James Robert Dewees who died January 12, 1927, in Ward Township, Kanawha County was the son Pvt Benjamin Casto Dewees, who enlisted into the 11th West Virginia Infantry on August 14, 1862 in Cottageville. Benjamin was joined by his brothers Alfred E.S. Dewees and Henry Spencer Dewees, as well as cousins William Jabel Dewees, Joshua Kessel Dewees, and nephew Moses Parsons.

Private Moses Parsons drowned in the Ohio River, April 24, 1864, falling off a steamboat carrying the regiment from Parkersburg to Camp Piatt (St. Albans) for the New River Campaign. The 11th fought under General George Crook (of Geronimo fame) and served through the heavy fighting in the Shandoah Valley and the Final Campaign (Petersburg-Appomattox).

Benjamin was wounded at 2nd Kernstown from a minie ball to his right side, at Hatchers Run from a slight gunshot wound to the leg, and also suffered from a severe sunstroke attack on a forced march into Maryland.

Alfred E.S. Dewees was wounded at the Battle of Cloyd's Mountain from a gunshot wound to his ring finger while tamping down his musket.

Henry and William Jabel Dewees were injured together from a cannon explosion during the charge at Fishers Hill, when Crook flanked Early's army, causing Early's hasty retreat. All these men were forced marched from Petersburg to Appomattox as part of the Independant Division of General John Gibbon's (Iron Brigade Commander) XXIV Corps, that was a part of General E.O.C. Ord's Army of the James, under the overall command of General U.S. Grant. The XXIV Corps with the Independent Division (Army of West Virginia) in the lead outmarched Geneeral Lee's Army of Northern Virginia causing Ord to say "put these West Virginians on flat land, and they can outmarch any army". Relieving Custers Cavalry, the West Virginians blocked CSA General Gordons troops outside Appomattox, causing Lee to surrender. One of the flags of surrender was positioned to the front of these West Virginians. The 11th spent much time in Kanawha County and many of its survivors finally settled there.

Kanawha County In The Civil War