Descendants of Lewis ap David of Cardiganshire, Wales

Generation #6 - 10

Note: Information on the Lewis Family before Walden Lewis b. c. 1774 in Virginia comes from assumptions based on multiple sources. Therefore, the information on this page is not reliable for genealogical purposes. A detailed discussion of the many connections can be found at Lewis Family Research.

James (5James, 4James, 3James, 2James, 1Edmund) Lewis of Lincoln Co MO

James Lewis was born 1814 in St. Charles Dist. MO during the War of 1812. History of the Missouri frontier shows that the pioneers of what would become Lincoln Co MO settled their property but had to flee to home forts or to larger communities during hostilities. After the war when the Indian threat was greatly reduced, James, the father of James, and family finally were able to settle in what is now Union Twp, Lincoln Co MO near Auburn MO.

As soon as the Indians ceased their hostilities, at the close of the War of 1812-15, the settlers retired from their forts to their respective homes. Some of them who had only settled temporarily, now selected their permanent homes and moved thereon. Those who became permanent settlers in the vicinity of Auburn in 1815 or 1816, were James S. Lewis, David Meracle, Daniel Draper, Joseph Howdeshell, Samuel and James Gibson, James Clark, Joseph McCoy, Lawrence B. Sitton, Robert McNair, Thacker Vivion, and Ezekiel Downing.

    History of Lincoln County, p. 234. <http://digital.library.umsystem.edu> 26 October 2012.

James' father died 6/1825 when he was only eleven years-old. James' mother, Sarah was the administratrix of the estate. Sarah and children are cited in the 1830 and 1840 censuses in Missouri but immediately thereafter crossed the Mississippi River to Adams Co IL.

On 9/5/1840 in Adams Co IL, James married Elizabeth Alexander b. 1820 in Missouri. By 1850, James and his new family migrated back across the river to Scotland Co MO. But, Elizabeth died young. On 8/26/1854 in Scotland Co MO, James married Martha Jane Taylor b. 1835 in Missouri.

With the coming of the Civil War, James enlisted 2/1862 in the 21st Missouri Infantry, USA. (This is my Yankee cousin.) And, the 21st Missouri Infantry was assigned to the 1st Brigade, 6th Division, Army of the Tennessee during the Battle of Shiloh.

Research Note: The American Civil War has been described as brother vs. brother. And, this is true. In the decisive Battle of Shiloh, we find that Union soldier James Lewis of Scotland Co MO was in the most intensive life and death struggle at the Hornet's Nest on Sunday morning 4/6/1862. And in the exact same location, fighting for the Confederates, was my ancestor, J. B. Wilkinson of the 7th Mississippi Infantry.

The battle began on Sunday morning, 4/6/1862 when Confederate LTG Albert Sydney Johnston threw his newly formed Army of Mississippi against the Federal encampment, sweeping MG Grant's Army back toward the Tennessee River. The 2nd and 6th Divisions, USA, held their ground as the remainder of Grant's Army withdrew and reformed behind a defensible position. The Union divisions did their duty but paid heavily in soldiers killed and captured. BG Wallace of the 2nd Division was mortally wounded, and BG Prentiss and most of the 6th Division were captured. And, Pvt James Lewis was right in the middle of the fight at the Hornet's Nest.

The Battle of Shiloh - the Confederate Perspective

In early 1862, the 7th Mississippi Infantry Regiment was ordered to move by rail to northern Mississippi. But on 2/27/1862, there was a railroad collision at Ponchatoula LA with heavy loss of life. As the Regiment approached Jackson TN, they were recalled to Corinth MS when the Union Army of the Tennessee invaded up the Tennessee River Valley. 

The 7th Miss Infantry was assigned to the newly organized Confederate Army of Mississippi under LTG Albert Sydney Johnston and assigned to Chalmer's Brigade in Wiither's Division of Gen. Bragg's Corps.

The Union Army of the Tennessee under MG Grant was assembled at Pittsburg Landing at the confluence of Shiloh Creek and the Tennessee River, awaiting the arrival of three divisions consisting of about 20,000 men from the Union Army of the Ohio. So, Confederate LTG Johnston decided to attack Grant before the second Union army arrived. On Sunday, 4/6/1862, the 7th Miss Infantry as part of Gen. Bragg's Corps charged into the Union encampment. And, the ferocity of the ensuing battle was unprecedented in the western theater. LTG Johnston's Army continued to push the Federals back toward the river. Were it not for two Union divisions under BG W.H.L. Wallace and BG Prentiss--the equivalent of an entire army Corps--who stood their ground until overrun, this would have been a Confederate victory. However, the next day with the arrival of the reinforcing divisions of the Army of the Ohio, the tide turned. And, the 7th Miss Infantry along with the remainder of the Army of Mississippi retreated to Corinth MS where they were besieged.

Having survived the Battle of Shiloh, the 21st Missouri Infantry was engaged in the Siege of Corinth MS through 6/1862. James was wounded sometime during the campaign. This is corroborated by records for the 21st Missouri Infantry which states James was discharged for disability, but the records do not specify where James was discharged. According to descendants, James died of wounds 6/14/1862 in Putnam Co TN which is east of Nashville. In June 1862, this would have been Confederate held territory. As a wounded, discharged Union soldier, how did James pass Confederate lines? Best guess, James was discharged as opposed to listed as captured. And, a captured Union soldier would have been accorded as best accommodations as that of a wounded Confederate soldier.

1850 Federal Census: Scotland County, Missouri
HN  FN   LAST   FIRST      AGE Sex Occup.    BIRTH    
======================================================
182 182  Lewis  James      36  M   Farmer    Missouri
                Elizabeth  29  F             Missouri
1850 Federal Census: Scotland County, Missouri
HN  FN   LAST   FIRST      AGE Sex Occup.    BIRTH    
======================================================
300      Lewis  James      46  M             MO
                Martha J   25  F             MO
                Sarah T    16  F             MO
                Thurza E   14  F             MO
                Zachariah  12  M             MO
                Nancy E    11  F             MO
                Thomas      8  M             MO
                Elizabeth   5  F             MO
                Marietta    3  F             MO
                John S      0  M             MO
James Lewis)
Regiment Name 21st Missouri Infantry
Side Union
Company  C
Soldier's Rank_In  Private
Soldier's Rank_Out  Private
Name Rank Age Description M/S Occupation Nativity Residence Date Enlisted Mustered in When Where By Whom Remarks
Lewis, James Private 48 5'11"/Gray hair/Dk eyes/ Dk C M Farmer Lincoln Co., MO Memphis, Scotland Co., MO 13 July 1861 1 Feb 1862 Canton, MO Lt E Moore Discharged for disability

    Descendants

    Gen #7. John Samuel Lewis (Ancestor of the Missouri Lewises)

    Gen #8. Willard Lewis

    Gen #9. Clifford Leo Lewis

    Gen 10. Donor Lewis

Caveat

This site is provided for reference only. Except where specifically cited, information contained is conjecture and should not be considered as fact.
Home Index About Me