DOB:  August 5, 1839 DOD:  March 17, 1891 Age at Enlistment: 21 Date of Enlistment:  May 9, 1861 Place of Enlistment:  Franklin, TN Rank at Enlistment:  Private Rank at Discharge:  Private Casualty:  Received a gunshot wound in the middle, index, and thumb of his right hand at Adairsville, GA on May 17, 1864. Comments:  James Knox Polk McEwen was born and raised in Williamson County on the McEwen family land north of Franklin the eastern side of modern day Hwy 31 or Franklin Road.  The family home called “Aspen Grove” is now being used a the front office for a golf course.  He was a cousin to James McEwen, was the half uncle of Christopher Ridley, and his sister Isabella married John Bullock.  He enlisted at the formation of the company in 1861.  George Nichols of the Williamson Grays refers to him as “Clunky Jim” in his writings and was messmates with James.  In March and April of 1863 he was detailed to help with regimental wagons.  After receiving his wound at the Battle of Adairsville, otherwise known as the Octagon House, he was declared unfit for combat and detailed to hospital staff.  From March 4 to April 29, 1865 his is listed as a patient at Ocmulgee Hospital in Macon, GA with Gonorrhea (only Williamson Gray documented contracting a venereal disease).  He was surrendered at Citronelle, AL on May 4, 1865 and paroled on May 17 at Columbus, MS.  Upon returning home his married one of his neighbors, Nannie Shute sister of John W. Shute, in Sept. 1865.  The couple had eight children and continued farming his family’s land.  He is buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Franklin, TN in section A. 

Above Left:  James McEwen’s Grave at Mount Hope Above Right:  Aspen Grove, McEwen home Below:  James McEwen’s Portrait

McEwen was a charter member of the John L. McEwen Bivouac of the United Confederate Veterans in Franklin.  His application is here.