Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1916-11-03
Tribute To Ira Russell
Macon, Miss oct. 80, 1916.

A few days ago / received a letter
from my good friend. George Russell,
telling me that his uncle Ira A. Russell
had lately died in Texas and as | had
served in the Army Of Northern Viz
GINA from 81 to SO with Ira, and
know his worth az q man and a soldier
am writing this tribute to his mem
DRY. AS Ira was a splendid soldier
serving, rs his captain, Thomas Stokes
well said, from start TO finish. from
Manassas to Petersburg, where he was
captured, l am gladly to pay this tri-
butte to his memory.
Ira A. Russell was born June 49,
1887, four miles east OF Macon and
What is nov known az the Laid place
and died September 10, 1916, in Haskell
county, Texas, at the age OF 70. He
was the son Of that staunch old Con-
federate, Perry G. Russell and his wife
Martha Taylor Russell. His father,
Perry G., gave eight boys to the Con-
federate cause, and there were no bet
ter soldiers than these Russell boys.
Only two Of them are now living.
namely: John A. Russell Of Kauf-
man county. Texas, and our own Jack
Russell, who was a gallant member OF
Company A, 9Th Mississippi Cavalry,
now residing in Clay County, Miss,
having had the honor OF serving that
county az member Of the Mississippi
Legislature.
Ira enlisted in the first company that
left Noxubee county for the war, the
famous Noxubee Rifles and all who
served with him bear testimony 10 his
soldierly qualities. He not only showed
great gallantry in action but was I'M
firing on all the marches and az Capt.
Stokes said, twas yer in a fine humor
and always enlivened the boys with
much Jest and laughter and no one
but an old soldier knows how much
good this does.
He served with this company until
our line was broken at Petersburg, the
day before Richmond fell. and although
at first he refused to surrender and at
tempted to escape by swimming the
pond Just be hind our line, he was
forced to come back and surrender
with the rest Of the regiment. This
WAS only a few days before the end
,ame at Appomattox. He and W. II
smith Of this county were captured to-
yether and were always boon com
panions and were released from prison
1t the same time and later came home
together, arriving in Macon some time
in July after many hair-breadth es-
capes. Coming through east Tennes-
see the negro soldiers on the train
were quite abusive and Ira proposed
that as soon as it got dark they would
capture the negro soldiers and put
them out Of the car window, but the
guards were relieved before dark and
they were not molested again,
Ira came home, went to work and
made a good citizen and in 1867 he
married Miss Alabama Harrington,
daughter of DR.. Harrington Of Chicka-
saw county, Miss, and a short time
after this they moved to Clay county,
Miss. and lived there until about 20
years ago, when he. with his family,
moved to Haskell county, Texas. He
and his wife professed religion and
joined the Methodist church and be-
came consistent members, remaining
such until his death.
This union was blessed with four
children, two sons and two daughters,
who, together with his wife. survive
him,
Very few of the old Noxubee Rifles
are now living, Captain Stokes of
Columbus. Frank Howell of Durant.
Bill Smith and Sam Bowen Of this
county are all the survivors that | can
now recall.
Ira visited his relatives III this county
several years ago and | was sorry | die
not get to meet him at that time.
In conclusion | will say again, thai
he made a good soldier, a fine either
and was in every respect AZ honest up
right man, and this is a record that hi
family can cherish and be proud Of.
Yours truly,
+. D. C.