Captain James Patton Deaver, C.S.A. (1843-1889)

James Patton Deaver (1843-1889) served in the Confederate Army during the War Between the States being active in the Virginia campaign, the Battle of Seven Pines. He first enlisted at the age of 17 on June 15, 1861 in Company E. 25th North Carolina Regiment. His pistol, an 1851 Colt Navy 0.36 caliber weapon, remained in the family.

This regiment was organized at Camp Clingman, near Asheville, on August 15, 1861; it was then mustered in for twelve months' service. On September 18 the regiment marched from Asheville to Icard Station, below Morganton, where it entrained for Raleigh. There the men were issued uniforms and sent by train to Wilmington, where they arrived September 29th. On that day the men were issued muskets and other weapons at Camp Davis, Mitchell's Sound, and were transferred from state to Confederate service.

He mustered in as a Sergeant. Through service in the Virginia campaigns he rose to the rank of third lieutenant on April 30, 1862 and to first lieutenant on June 22, 1862 before being mustered out near Drewrys Bluff, VA, at his own request. In September, 1862 he reenlisted for a three year term and was assigned to the Quartermaster Corps. He was detached for duty at Hendersonville, NC in October, 1863, about twenty miles from his father's house. His assignment was to procure food and supplies for the Confederate troops; however his job was made very difficult by bands of marauders and army deserters roaming the mountain counties. He must have routed out and punished a number of the robbers for he seemed to have incurred their enmity. One such band of brigands sought him out at his father's home in 1865 and mistakenly killed his father when he opened the door. After the War he left Transylvania County to avoid a fate like that of his father and went to Ringgold, GA were he lived several years. There he met and married Emma Combs. Both he and his father-in-law served as the Ordinary in Catoosa County, J.M. Combs from 1869-1872 and JPD from 1873-74.

He returned to Transylvania County and is listed in the 1880 Federal Census with his wife and two eldest children. During the late 1870's he served two terms in the North Carolina House of Representatives and one in the Senate. He died suddenly at the age of 45 while riding on horseback on business in the Pisgah Forest from a heart attack, leaving his widow with four young children: Robert, John, Jamie, and Julia. He was a Mason.

At a Confederate reunion his former commanding officer praised his outstanding courage and bravery. He attended Davidson College where he was the top Latin scholar up to that time.

His commission read:

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

To James P. Deaver GREETINGS

We, reposing special trust and confidence in your patriotism, valor, and military skill, do hearby commission you a Captain in the Fourteenth Battalion, North Carolina Troops, to take the rank from the 14th day of April, 1864, and we do hereby vest you with the authority appertaining to said office, to the end that you may promptly and diligently perform its duties, as prescribed by law; in the discharge of which all Officers and Soldiers under your command are required to yield you obedience.

In witness whereof, ZEBULON B. VANCE, our Governor, Captain-General, and Commander-in-Chief, hath signed these presents, and caused our Great Seal to be affixed thereto.
Done at our City of Raleigh, on the 29th day of April, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, and in the eight-eighth year of our Independence.

Camp 25th Reg. near Petersburg, VA

June 22, 1862

Dear Sister,

Knowing that you will be anxious to hear from me I improve this the first oppportunity for writing. We came to this place yesterday morning and expect to leave it tomorrow morning at seven o'clock as we have orders to that effect-- leaving our tents and baggage behind. I suppose the march will be in the direction of Richmond. Gen. Re???? is in command of this brigade. Maj. Gen. Holmes is also here. He came up on the train with us and will stay here until the fight is over if there is one. There is to be a batallion of sharp shooters made up in the brigade today. Capt. Blake is to take command of the company from our Regiment, having received his appointment from the commanding general. Five men are to be taken from each company in the regiment to form the company of sharp shooters. I have heard no news since we came here except that the yankees have been reenforced at Richmond. I am very much pleased with this part of the country, find the water very good, and health if we stay here. I saw a hill yesterday for the first time since the 25th of September last. I have heard from Capt. Young since we left. Lt. Gr??? eloped at the Hospital at Wilson. The mail starts in a few minutes.

J.P. Deaver

A letter addressed to Mollie J. Deaver, Davidson River, NC:

Dear Sister,

Having an opportunity to send a few lines directly to you by Mr. Osborn. I hasten to improve it from your kind letter is still unanswered and I have only a few minutes to communicate my thoughts to you this morning period. Three of our men get furloughs this morning and I suppose they are pretty well pleased with themselves and mankind in general. Two of them have been sick for some time and have got off on that account. We are going to move up the RR. about eight miles in a day or two probably in the morning. I wrote you a note some time ago to send me my trunk and some clothing. If you have not already sent it you can send the trunk by someone that is passing and if you have not sent the Pants I would rather have the cloth if you can get some that would suit for coat and pants and have it made to order. It is a very hard matter to get Uniforms anywhere now, there is such a demand for it. There was an order read out on "drum Parade" about two weeks ago that all officers who were not uniformed in seven days would be relieved of their command. We had already sent for material, but fearing that it would not come we sent to Raleigh Wilmington and Charleston but failed to get any. But the goods came that we sent for and we got it made up. I did not get my letter finished this morning for Charlie to carry. I had to quit writing to go to town and get transportation for the sick men and did not get them off in time for the morning train but they will get started this evening and probably overtake those who started this morning. I fear we are going to have a good deal of sickness if we stay here through the summer. Capt. Young has been unwell for some time and seemed to be getting better until last night when he was taken worse and bids fair for a bad spell of the fever. I have felt great anxiety about our troops at Richmond for the last week. I saw an account of the casualties of the 10th Reg. Lt. Wood of the "Henderson Guard" was slightly wounded, Lee Miller and a Mr. Bell seriously wounded--- many others slightly wounded but I suppose you have seen an account of it. I will send this by Mr. Alexander who lives at Catheys Creek. You must write soon and give me the news. Excuse ---- --- today,

Your Bro. J.P. Deaver

Follows a letter to his wife:

House of Representatives
Raleigh, NC
Feb. 27th, 1887

My dearest Wife,

I propose to devote a part of this Sabbath evening to a conversation with my sweetheart, and will remark in the first place that the weather is pretty rough. The day is clear and bright, but the wind is blowing a gale and has been all day. We had to go home last at 11 o'clock through rain and wind both. I imagine the wind is sweeping up on down the river where you are in fearful gales, but I hope you have a good fire and are making yourself comfortable. The funeral of Mrs. Bob Kerr takes place this evening, at the 1st Pres. church & I would go if I did not want to write this letter & the wind was not so high. I am feeling very well today, as much as any day since I have been here, and want to continue to do so until I come to see you.

This week we are to have two sessions during the day and one at night lasting until 11 o'clock. Making 9 1/2 hours work during the day. Our night sessions have lasted till 11 for some time. At first the hour was fixed at 10. Well I am glad we are going ahead and hope every body will get his bills through. So there is not much probability of my writing any more letters of much length.
I think it probable that we will not leave here until Monday evening as it is going to take to the last hour to get the business through. So don't send for me Monday. If we do get off I will manage to get home Monday, and it may be best for us to try and get up by the mail back any way. If there is no mishap, I will be at grand central Tuesday night --- home Wednesday.

If you should send for us who ever comes will know where to find us. I will not leave the matter all with you as some body might be wanting to go down about that time, or something of the kind that I know nothing about. What I mean is for you not to trouble yourself or any body else about it. We broke down as we came to Asheville--- not much of a break, but it took us some time to with up. So enough as to the time of departure & arrival. I feel that it will be a disappointment to you if I have to stay two days longer but I know you will say stay, if it is right and best. Mr. Wilson is anxious to go on Saturday evening if we can properly do so.

I hope you went over to Mr. Davis' and had a pleasant day, and that you have had more of them since.

Monday morning. So many crowded into the House that I quit to finish this A.M. This is the sharpest morning we have had since January. Nothing to add in the way of news. I feel quite well and able for the work ahead of us. Your letter will reach me mailed as late as Thursday even if I leave here Saturday night. I think now we are going to have some fine weather. The wind has dried up the streets and it is nice walking. I do not think of any thing more to write at present and will say good bye for a day or two.

Kind regards to all & love for yourself and the little ones.

Truly yours,
J.P. Deaver

IN MEMORY OF CAPTAIN JAMES P. DEAVER

[The following lines in memory of Capt. James P. Deaver, were tendered to the French Broad Voice, by one to whom Captain Deaver was very kind while in life. For reasons unknown the Voice would not publish them, and they were handed to me. Knowing that you would take pleasure in publishing any tribute to as worthy a memory as Captain Deaver's I gladly surrender them to your worthy columns. M.]

Gone from his peaceful happy home,
Beside the mountain stream;

To a home above not made with hands,
Within his Savior's realm.


His heart he carried in his hand,
That hand always extended;

Any might count upon his help,
For with all his sympathies blended.


The poor will truly mourn his loss,
As a dear, dear friend, and brother,

For his place in their hearts and homes,
Can never be filled by another.


For many years he has been spared,
For his noble work to do;

I shall not on his lifetime dwell,
For he grandly lived it through.


And to you who were his soldiers,
From this life your captain's gone;

But 'ere now he has joined his company,
Over the river, just beyond.


When your life is about to close,
And you feel the end is near,

Peace and joy will enter your soul,
When you remember your captain is there.


When you have crossed over that stream,
Ands are climbing its shining banks.

Then again he will greet you,
And again you will join his ranks.


You will find him leading his company,
And bravely fighting above;

You will find him leading them to victory,
Fighting for God and his love.

E.


Capt. Deavor

Mrs. Deavor

Deavor House

James P. Deavor IV