J. W. Hassell

HASSELL, JAMES WASHINGTON(1846~1924). James W. Hassell was born June 7, 1846, in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, to Miles Baines Hassell (1812~1890) and Martha Johnson (1818~1901). Miles Hassell and Martha Johnson were both born in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama in the area of Northport, Alabama.

J. W. Hassell joined Company K, 20th Alabama Infantry. The 20th Alabama Infantry was organized at Montgomery, Alabama, on September 16, 1861. The 20th was sent to Vicksburg and took part in the siege. Private Hassell was taken prisoner when Lt. General John C. Pemberton surrendered Vicksburg on July 4, 1863. He was paroled on July 8, 1863. The 20th Alabama Infantry eventually moved into Tennessee with General John Bell Hood. Although, Private Hassell signed his parole paper in 1863, he kept fighting with the 20th Alabama for the duration of the War. He served in Company G, 20th Alabama Infantry. The 20th Alabama Infantry were finally surrendered at Salisbury, North Carolina on May 2, 1865.

Following the War, he married Melissa Deason in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama on December 24, 1866. Melissa was born April 20, 1845 and died April 8, 1916, and is buried in Midway Cemetery, Birmingham, Alabama. Hassell came to Texas in 1884 and worked as a farmer. He was admitted to the Confederate Men's Home on June 17, 1924. James W. Hassell died on September 28, 1924 and was buried at the Texas State Cemetery on September 29, 1924.

Information taken from Compiled Military Service Record; Confederate Pension Application, 39888 Travis County; www.archives.state.al.us/refernc/alamilor/20thinf.html; and biographical information provided by Joanne R. Thompson.