James Pipes

Jeff Davis Legion, Mississippi Cavalry

Last Updated on  August 6, 2000

James Pipes was the 6th child of Lewis C. Pipes and Nancy Holmes. He was born about 1836 in Adams County and like his brothers Charles and Lewis, he attended College, first attending Centenary College then the University of Virginia and finally graduating from the medical school at the University of Tennessee in 1859. He married Miss Mary Wright on May 20th 1869.  He did not practice medicine but instead was a planter and quite successful.

James served in the Jeff Davis Legion of the Mississippi Cavalry and his family history suggests that he served at Bull Run, Chansellorsville, Antietam, and Gettysburg. He enlisted at age 25 on May 18, 1861 at Natchez, Mississippi. He had been living there and was listed in the 1860 Census in a home with his brother Charles A. Pipes. He brought his own horse, valued at $200.00 and his own equipment valued at $40.00. He was promoted quite often during the war and was a Corporal and a Sargent. in company "A" which was comprised of the "Adams Troop", a unit of men strictly from Adams County. He was wounded or sick during the later part of 1864 and spent time in the Hospital. He was with the Legion when it surrendered in May of 1865.

James and Mary had no children and he left his considerable fortune to his nephews and nieces when he passed away in March of 1919.

The Jeff Davis Legion

Jeff. Davis Cavalry Legion was organized in January, 1862, using the 2nd Mississippi Cavalry Battalion as its nucleus. At that time the unit contained two Alabama, one Georgia, and three Mississippi companies. On July 11, 1864, the 4th Alabama Cavalry and Company D of Mullen’s Georgia Cavalry were assigned to the legion. However, by the end of July, the 4th Alabama Battalion was transferred to the Phillips Georgia Cavalry Legion. The unit served under Generals Hampton, Butler, and P. M. B. Young. It participated in the campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Williamsburg to Cold Harbor, then was active north and south of the James River. In April, 1862, it contained 171 effectives, lost 4 wounded at Brandy Station, and had 4 killed and 10 wounded of the 246 at Gettysburg. En route from Pennsylvania, it had 2 killed and 12 wounded, and 3 were wounded during the Bristoe Campaign. In 1865 the unit was assigned to General Logan’s Brigade and surrendered with the Army of Tennessee. Its field officers were Colonel William T. Martin, Lieutenant Colonels William G. Conner and Fred Waring, and Majors Ivey F. Lewis and W M. Stone.

For additional information on the Jeff Davis Legion,  I recommend two books on the unit written by Donald A. Hopkins entitled "Horsemen of the Jeff Davis Legion" and " The Little Jeff". The first volume looks at the rosters of the men who served in this unit and the second volume details the actions and movements of the unit during the war.

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