Colonel James Lucius Davis (CSA)

James Lucius Davis was from Henrico, Virginia and a graduate of the US Military Academy, West Point, NY, Class of 1833; Class Rank: 16

He served in the US Army as a Lieutenant in the 4th US Artillery from 1833 - 36. By 1850 he was a man of some means in Henrico County, and he was Lt Colonel of the 4th Virginia Cavalry Militia (1858-60). In April 1861 he was Captain of the Henrico Troop - a company of cavalry. In 1861 he also published a book called The Trooper's Manual: or, Tactics for light dragoons and mounted riflemen (A. Morris, Richmond) - being credited as a man who was "for many years commander and instructor of volunteer cavalry"

During the Civil war he was promoted to Colonel and commanded the 10th Virginia Cavalry at the Battle of Antietam.

At th Battle of Gettysburg the regiment brought 236 men to the field. It was commanded by Colonel James Lucius Davis, who was wounded on July 3. He was captured at Hagerstown, on the return leg of the Gettysburg Campaign, by Federal Cavalry in July 1863. Colonel Davis was exchanged and returned to the regiment after being imprisoned at Fort McHenry, Johnson’s Island, and Point Lookout.

He then fought in the the Battle of the WIlderness, the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, the Battle of Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg, Samaria Church (where Private James Lucius Davis, the colonel’s son, was mortally wounded, shot in the face and neck), an Reams Station.

Colonel Davis resigned on March 10, 1865 because he was expected to exercise brigade command but was not promoted to brigadier general. Although he was Jefferson Davis’ cousin, it apparently had no influence.