Captain James M. Parks was the son of Carrol Parks, a substantial and respected farmer of Warren
county, Tennessee, His ancestors came from North Carolina at an early period and settled in Warren
county.
In his boyhood Captain Parks labored on his father's farm, and as he arrived at his twentieth year he was placed in Irving College, where he remained as a student until the breaking out of the war between the States. At this time he enlisted in Captain L. H. Meadows's company, and was elected orderly sergeant at its organization in May, 1861. He was elected captain of this company at Corinth in May, 1862, at the reorganization of the regiment, and served in this capacity to the day of his death. Throughout his whole military life Captain Parks was much respected for his upright, exemplary life, and for his many sterling qualities, both as a gentleman and a soldier. He was with
his company through all its marches and in all its battles to that of Chickamauga, when he received a fatal wound on the evening of the first day's fight. He was pierced by a grape-shot through the upper portion of his left breast, the missile ranging in the region of the heart, and he lived but a few hours. His company and regiment lamented his loss as that of a brother.
Captain Parks was in every respect a worthy young man. Kind and respectful to all, he won the good-will and respect of all who knew him. His daily walk and conversation was without spot or blemish. Upright, circumspect, and conscientious in all things, he possessed the respect and confidence of his superiors, as well as those who were under his command. In his seventeenth year, Captain Parks made a profession of religion and became a member of the Baptist Church at Hebron, in the vicinity of his home. He was an upright, pious, and exemplary young man at home, at school, and in all the walks of domestic life. When he entered the army, those Christian graces which he cherished with so much prayerful care in his previous life never yielded to the temptations of army life. He cherished those graces with more watchful care. It was the motto of his daily life in the army that " religion is the same in the army as at home," and requires even more at the hands of its votaries.
Captain Parks was buried on the battle-field of Chickamauga, near the spot where he fell. After the close of the war his remains were removed by his father from the battle field to the church yard at Hebron, where they now rest, and the spot is marked by a marble which records the time and place of his death.
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This is from Confederate Veteran in regards to Captain Parks.
“A Faithful Watch And Its History.—George W. Parks, of Irving College, Tenn., has in his possession a silver watch with a unique history. In 1860 J. M. Parks bought the watch at McMinnville, Tenn., for $48, carrying it with him when he went out as captain of Company H, 16th Tennessee Regiment in May, 1861. Captain Parks was killed in the battle of Chickamauga. Captain Etter took charge of the watch and turned it over to Captain Tipps, who was soon afterwards killed. Captain Etter again secured the watch and placed it in General Shelley’s trunk, from which it was stolen by a negro boy who joined the Federal forces. General Shelley’s command captured the boy and watch, and again Captain Etter took charge of the watch, kept it until the war was over, and brought it home with him to the father of Captain Parks. After the death of the father, it was bought by George W. Parks, and it is still a good time keeper.”
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