Military Tuesday~Lt. Col. James Taylor Davis

 IN MEMORIUM.

Lient-Col. James Taylor Davis, in the 28th Spring of his life, was mortally wounded in the battle of Hare's Hill, on the 25th of March. 1865 and was borne to the Fair Ground Hospital in Petersburg, where he died in: a few hours. He entered Emory and Henry College, Va., in early boyhood well prepared, having applied himself closely four years he left the “Old Dominion” a thorough scholar, a young man of flattering prospects and unquestioned moral worth. He chose the profession of law. and with Judge Pearson at Rockford. he sustained himself a close and gifted student, and a high-toned gentleman.

A few brief years of flattering success in the practice of law had passed when the South, became engaged in war and true to the patriotic promptings of his noble nature, he was among the first to enlist her cause in the old 1^st N.C Regiment that won so fair a name at Yorktown. When that Regiment had disbanded, he was soon in the field again, with 49^th N. C Regt. Ransom's Brigade, and with the blood-written history of which his name is honorably and imperishably linked. To his bearing as a chivalrous soldier and gallant officer no tribute is needed from this pen-- the battle-scarred few of Ransom's Brigade that survive the long-war and have watched to applaud his valor on so many victorious fields will watch o'er his memory and hold from oblivion the name and virtues they cherish so sacredly. They called him their Star on the field, and in camp their noble-true and good. He was the beloved of all who could appreciate excellence, for without extravagance his was a degree of moral and mental excellence seldom attained on earth. His death, like his life, was gloriously beautiful.

He died as Christians do, with his Bible on. his breast and his last words breathing of peace, home and God. Death came quickly, but not in terror to the in trepid warrior. His only regrets were for the crushed hearts that loved him-- the infirm father and two sisters soon to be orphaned and brotherless He was the only son, the only brother! Oh, "the pathos of the word ONLY when death so loves the only! His sword so faithful, ever is sheathed, his manly step is still, and his cheerful voice unheard, for the martyr is asleep beside his father and mother and the light of his old home is darken, its joy and pride has fallen, its dearest treasure is entombed. We thank Heaven for the privilege of having known such a man and his memory so beautiful and precious will be fadeless forever. In Heaven may the sacred ties be re-united and through the ceaseless ages of eternity we shall live and love together. J. J. D.

Lt. Col. James Taylor Davis, was born in 1837, a son of Samuel Asbury Taylor and Elizabeth A. Stitt. James was the oldest of five children borne to Samuel and Elizabeth. He served as a Captain with Co. F, 49th Inf. Regt., NC Troops. He had a brother, John Newton, and a sister, Margaret Jane, that passed away in early childhood. Now only two sisters remains, Julia J. and Susan H. Davis. 

James Taylor Davis is my 3rd Cousin 3X Removed.