LEONIDAS DIONCES ROSS

Son of Francis Ross and Nancy Boyd Ross. Born in Tippah County, Mississippi, and died in Leon County, Texas.

At the beginning of the Civil War, Leonidas D. Ross, along with four (4) of his brothers, were all Privates in Co."D", Eleventh Regiment of Mississippi Infantry, CSA. Company "D" was known as the Neshoba Rifles and was mustered into the State army at Neshoba on April 13, 1861. A. H. Franklin was captain of this company.

During the course of the war the Eleventh participated in more that 40 engagements, including battles, sieges, and skirmishes. In the most important conflict of the war, Gettysburg, the Eleventh had no part in the first day's battle, as it had been left as a guard for the division wagon train near Cashtown, Pennsylvania, but on the third day it participated in Pickett's famous charge up the slope of Cemetery Ridge. The Neshoba Rifles took 55 men into the charge. At roll call that evening 10 answered. The rest had been killed, wounded, or captured.

After the war, he moved to Leon County, Texas where he met, and married Ruth Elizabeth McAdams and they had the following children:

1. Ora E.

2. Beulah J., mar. D.R. Crain. One child, Wendell.

3. Hugh L., mar. Addie Zintgraff. Children: Hugh Jr.; Elta.

4. Lillian J., mar. Oscar Hall. Children: Walter; Chester; Merris; Emory.

5. Maude, mar. Kemper Platt. Children: Wessie (died in infancy); Norrell; Katie; Wm. Choice; Dwight; Werth.

6. Anna, mar. Jim Scott Turner. Children: Maurine.

7. Mattie L., mar. Wm. Platt. Children: Terris Earl; Pauline; Wm. Lee; Bonnie; Robert V. Drue; Dean Ross.

8. Wm. Earl, mar. Sallie Trawick. Children: Bernice; Wm. Earl, Jr.

9. Robert Carl, mar. Gladys Robinson. Children: June (died at abt 18 months); Robert Carl, Jr.

10. Verna Ray, mar. Wm. J. Chesak. Children: Wm. Russell (adopted); also adopted Robt. Carl Ross, Jr., who is known as Chesak.

11. Nonnie Ruth, mar. Bill Price. Children; Movie Maie.

The above record compiled by Eugene B. Stephens, grandson of Rebecca Josephine Ross, a sister to Leonidas D. Ross.