Captain James E. Reynolds

(Located this touching monument at Oak Cemetery in Ft. Smith, AR.)

This monument marks the final resting place for:

Felicity L Reynolds

Nov 17, 1847

Oct 24, 1920

James E Reynolds

July 17, 1837

June 26, 1920

The monument, carved in Italy, is that of a wounded soldier being helped by two young women. The statue is a tribute to the two teenage girls who rescued the wounded Captain Reynolds from the battlefield in New Hope, Georgia.

Captain James E. Reynolds was a Confederate soldier from Mississippi.  He became well known for building the famed "Captain's Castle" in Cameron, OK.

Brief History of Capt. Reynolds

James Reynolds was born on July 17, 1837 and died on June 26, 1920 at the age of 83. He joined the the Civil War at the age of 25. He was raised in a southern family, so naturally he quickly joined sides with the Confederates. He rose through the ranks of Company K, the company was known as the "Dixie Boys" of Carroll County. Through hard work he became its captain just before the war ended.

He suffered many injuries during the Battle of New Hope in the Atlanta Campaign. One injury being so serious that he would have died had it not been for the kindness and care that the two daughters of his commanding officer provided him.  These are the two teenage girls depicted in his monument. He made sure their kindness was remebered by commissioning an this monument before his death.
After the war he finally settled in Indian Territory with his wife Felicity, settling with his family just outside of Fort Smith in the area that is now known as Arkhoma. He prospered in this area and became a successful merchant and rancher. Also becoming heavily involved in the development of coalmines in the area.

In 1890, his wife purchased the title to a parcel of land in Cameron, OK. He began the construction of what is now know as the "Captains Castle".  In a few years this great medieval castle was completed.  The Captain's Castle is a private residence but it can be viewed from Castle Street in Cameron, OK. It remains as one of the few castles ever built in the South. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Found this information in A history of the state of Oklahoma, Volume 1 By Luther B. Hill.

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