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Inscription:
Col. J. R. Love - Born Aug. 19, 1831 - Died Nov. 10, 1885.
Photograph is Courtesy of Mr. Randall Cooper
Inscriptions:
(Left) Julia Reagan Love - Dau. of Gen.
James H. Reagan - Wife of Col. James Robert Love - Born Sept. 4, 1843 - Died Jan. 1, 1926. (Right) Col. J. R. Love - Born Aug. 19, 1831 - Died Nov. 10, 1885.
Photograph is Courtesy of Mr. Randall Cooper
Lieutenant Colonel*
James Robert Love II: Infantry Regiment, Thomas' Legion
He was a graduate of Emory and Henry College, studied law, and was a member of the North Carolina Legislature. After
the war, he was a member of the North Carolina Constitutional Convention (1868) and later served in the State Senate. James R. Love was a first cousin to Sallie Love, Will Thomas's wife, and Waynesville, North Carolina , was founded by his grandfather Robert Love. James R. Love II passed from this earthly life on November 10, 1885.
According to Mr. Randall Cooper, after the war, James Robert Love II resided in Sweetwater, Tennessee, and was a successful banker. Julia's father, James Reagan,
although an elderly gentleman, was a Confederate "militia general" during the American Civil War. During the war, General
Reagan was arrested by the Federals, imprisoned at Knoxville,
and died while incarcerated. There are numerous Confederate veterans, including several Loves and some Reagans, interred
in the West View Cemetery on Monroe Street, Sweetwater, TN.
(Courtesy of Mr. Randall Cooper)
*In O.R., 1, 49, part II, p. 669, on May 7, 1865, (almost one month after Gen. Lee surrendered
at Appomattox) James R. Love was officially recorded as Lieutenant Colonel. In the same report, the writer was precise
in his address by recording COLONEL Thomas and LEIUTENANT COLONEL Love. However, Love was nominated and selected
for COLONEL, but since it occurred in the last month of the Civil War, it never officially occurred.
But, in informal communication, it is acceptable to write or state COLONEL in lieu of LEIUTENANT COLONEL.
Vernon H. Crow, Storm in the Mountains,
states that Love was promoted to COLONEL in March 1865, but Crow's source is the Charlotte Western Democrat and Lt. Colonel
William Stringfield's diary. He was
also recommended for promotion to Brigadier General according to Lt. Colonel Stingfield's diary, November
1, 1864. According to Matthew Brown, Editor, North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865: A Roster, Historical
Publications Section, N.C. Office of Archives and History, the only information to
indicate that Love was promoted to full colonel was a notice in the March 21, 1865, Charlotte Western Democrat (this is also
Vernon Crow's source). The date of the supposed promotion was not given, but would have been later than January 17, 1865 (the
last document to reflect Love as Lt. Col.); the accuracy of the notice is unknown. Thomas had mentioned a desire
to promote Love on at least one occasion (a letter dated April 27, 1864). Beyond that is speculation.
In concluding: The Charlotte Western Democrat and Stringfield's diary entry don't supersede official
documents and records. Furthermore, this writer has
not located any official document reflecting Love's mustering out rank as COLONEL. As previously stated, Love was
addressed as Lieutenant Colonel 4 weeks after General Lee's surrender and the North Carolina Office of Archives and History:
Historical Publications, concurs by reflecting Love's mustering out rank as Lieutenant Colonel. However, according to rank
verses responsibility, Love was well deserving of COLONEL.
Advance to:
Recommended Reading: Storm in the Mountains: Thomas' Confederate Legion of Cherokee Indians
and Mountaineers
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