James M. Ellis
Residence was not listed;
Enlisted as a Private (date unknown).
He also had service in:
"F" Co. AL 5th Infantry
(Brother of Thomas Jefferson Ellis of same unit)
Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:
- Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records
- Confederate Veteran Magazine
Private James M. Ellis, Clerk, age 20, enlisted in (Old) Company G, 5th Alabama Infantry, subsequently (New) Company F, April 10, 1861, at Cahaba, Alabama, captured September 15, 186_ at South Mt., sent to Fort Delaware Prison Camp, Del., exchanged at Aikens Landing, Virginia, November 10, 1862 [???], killed Juy 1862 at Malvern Hill, Nancy Ellis, his mother, filed claim for his effects April 14, 1863, amount found due $104.17, he left no widow or children
THE FIFTH ALABAMA INFANTRY.
The Fifth Alabama regiment was organized at Montgomery, May 5,
1861.
Its first duty was at Pensacola, Fla. In August it was
ordered to report to the commending officer of the army of
Northern Virginia.
Its first colonel was the renowned Robert E. Rodes, who was
promoted to brigadier-general, October 21, 1861, and to the
rank of major-general, May 2, 1863. He was distinguished in
all the battles of Northern Virginia and was wounded and
disabled at Seven Pines, but recovered sufficiently to resume
command of the brigade at the battles of Boonsboro and
Sharpsburg. He was then placed in command of a division,
which he led in its brilliant charge on Hooker's line at
Chancellorsville, and it was for his gallantry in this battle
that he received the commission of major-general.
He was greatly distinguished at Gettysburg, The Wilderness,
Spottsylvania, the second battle of Cold Harbor, Castleman's
Ferry, Kernstown and Winchester. In the latter battle, while
triumphantly leading his division, he received a mortal wound,
lamented by his commanders and the entire army of Northern
Virginia, toward whose great victories he had largely
contributed.
Generals Lee and Stonewall Jackson spoke of him in terms of
highest commendation, and at Gettysburg his gallantry and
skillful conduct elicited from General Lee his admiration and
special thanks.
The next commander of this regiment was Christopher C. Pegues,
who, like General Rodes, also reached great distinction, and
after winning the encomiums of his commander for his gallantry
in many battles, was killed while leading his regiment in the
bloody charge at Cold Harbor.
Allen T. Jones, Lafayette Hobson and Josephus M. Hall
afterward succeeded in command of this regiment. John T.
Morgan, afterward a brigadier-general, was at one time its
lieutenant-colonel, and Eugene Blackford its major.
Its first severe engagement was at Seven Pines, May 31 and
June 1, 1862, where it lost 27 killed and 128 wounded. It
also earned a well-merited meed of honor at Gaines' Mill and
Cold Harbor, June 27th and 28th; Malvern Hill, July 1st to
5th; Second Manassas, August 30th; Boonsboro, September 15th;
Sharpsburg, September 17, 1862; Chancellorsville, May 1 and 4,
1863; Gettysburg, July 1 to 3, 1863; the Wilderness, May 5, 6
and 7, 1864; Spottsylvania, May 8 to 18, 1864; Second Cold
Harbor, June 1 to 12, 1864; advance upon Washington, July,
1864; battle of Winchester, July 24, 1864, and the terrible
conflict in the trenches around Petersburg, September, 1864,
to April, 1865.
Among the other officers who were killed in battle were Capt.
G. W. Johnson at Cold Harbor, Capt. William T. Renfro at
Chancellorsville, Capt. N. R. E. Ferguson at the Wilderness,
Capt. George Reed near Winchester, Capt. J. N. Gilchrist at
Second Cold Harbor, Lieut. L. D. Wiley at Seven Pines,
Lieutenant Ramsey at Gaines' Mill, and Lieut. Albert J. Wilcox
at Gettysburg.
Source: Confederate Military History, vol. VIII, p. 66