Jeremiah S. Gage Marker

Jeremiah S. Gage was born on March 9, 1840 in Holmes County, Mississippi on the Gage Plantation. Gage attend the University of Mississippi for his undergraduate degree, and had nearly completed his law degree at the same institution when the American Civil War began in May 1861. He enlisted with the University Greys that month in Oxford, Mississippi.

The 11th Mississippi Infantry, of which the Greys were part, subsequently moved north. Gage wrote several letters of correspondence with his family during his time of service. Many of these letters discussed his current post and the affairs of his regiment. In several letters, Gage references his desire for a substitute to fight in his place. In many ways, such wishes counter the courageous image that many of his fellow soldiers later used to describe him.

Gage fought in several battles and was wounded at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, Virginia before he fought--and died--at the battle of Gettysburg. Before his death Gage wrote one last letter home to his mother. Within this document, Gage recounts his regret for depriving his family of his future worth and assistance, perhaps a reference to his usefulness in managing the family's slaves and plantation. Gage is unable to be properly buried with recognition at Gettysburg because of his allegiance to the Confederate States. His family ultimately placed a symbolic headstone for him in Quiet Ridge Cemetery in Pickens, Mississippi, near their home.

Gage's papers, which are housed at the University of Mississippi Archives and Special Collections, allow historians and scholars to examine his accounts and apply his descriptions of service to other historical records. His accounts help pinpoint specific times, places, and dates which can assist in accounting for many men during their time of service. The letters also add to his family history and shed light on the Gages' involvement with the institution of slavery. Reflecting on Gage’s life allows the current generation and the ones to come insight into the American Civil War. His headstone stands as a reminder of how far the nation has come from what it used to be.

1. Ancestry.com. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
2. E. Annete Hudson Rose, 11th MS Infantry, “The MSGen Web Project,”http://www.msgw.org/noxubee/11thMs.html, (accessed November 5th, 2020).Historical Data Systems, comp. U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2009.
3. University of Mississippi, Gage Family Letters (79-17), Box 1, Location G-14, Origin and Ancestry, “Department of Archives and Special Collections” Oxford, Mississippi.
4. University of Mississippi, Gage Family Letters (79-17), Box 2, Location G-14, “Department of Archives and Special Collections” Oxford, Mississippi.