James Ellis

James Ellis (July 10, 1843 – Nov. 6, 1863) was a Union soldier from Scott County who was killed during the Civil War.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

James Ellis was the son of Edward Ellis (1818-1875) and Jane Griffith (1823-1898). He was their oldest child. His siblings, according to an affidavit filed by his mother after his death, included Sarah (born 1843), Sarena (1845), Arbana (1848), Edward Jr. (1853), Savanah (1856), Elvina Jane (1859), and Calaway (1862).

Genealogy records show James’ siblings as Sarena Phillips (1841-1912), Martin Van Buren Ellis (1845-1900), Edward Ellis Jr. (1847-1923), Calloway Calvin Ellis (1850-1927), Arbana Willoughby (1850-1929), Savarie Jane Reed (1858-1910), Parizidia Willoughby (1858-1920), Andrew Johnson Ellis (1861-1937), Mithchel Ellis (1862-1914), Ardel Ellis (1864-1946) and Annis Stonecipher (1871-1944).

Edward Ellis was originally from New River, and the Ellises of the Black Creek Crossroads community near Robbins descended from him. His wife was later buried at Black Creek Crossroads Cemetery in 1898 (it’s not known where Edward was buried).

Civil War

According to Paul Roy’s Scott County in the Civil War, Pvt. Ellis entered the service at Somerset, Ky. on Feb. 1, 1863 and was assigned to Co. B, 2nd East Tennessee Volunteers. He was killed at the Battle of Big Springs at Rogersville, Tenn. on Nov. 6, 1863.

The Battle of Big Springs was the deadliest of the war for Scott Countians. A regiment consisting mostly of Scott Countains was overrun by Confederate forces at the battle, and many Scott Countians were taken prisoner of war and died in prison camps.