James Elisha Reynolds was the grandson of Elisha Reynolds, a patriot lieutenant in the Wilkes County Militia, North Carolina during the Revolutionary War.  He was born in Carroll County, Mississippi on July 17, 1837.  The youngest of nine children and the son of the Reverend Bowen Reynolds and Sarah (Meaux) Reynolds.  He was orphaned at 14 years old.

On Feb 26, 1861, he enlisted as a private for one year in Co K, “Carroll County Rifles” 11th Mississippi infantry regiment.  He was stationed at Lynchburg VA and sent by train to the First Manassas battle but arrived after the battle was over.  On Feb 27, 1862, he enlisted as a Sergeant for 3 years or duration of the war with Company K, “Dixie Boys” 30th Mississippi Infantry regiment.  He fought at Perryville KY and, Murfreesboro TN.  He fought at Chickamauga and was wounded at Look Out Mountain.  After recovering from his wounds he rejoined his regiment for the Atlanta Campaign.

At New Hope Church Reynolds was wounded and left for dead on the battlefield by his comrades.  The commander’s two teenage daughters went out on the battlefield to find him.  The girls rescued him and nursed him back to health.  The 30th went on to fight at Franklin and Nashville.  In March 1865 Reynolds was furloughed due to his wounds.  After the war, he moved to Indian Territory with his wife Felicity, a member of the Choctaw Nation. He was a pioneer in the area, being a farmer and an entrepreneur.  He died on June 26, 1920.  He had a marble statue grave marker commissioned to remember the two girls who saved his life at the Battle of New Hope Church.  His grave memorial is a marble statue of  2 young girls helping carry a wounded confederate soldier between them.  His grave marker reads, “Lest We Forget,  James E. Reynolds Co K, 30th Miss Inf.”  James E. Reynolds served as a private with Co K, 11th Miss.  He served as a Sergeant, junior second lieutenant, second lieutenant, first lieutenant, and Captain with Co K, 30th Miss. Infantry Regiment.