Person Page 277

James E. Price¹

Facts and Notes

• Birth: Before 1848; He was older than his brother John W, who was born about 1848.¹
• Anecdote: About 1861; See person note below.¹

• Note: In Early Settlers of Alabama, James Saunders writes that during the US Civil War, James E. "had the honor of being a member of the Ninth Alabama Regiment, whose record includes a great many of the bloodiest battles of the war. The last battle in which he took part with this regiment was that of Sharpsburg. The company to which he belonged had been so reduced by casualties that only three men entered the fight, and they were James E. Price, W. Harper and Willis. In that bloody conflict Willis was killed. Price and Harper were elected Lieutenants in Col. James Malone's Regiment of cavalry, and were transferred to it by proper authority. Thomas Malone, Esq. (now Professor in the Law Department of Vanderbilt University), was their captain. Lieutenant Price was frequently on scouting expeditions within the enemy's lines, near Nashville, which, to one so long confined to the monotonous routine of the infantry, was very exciting. Here an incident occurred which was quite amusing. It somehow became known to the commanding officer that Colonel Brownlow, of the Federal Army (who was a very enterprising young officer and had been troublesome to our side), frequently visited a young lady (whom he afterward married) who was a member of a Union family. As her home was within the Federal lines, the young colonel used no precaution, against capture, in making his visits. Lieutenant Price attempted his capture, and the first effort he made was nearly successful; for the colonel barely escaped the trap. Not long after, he made a second attempt, and approaching the house he left his squad not far off. Finding' that his man had not arrived, he entered the house, and commenced a conversation with the young lady. Very soon he heard the steps of several men approaching the door, and seeing no means of escape he slipt under the bed, which was in the room. In a few moments, Colonel Brownlow, and several others entered. The young lady did not betray him; for although she had Union opinions, she had Southern feelings. For two long hours (the longest of any other two in his life) the conversation continued, and at length the colonel and his comrades left without discovering him. He participated in all the battles with his regiment, until his company was captured at Shelbyville, while attempting to defend a battery, which was covering the crossing of our troops. They were taken to Johnson's Island, and were imprisoned there twenty months, before they were exchanged. They arrived at home three or four weeks before the surrender."

Citations

1. [S21] Saunders, James Edmonds, Early Settlers of Alabama, page 122