scott Causey and family attended New Providence Baptist. March 23rd, 1856 James Monroe Causey is dismissed with a letter enabling him to attend Ebenezer Baptist. He appears in the Ebenezer Baptist church notes:

"September 19, 1857 Bro. J. M. Causey stated that he had purchased lotary (sic) tickets for which he was sorry, and at the time he did not know it was a violation of gospel order. On motion said bro. was excused by the church."

Little is known of James Monroe Causey after he entered the 33rd. He does not appear in later census records, though the family may have moved on to Louisiana or Texas.

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Pvt. James Cox

James G. (or C.) Cox was born in 1845 in Amite Co., Mississippi. He was the son of Henry Carlton Cox (b. February 12, 1805 in SC, d. July 24, 1888 in Liberty, Amite Co., MS) and Elizabeth Toler (b. December 18, 1809 in Amite Co., MS, d. June 19, 1857 in Amite Co.) At the age of 17 James enlisted in Company K, the "Amite Defenders" of the 33rd Mississippi Infantry Regiment. At the battle of Franklin, TN he was mortally wounded in the knee. He is buried in McGavock Confederate Cemetery, Franklin, TN, Mississippi Section 46, Grave #373.

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Jr. 2nd Lt. Albert Gallatin Dobyns

Partial copy of notes made about 1944 by Albert Emmett Dobyns (b. 1876) and supplied by his grandson Philip Dobyns Jr.

My father, Albert Gallatin Dobyns . . . was born Aug 20, 1832.

. . . My father was a lieutenant in company K, 33rd Mississippi regiment during the war. His regiment was part of the Army of Tennessee, and was commanded by Gen. J.E.B. (Jeb) Stewart, who was a noted cavalry leader, though my father was in the infantry. He was in several big battles, including Missionary Ridge, but was never wounded. [Note: the 33rd Mississippi Regiment was not at Missionary Ridge. Perhaps he was referring to the actions at Kennesaw Mountain or Pine Mountain in Georgia. — webmaster.] He was confined to the hospital in Atlanta because of dysentery, the scourge of the half starved soldiers, but he and a buddy ran away and went back to their regiment. Said they would have starved sure enough if they had stayed in the hospital. I have a furlough, issued to him shortly before the war ended.

Grandfather died when my father was only a few years old, next to the youngest child, and his mother a few years later. So he grew up an orphan and got but little schooling. My mother taught him most of his book learning after they were married. However, he was a great reader, and by the time I could remember, no one suspected that he was not reasonably well educated. When he first reached manhood, he acted as plantation manager (they called them "overseers" in those days) for some of the big slave owners until he went into the army.

He was a man of powerful physique, 6' 1" without shoes on, 180 pounds stripped, could and did do more work than any negro he bossed (after the war), black hair and blue eyes, showing the Irish, though his features were Scotch, not overly religious, though he was a member and good supporter of the church, rigidly honest and had no patience with anyone who would lie or cheat. Everyone who knew him had implicit confidence in his integrity, and he had a temper, wow!

My mother was Mary Jane Anderson, born May 1, 1840 (the night the stars fell) . . .

But, after the war, they moved to Franklin County, lived in a log cabin for a year or so until they could build a house, and, for a while, she did all the house work, washing, etc. Dad bought more land as fast as he could pay for it, worked in the field in the day time and chopped down trees and split rails by firelight at night. Some of the old neighbors have told me of hearing him mauling rails as late as 11 o'clock at night. He was a good farmer and usually had the best crops and the best live stock of anyone in the community. By the time I could remember, he was able to hire the hard work done, and took it rather easy from then on.

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Pvt. John D. Drummond

John D. Drummond was born between 1841-1842 in Amite County, Mississippi as the eldest son of Thomas James Drummond and Aletha A "Lettie" Jones. His father was born in Ireland and had traveled to Mississippi with John D. Drummond's grandfather. On September 27, 1838, Thomas James Drummond married Aletha A Jones in Amite County. The family attended Liberty Presbyterian appearing in church notes as early as 1850.

John D. Drummond served along side his younger brother William Henry Drummond in the 33rd Mississippi Infantry, Company K. After the war he married Mary Elizabeth Robertson April 19, 1866 in Amite County. According to Confederate records in the Amite Courthouse, he died in January of 1915*.

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* According to records at Beauvoir (Jefferson Davis Soldiers Home) he died December 4, 1914 and is buried there in the Confederate Cemetery.

Pvt. William Henry Drummond

William Henry Drummond was born about 1843 in Amite County, Mississippi the son of Thomas James Drummond and Aletha A "Lettie" Jones. His father was born in Ireland and his mother in Amite County.

He served beside his brother John D. Drummond in the 33rd Mississippi Infantry, Company K, along with George Monroe Turnipseed who would later marry his youngest sister Alzenia Aleathea Drummond. His death date is unknown, though it appears to have been shortly after the war.

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Pvt. David Madison Duck

David Madison "Matt" Duck was born December 20, 1837 in Liberty, Amite Co., MS. He was the son of James Duck (February 19, 1802 in SC-January 23, 1873 in Liberty, Amite Co., MS) and Mary Peoples (June 2, 1801 in SC-September 26, 1877 in Liberty, Amite Co., MS). On September 18, 1856 in Liberty, Amite Co., MS he married Ellen D. Keen (January 16,1837 in MS-after September 5,1916 in MS per Civil War pension application).

On June 1, 1862 he joined two of his older brothers, E.M. and G.A. Duck, in Co. K, the "Amite Defenders" of the 33rd Mississippi Infantry Regiment. David and Elisha transferred to the "Liberty Guards" of the 22nd Mississippi Infantry on January 10, 1863. He fought until the surrender in North Carolina along with two more brothers in the 22nd James Madison Duck and Henry Street Duck.

Following the war, David and his wife Ellen gave six acres of land for Bethel Baptist Church which was Constituted October 25, 1886. They, along with many others of the Duck family, were Charter members of Bethel Baptist, where many generations of Duck family are buried in the cemetery. David Madison "Matt" Duck died January 25, 1901 and is buried in the David Duck cemetery "Ducktown" Liberty, Amite Co., MS.

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Pvt. Elisha Morgan Duck

Elisha Morgan Duck was born September 16, 1827 in East Feliciana Parish, LA. He was the son of James Duck (February 19, 1802 in SC-January 23, 1873 in Liberty, Amite Co., MS) and Mary Peoples (June 2, 1801 in SC-September 26, 1877 in Liberty, Amite Co., MS). He married Lovey Ann Duff December 26, 1848 in Liberty, Amite County, MS (ca.1826-1910). According to the 1860 census he was a well digger.

Elisha, along with his brother George Asa Duck, enlisted in the "Amite Defenders", Co. K, of the 33rd Mississippi Infantry Regiment on May 13, 1862. In January of 1863 he transferred to the "Liberty Guards", Co. E, in the 22nd Mississippi Infantry. He died July 24, 1863 at the Lauderdale Springs (MS) Hospital and is believed to be buried in the CSA cemetery there.

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Pvt. George Asa Duck

George Asa "Asey" Duck was born July 20, 1830 in East Feliciana Parish, LA. He was the son of James Duck (February 19, 1802 in SC-January 23, 1873 in Liberty, Amite Co., MS) and Mary Peoples (June 2, 1801 in SC-September 26, 1877 in Liberty, Amite Co., MS). On January 12, 1860 in Liberty, Amite County, MS he married Caroline Rice (November 1, 1839 in Liberty, Amite Co., MS-June 17, 1896 in Liberty, Amite Co., MS). Prior to the war he was a farmer.

On May 13, 1862 George, along with his brother, Elisha Morgan Duck, enlisted in the 33rd Mississippi Infantry Regiment, Co. K, the "Amite Defenders" in Grenada under D.W. Hurst for a period of three years. He died in the hospital at Greensburg, St. Helena Parish, LA August 19, 1862; survived by his wife and infant daughter Mary.

A letter dated August 24, 1862 from H.M. Lea to George Lea has this short quote, "one died in a Bagage Wagon (veg) Duck, J.L. Green, Clem & Monroe all had the fever". One family researcher has noted that George Asa is buried "on land off of Greensburg Road near McCoy place".

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Pvt. Cecil F. Duff

Cecil F. Duff was the youngest son of Hugh Duff and Salena Jane Rollins. He was born about 1839 in Amite Co., Mississippi and would lose his father at the age of 11 years. By the age of twenty his occupation was listed as a mail rider, which could be a dangerous pursuit during this time period.

As the war broke out Cecil F. Duff would join with his eldest brother Johnathan Richard Duff in the 33rd Mississippi Infantry, Company K. He also served beside Elisha Morgan Duck, his sister Lovey's husband. Cecil survived the war and is recorded in the 1870 Amite census.

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Note: He received a medical discharge in May 1863 --- Webmaster

Pvt. Johnathan Richard Duff

Johnathan* Richard Duff was born about 1822 in Amite Co., Mississippi as the eldest son of Hugh Duff and Salena Jane Rollins. His parents were married in Wilkinson Co., Mississippi on November 28, 1820. Eight younger siblings would follow his birth including one brother Cecil F. Duff who served with him in Co., K of the 33rd. In 1850 Hugh Duff died leaving several minor children in his wife's care. They were not a wealthy family; New Providence Baptist authorized on September 21, 1850 to pay Hugh Duff's funeral expenses from the membership funds. The family including Johnathan Richard Duff can also be found in Galilee Baptist Church notes.

On August 1, 1848 in Amite Co., Mississippi, Amelia B. Hughes married Johnathan Richard Duff. The newly married couple resided in Wilkinson Co., Mississippi where they are listed with one young daughter in the 1850 census.

After the war Johnathan Richard Duff moved to East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana where he is listed in census records. He is reported to have died there on November 17, 1900. Please note that I have not personally verified his death date.

*His first name shows up with numerous spellings including Jonathan.

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2nd Corp. Mathew Andrew Dunn

Mathew Andrew Dunn, the son of Jonathan P. Dunn and Martha Eleanor "Ellen" Andrews (married January 28, 1830 in Amite Co., Mississippi), was born on December 15, 1833, in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. He was named after his grandfather Mathew Andrews originally of Fairfield District, South Carolina arriving in Amite about 1817, and is buried with his wife Mary in Ebenezer Baptist cemetery.

Mathew Andrew Dunn had a twin sister Martha A. Dunn that died sometime between 1850-1860. With his twin he was the 3rd/4th child born to his parents out of ten, though several of these children died in childhood, and many are buried at Ebenezer Baptist cemetery in Amite Co., Mississippi.

Dunn researchers report his father died on a business trip October 14, 1845 in Tennessee and was said to have been buried along the trail. Conveyance records for East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana list his mother as a widow in a transaction on January 6, 1852. His mother remarried after his father's death to a Benajah D. Doughty and she is also buried in Ebenezer Baptist cemetery.

In 1855, Dunn married Virginia Lenora Perkins Hunt, of Amite County, Mississippi. In 1859, he moved to Amite County, and on August 25, 1859, bought a farm containing 320 acres in the county.

At Liberty, Mississippi, on March 1, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the Confederate Army, joining the Amite Defenders, Company K, Thirty-third Regiment, Mississippi Volunteers. During the war Dunn wrote regularly to his wife "Stumpy" and four children. He was killed at the Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, on November 30, 1864 and is buried there in the McGavock Cemetery at Carnton Plantation.

Three of these children did survive to adulthood. His one daughter Laura would later marry Richard James Shaw, brother of Henry Clay Shaw that died along with her father at the Battle of Franklin.

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Additional information: Weymouth T. Jordan (Ed.) The Journal of Mississippi History. NOTES AND DOCUMENTS Matthew Andrew Dunn Letters. Vol. I, No. 2, April 1939. Pg. 110.

Pvt. John Falkner Durham

John Falkner Durham was born November 22, 1835 to John & Sarah Durham. From his marriage to Manerva Melinda Mason (September 15, 1838 – October 14, 1931) on November 11, 1858, there were five children born.

When the Amite Defenders were organized in Amite County, he enlisted May 13, 1862. This unit later became Company K of the 33rd Mississippi Infantry Regiment. He was discharged September 23, 1862.

He died March 22, 1881 and is buried in Amite County, Mississippi.


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Colonel David Wiley Hurst

Biographical And Historical Memoirs Of Mississippi. Spartanburg: The Reprint Company, Publishers. 1978.
Vol. I, pgs. 997-999.

David Wiley Hurst was born in what is now Amite county, Miss., July 10, 1819. His father, Capt. Richard Hurst, removed from Norfolk, Va., while Mississippi was a territory, and settled in what was then known as Adams county and under military rule, Gen. Wilkinson having command of that portion of the territory ceded by the Spanish government. Capt. Hurst was a pioneer and began anew his life as a farmer, this being quite a change from his occupation, he having, previous to this time, been captain of a merchantman, and so wedded was he to his life as a seafaring man, that he refrained from visiting Natchez which was the trading point for that portion of Mississippi, fearing that the sight of a large portion of water would irresistibly turn him to his former occupation.

David W. Hurst received at an early age the rudiments of an education at what is now termed an old fieldschool and while but a lad was noticed as having an extraordinary and retentive memory, and amused his fellow-scholars by repeating sermons and speeches which he had heard delivered in the neighborhood. While quite a youth he attended school at Liberty under the tutelage of a schoolmaster named Davenport, who at a late date boasted that he had educated all the native lawyers of Amite county. He attended one session at Hanover college, Ind., but chose Oakland college, Adams county, as his alma mater.

After leaving college he entered the law office of Judge James M. Smiley, a distinguished jurist of this state, and a short time before his majority, after a brilliant examination, was admitted to the practice of the law in 1843. In 1847 he was chosen as a representative in the legislature of the state and was a useful member of the judiciary committee. He left his native county and settled at Bay Saint Louis, Hancock county, and there practiced his profession with remarkable success for the space of three years. Having formed a copartnership with John T. Lamkin [who later organized and was Captain of Co. E, "Holmesville Guards," 33rd Miss.], who was at that time district attorney, their practice being extensive throughout the district, he removed to his old home in Amite county, and there practiced his profession until the breaking out of the war.

On the l3th day of July, 1847, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Tilloston and reared a family of three sons and one daughter, all of whom survive him but the youngest son, who died at an early age. His political notions were firm and steadfast. Being an old line whig, he at all times was ready with poised lance and upturned visor, declining no challenge, but always in the thickest of the contest. He was the whig elector for his district on the Clay ticket in 1848, with James A. Ventress his opponent on the democratic ticket, they canvassed the district thoroughly, and with remarkable vigor and ability. Although this district was the Gibraltar of the democracy, the usual democratic majority was very materially reduced. As the signs of the times predicted and almost foretold of a gigantic struggle between the North and South, he was looked to by all parties for advice, and was elected to represent Amite county in the convention called by the governor to pass such measures as would insure safety to our people. He was one among the ablest members of the convention and was foremost in attempting to ward off the impending danger. Although in the minority the ordinance of secession from the Union was passed, yet he to the last refused to sign the ordinance. Mr. Hurst had earnestly opposed secession up to the last moment, but finding that the people of Mississippi were determined to separate from the Union he surrendered his personal opinions and pledged himself fully and unreservedly to the cause of the Confederacy. Opposed to secession, with habits of thought and education utterly opposed to revolution, the strange vicissitudes of this stormy period soon found him ready to assist in the great contest.

He raised, in 1862, a company of volunteers, was elected its captain, and joined the Thirty-third regiment of Mississippi volunteers, of which regiment he was elected colonel. The regiment participated in all the hotly contested battles in the western army. At the battle of Corinth Colonel Hurst's horse was killed from under him, and fell upon him, and disabled him from active service as commander of the regiment. Shortly after the surrender of Vicksburg a vacancy occurred on the supreme beach of the state by the death of Hon. C. Pinckney Smith, chief justice. An election was ordered to fill the vacancy, and Judge Hurst was elected to fill the same, and he remained in that office until the surrender, at which time Mississippi was reconstructed by the Federal authorities, and other judges appointed in their place. Judge Hurst removed to Vicksburg, and formed a law copartnership with Col. Upton M. Young, remained a short time, and removed to Summit and reastablished his old practice until his death, which took place July 10, 1882. We can not refrain from making extracts from a notice written by Judge Wiley P. Harris, and which. we indorse in every particular, as follows: "So far as Judge Hurst's education proceeded was thorough, what he learned he mastered whether at school or in the law office, and his memory, with singular accuracy and tenacity, retained his acquisitions. His legal education began before he had attained his majority, and as usual then in the offices of practicing lawyers, that course led to a speedy admission to the bar. Judge Hurst attained to the highest rank and honors of his profession, and these were due to real merit. No man was more entirely free from false pretensions, from all shams and indirect methods. Straightforward manliness and certain nobleness and elevation of character distinguished David W. Hurst and the, recollections of these qualities, however much we may exalt the fine qualities of his mind, will be more cherished by his contemporaries."

At a meeting of the bar in August, 1882, we make a few extracts from a speech delivered by H. Q. Bridges, Esq., on that occasion: "As a citizen and a son of Mississippi he grew with her growth, and strengthened with her strength, and as a lawyer and a judge added fresh laurels to her civic crown. His name is associated with many public events that have made Mississippi historic since he entered public life, in all of which he had an eye single to her glory and advancements. Under the tutelage of the lamented Smiley he received his early training in his chosen profession, and, as his life history so admirably proves, the seeds then planted in his fertile brain germinated and grew and ripened into luxuriant foliage and luscious fruit."

There was usually no half-way ground with him, whether in cleaving to a friend or separating from a foe, so that it may be truthfully affirmed of him, whether,he spoke or acted upon men or measures, his position was always well defined. His great desire, as once expressed to a friend, was that he might not go down behind a cloud, and that wish was in a measure gratified. His declining days, though made painful by physical suffering, were like the quiet repose of evening after the day's work is done, when the setting sun casts its lengthened shadows upon the fading landscape. His mental vigor lingered about him radiant with clear comprehension and flashing occasional scintillations of original thought, until the period of dissolution drew apace.

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Lt. Colonel Moses Jackson

Moses Jackson was born January 14, 1822 in Amite County. He came from a line of soldiers. His father was Capt. Willey Jackson, who commanded a company at the Battle of New Orleans, and his grandfather was Isaac Jackson, who was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. After his father's death, he took control of the home plantation. This was a large estate on which was one of the best farm residences in the country at that date. In 1861, he became a member of the Senate, displaying sound judgement and practical ability.

When the emergency came, he enlisted March 10, 1862 as Ist Lt. of his company, and at the organization of the 33rd Mississippi Regiment at Grenada, MS, he became Captain of his company, Co. K, on April 17, 1862. This proved as no mistake to his men. Though firm in discipline, and wanting to see every man discharge his duty faithfully, he was kind and gentle, ready to aid the sick, and always solicitious for the comfort and well being of his company. He was a man of indomitable will power and bore well the hardships and exposures of a soldier's life. It is said that during the latter part of the war, he did not take off his clothes for nearly five months. He was in all the battles of the 33rd, commanding the regiment from the death of Col. Jabez Drake at Peachtree Creek, until August 31, 1864, when he was wounded at the battle of Jonesboro, GA, receiving gunshot wounds in each foot and struck behind the ear with a shell fragment. These wounds caused him not to be able to return to his company until March of 1865. He served out the rest of the Carolina's Campaign, being promoted to Lt. Col. on April 19, 1865, just one week before the surrender of the Army of Tennessee.

The next paragraph is taken from the Confederate Records at the courthouse, written after Moses' death.

"As a citizen, he was as loyal and true as he had proved a soldier. The involvements of office did not allure him to forsake his principles, and even during the darkest days of reconstruction, he did not waver, but could always be depended on as a bold and aggressive Democrat waging a relentless war upon the rapacious "carpet baggers." He was a safe counselor, as no exciting cause could make him lose his equilbrium or equanimity. On several occasions he led our citizens, who had been outraged in so many ways by the "carpet baggers" and their ignorant and deluded adherents, and he always led them to victory without dishonor. He was repeatedly sent to our Legislative Halls, as Representative and Senator, and gave entire satisfaction to his constituents and to his state. He was a man of strong convictions and had the courage to proclaim them when occasion demanded. He was noted for his prudence and sobriety, and for many years was a consistent member of the Baptist Church. He lived an exemplary life and died the death of a faithful and unfaltering Christian. Moses passed away Nov. 28, 1895."

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3rd Sgt. Ira Allen Jenkins

Ira Allen Jenkins was born April 18, 1832 approximately 3 miles outside of Liberty in Amite Co., Mississippi. He was the son of John Jenkins who arrived from Georgia into Amite in the early 1800's. On February 2, 1822, John Jenkins married Stacy Whittington, the daughter of Amite settlers- James Whittington and Sarah Jackson. The John Jenkins family appears in the church notes for New Providence Baptist with Ira Allen Jenkins shown on the membership rolls from 1851-1858.

On January 31, 1856* in Amite, Ira Allen Jenkins married Louvenia Causey**, the daughter of Alexander Scott Causey & Nancy Cason Cox. Dora Jenkins, the first born child of this union was born in 1857. The newly formed family; however, are not found in the 1860 Amite census. According to an earlier researcher they were at this time living in Claiborne Co., Mississippi where Ira briefly oversaw the running of a plantation. He returned to Amite in February 1862 to join the Amite Defenders. Below is his obituary which perhaps is the best tribute to his life. A Confederate marker is at his burial location in Liberty City Cemetery, recognizing him as Captain for the 22nd, Co. E.

From The Southern Herald, Liberty, Miss, Friday, Nov 29, 1929

CAPT I A JENKINS

"Saturday morning Nov 23rd the spirit of Capt I A Jenkins took its flight to the home beyond the skies. Deceased was born April 18, 1832 liking [lacking] only a few month of being 98 years of age. Few men will be more missed than our departed friend. He was known, loved and respected the length and breath (sic) of Amite county. Always an interesting conversation list of things past and present to both old and young.

He was among the first to leave Amite County at the beginning of the Civil war, enlisting in Co. K 33rd Miss., serving through the four years. Was wounded 3 times the last in the battle at Franklin and Nashville Tenn. At an early age he was married to Miss Louvenia Causey, who preceded him to the grave 12 years ago. To this union were born one son and three daughters. M. A. Jenkins and Mrs. B. D. Nelson of Liberty the other daughters deceased. 'Uncle Allen' was one time member of the board of supervisors also served as a member of the pension board; was Captain of Co. E 22nd Mississippi, which was merged with his old company near close of war and was commander at the battle of Bentonville. He was Com[mander] of Amite county camp 226 U. C. V. He attended all State Reunions and took an active part in all the county reunions. Since the death of his wife he made his home here with the only son and will be greatly missed as a familiar figure on our streets. He was an early riser and enjoyed meeting and exchanging greetings each day with his fellow man. He was a devout member of the Baptist church from which place his funeral was held. Up to a week before his death he enjoyed good health but when stricken with pneumonia the infirmities of age were too much for him.

Funeral was conducted by his pastor Rev. H. H. Webb assisted by Rev. Chas. G. Bruce Sunday morning at 10 o'clock in the presence of a large gathering of loved ones and friends and he was laid beside the grave of his wife in local cemetery. Besides the son and daughter he is survived by 19 grand children, 79 great-grand children, and four great-great-grand children. A grand old man has gone to his reward. Blessings on his memory."

* Note other sources have recorded marriage date of January 21, 1856.
** Her name appears in other records with two additional spellings of Lavinia or Lavenia.

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Pvt. William P. Johns

William P. Johns, son of Richardson Johns and Elizabeth Smith, was born about 1831 in Amite Co., Mississippi. William grew up as a member of the Ebenezer Baptist church along with many other men that he would later serve with during the war. On March 25, 1852 he married Victoria Cox, daughter of Henry Carlton Cox and Elizabeth Toler. His wife’s brother James Cox served beside him in the 33rd, Company K. At the time of his enlistment William and Victoria were the parents of three children: Adalaide, Ada P., and William R. “Willie.” William P. Johns died November 12, 1862 in Oxford, Lafayette Co., Mississippi and his estate was probated in Amite Co., Mississippi in 1863.

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