By Dale Welch
James Thomas Gills was 32 years old when he joined the Union Cavalry. He left his wife, a daughter and a three-month-old son and went off to fight in the war.
Gills was born in Granville County, NC, in 1832, to Gideon and Mary Tencil Gills. His oldest brother was 15 years older. The last of seven children, James’ father died when he was only six years old.
A typical farm boy, when he was old enough, James helped his mother and older
siblings to plow, plant, harvest. Tobacco was the chief crop in the Granville District during James’ day.
When he was 25, James married Mary Elizabeth Lewis, in Tazewell County, VA. The county is in the southwestern part of Virginia. Mary was born in Harlan County, KY, to John Jarrett and Polly Henimget Lewis, in 1837.
James Thomas Gills was mustered into Capt William Patterson’s Co. B, of Col. Isham Young’s 11th Tennessee Cavalry, on Aug. 15, 1863, for three years’ service. They had trained at Camp Nelon, KY, located about 10 miles from Lexington.
They joined Lt. Col.John de Courcey’s (a British citizen) 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry at Crab Orchard, KY and were sent to Cumberland Gap, TN, They arrived there on Sept. 26, 1863. Among the places they were located during the fall and early winter was Jonesville, Mulberry Creek and they even got to Tazwell on Jan. 24, 1864. Hopefully, Gills got to see his wife and kids.
On Feb. 22, 1864, the 11th Tennessee Cavalry was camped near Gibson’s and Wyerman’s Mills, in Virginia, when the 21st Virginia and 8th Virginia Cavalry (CSA) came upon them and skirmished.
The 11th Tennessee Cavalry was surprised by Confederates. They only got off one volley before they were overtaken. Confederates only had three killed and seven wounded. Federals had 13 killed and several wounded, including Lt. Col. R.A. Davis. Many, including James Thomas Gills were captured. Thirteen of the captured were runaway slaves. Confederates took a stash of blankets and overcoats. One Confederate officer estimated that out of around 175 Federals, one escaped for every one they captured. Pvt. Gills did not escape.
Gills arrived at the dreaded Confederate prison at Andersonville, GA, in early March. On March 18, 1864, Pvt. James Thomas Gills died of Variloa-Smallpox, in the pest house at Andersonville Prison, leaving no effects. His last thoughts of home, Mary Elizabeth, daughter Barbara Allen and little baby
John Albert were only known by God. He is buried in the Andersonville National Cemetery, grave marker
12884.
His widow received a pension for his service. His children grew up without a loving father.
James Thomas Gillis is the Third Great Grandfather of Jon Cleary, of Kingsport; and Fourth Great Grandfather of Colin Cleary, of Kingsport and Rafferty Cleary, of Monterey, TN.
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