John J. Reavis was born in Cherokee County, GA, May 28, 1845, to James Jackson and Mary Elizabeth Williams Reavis. He was their first born child. It is not know the exact year that the Reavis Family migrated from GA to Winston County Alabama. The first records found indicate that James Jackson Reavis entered land in 1858. By this time the threat of Civil War loomed over Winston County, AL and the rest of the South. Like so many others in the County of Winston John J. Reavis pledged his allegiance to the Union. He was not yet 19 years old when he joined the Union Army in the First Alabama Cavalry in CO. L at Fayette County Alabama on September 25, 1863. In her deposition when Elizabeth filed for his military pension, she described him as "quite a good sized boy and could do lots of work." His military records describe him as being 5' 6" tall, black hair and black eyes and dark complexion. He was never married.

George W. Reavis, John J. Reavis's youngest brother states that he recalled his brother coming home on furlough. He remembered his dark blue coat and the big brass buttons. He stated, " I can remember his going to the glass to comb his hair, but it is all like a dream to me."

John J. Reavis died in Adams Hospital in Memphis, TN of Measles on March 9, 1864. Captain Trammell, on a recruiting expedition through Winston County stopped and told James Jackson and Elizabeth Reavis of John J's death. As described by William Pulliam in his deposition for Elizabeth's pension, he stated that he was at the Reavis home when Captain Trammell told them of John J. Reavis's death. He said, " I can tell you it looked as though it would kill Elizabeth Reavis." John J. Reavis is buried in Memphis National Cemetery, marker #1376 .

* James Jackson and Elizabeth Reavis were divorced after they moved to Texas. Elizabeth filed for John's pension first in 1893. She did not complete the requirements. She again file for his pension again in 1905 and received it. She died in 1908 in San Saba, Locker, Texas.

Database created and maintained by Ryan Dupree.

Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.

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