The LaMastus family has traced its American roots to a time before the Revolutionary War. Like many others, the Civil War cause a division family. The brothers who fought during the war had scars that lasted for life, both physically and emotionally. The branches of the family remained divided for many years.

James Monroe LaMastus (born June 1827) in Dixon County, Tennessee, moved his young family to a farm near Ravenden Springs, Arkansas (Randolph County) shortly before the beginning of the Civil War. His younger brother William Henry LaMastus (born June 1840) stayed near the original homestead in Tennessee. His only travel was during the time of the war. The log home built in 1830, where both Civil War veterans lived, is still standing today. William was born in the cabin.

In the Fall of 1861 Col. Borland sent out a call for troops and many men answered the call. On November 5, 1861, James M. LaMastus was mustered into Captain Simmington's 1ST Arkansas Volunteers for thirty days. Completing his commitment of thirty-days, James traveled to Glendale, Illinois (Pope County) and enlisted in the Union Calvary on December 21, 1863. There are no family records that indicate the reasoning behind this move but he did enlist under the assumed name of James Monroe. He was assigned as a private with the position as saddler with Company M 13th Regiment Illinois Calvary.

While James Monroe was serving in the Union Army he contracted small pox and hepatitis that resulted in "rheumatism and disease of the bowels, kidneys, and heart". On April 9, 1864, he was transferred to Lawson Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, and then sent to small pox island on May 5, 1864. He was honorably discharged on August 31, 1865 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

He suffered with the effects of small pox for the rest of his life and was virtually disabled until his death in 1906. He drew a military disability pension. An interesting note is that the muster records of the Union Army indicate that James Monroe may never have been paid for the use of his horse ($50.00) during the war.

Sometime during 1862, William enlisted in the 10th Tennessee Calvary CSA. He was severely wounded in the leg by a mini-ball and was crippled the rest of his life. William Henry LaMastus is listed on the roll call of prisoners of war that reads: "Company CO. F, 10 & 11, Tennessee. Regiment of Calvary Confederate States Army Commanded by Captain T. S. Easley, surrendered at Citronelle, Alabama by Lt. General Art Taylor, C.S.A. to Major General E.R.S. Camby, USA, May 4, 1865."

Paroled (not pardoned) at Gainesville, Alabama in 1865, William Henry refused to sign the papers swearing allegiance to the United States after the war. He said, "I was not discharged, I was paroled in Gainesville, Alabama at the close of the war." He died September 11, 1933 at the age of 94

Another brother (George) enlisted in the Confederate Army but deserted and never served. This family was undoubtedly divided for the rest of these brothers' years. James Monroe apparently never again saw his family from Dixon County, Tennessee.

Research done by Yvonne Oxford Hickey; her mother, Joyce Oxford, and Ken LaMastus, who are descendants of James Monroe LaMastus. Ken LaMastus is the great grandson of James and serves as an association executive in Arkansas. His e-mail address is ken-quy@swbell.net.