Ananias Leagan

Ananias was the son of James (Ligon) Leagan (1775) and Anne Naish Gregory (1775). James was the son of John Ligon (1753-1810) and Jane Annis Dunnavant (1760-1862). John was the son of John Ligon (1730-1774) and Mary Moseley (1735-1834).

This is where our paternal lineage changed from the original spelling of our name to present day. No information has been found yet as to the reason for the changing of the name down through the line.

The Yadkin Ripple 1 May 1958

The following is copied from State Magazine about old man Ananias Leagan, but there are many people who remember him and enjoy his many tall tales:
Up in Yadkin County, if you tarry long enough, says Dr . Francis Anscombe of Winston, Salem you’ll hear the phrase : “thinks he’s as smart as old Ananias Leagan’s buzzard.”

And Dr. Anscrombe explains:
Old Ananias has not been in his grave so very long and he never hesitated to recount his adventure so there are many who can confirm the incident.

Ananias was given an unpropitious name and he endured a frightening experience. He had been drafted into the Confederate Army and was severely wounded at Fredericksburg. The patrol passed him by and he remained helpless for three days. He was aroused from unconsciousness by something hurting his eyes. He looked up and to his horror saw a black form upon him.

At first he supposed it was the devil himself coming to claim him, but he found it was a buzzard pecking at his eyes, which is their habit. As he moved, the disgusting creature backed away, but returned. Stealthily Ananias brought his hands up to his face, and when the monster attacked him again he seized it b y the neck with the determination to choke it.

Then ensued a battle royal.

The bird flailed him with its powerful wings and scratched him frightfully with it s talons. The natives say “it flogged him like hell.” The soldier knew it was a fight to the death, and what horror could be greater then to encounter a giant bird of prey in the process of devouring you.

Ananias did not let go because he dared not, and because of his wounds he could not use his legs to defend himself.

Fortunately the patrol was attracted by the fluttering of the bird, and they brought Ananias into camp where his injuries were attended to.

He became a dresser of millstones, and was quite a character. The story, as told here, is flat and tame because one cannot use in print the picturesque profanity with which some veterans who knew Ananias would embellish the story.

As everyone knows the Civil War started in 1861 and lasted to 1865. As every family was affected in the North and in the South so were the Leagans' family.

Ananias and James Matthew enlisted in the army of the South in Yadkin County North Carolina. James enlisted on 31 August 1861 at the age of 19 and was assigned with Company I, 28 Regiment, called the Yadkin Stars. Ananias enlisted at the age of 41 on 8 March 1862 and was assigned to the same Company as his son James Matthew.

They were both captured at Hanover Court House Virginia, 27 May 1862. Confined at Fort Monroe, Virginia and Fort Columbus, New York Harbor. Both were transferred and paroled to Aiken’s Landing, James River, Virginia where they were received on 12 July 1862 for exchange. Declared exchanged at Aiken’s Landing on 5 August 1862.

The men in the 28th Regiment were also known for their sharpshooting abilities and were used for that purpose a lot. This Regiment was in the battles listed below. (The North named their battles differently from the South.)

27 May 1862 — The battle of Taliaferro’s Mill or Hanover Court House

26 June 1862 — The battle of Mechanicsville (north of Richmond Virginia)

27 June 1862 — The battle of Gaines Mill

30 June 1862 — The battle of Frayser’s Farm

1 July 1862 — The battle of Malvern Hill

9 August 1862 — The battle of Cedar Run or Cedar Mountains

29/30 August 1862 — The battle of 2nd Manassas or Bull Run

1 September 1862 — The battle of Ox Hill

17 September 1862 — The battle of Sharpsburg or Antietam

13 December 1862 — The battle of Fredericksburg

3 May 1863 — The battle of Chancellorsville

1 July 1863 — The battle of Gettysburg

7 November 1863 — The battle of Kelly’s Ford

29 November 1863 — The battle of Mine Run

5 May 1864 — The battle of Wilderness

12 May 1864 — The battle of Spotsyvania Court House

4 June 1864 — The battle of 2nd Cold Harbor

27 July 1864 — The battle of Deep Bottom

28 July 1864 — The battle of Gravel Hill

25 August 1864 — The battle of Reams Station

31 August 1864 — The battle of Liberty Mills

9 April 1865 — The battle of Appomattox, where the War was over.