Confederate Private Ellison L. Starnes died of disease as a prisoner at Fort Delaware Military Prison in March 1865, just weeks before the war ended. He was a member of Co. C, 10th NC Regiment Artillery.

Ellison Starnes last name was previously Cagle as he is listed in the North Carolina census as Ellison Cagle living with Esther Wentz Starnes. Not sure of his parentage. DNA reports have confirmed his 2nd great grandchild as a descendant of the upper Starnes family lines including Frederick Starnes. Ancestry DNA Test Thru Lines strongly suggest that Andrew Starnes is his father.

Ellison was married to Sarah Annie Keziah, the daugther of John Kissiah (1785-1860) and Esther Hargett (b. 1812).

His son, Ellison Leander Starnes Jr. married Mattie Elizabeth Kissiah. Mattie was the daughter of Thomas Allison Kissiah. Thomas was the sister of the above mentioned Sarah Annie Keziah and son of John Kissiah (1785-1860) and Esther Hargett (b. 1812). They had the following children: Lily Mae Starnes (Mrs. James Dennis Smith), Martin Luther Starnes, John Issac Starnes, Andrew Jackson Starnes, Jesse Jess James Starnes.

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From the North Carolina Troops Books Volume 1,

Co. C, 10th Battalion N.C. Heavy Artillery p. 540

Starnes, Ellison, Private
Born in Union County where he resided as a farmer and enlisted at age 26, March 8, 1862 for the war. Present or accounted for through October 1864. Captured near Savannah, Ga., December 21, 1864 and confined at Fort Delaware, Del., where he died March 24, 1865 of chronic diarrhea and was buried in National Cemetery, Finn's Point (Salem), N.J.

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The book Images of America: Fort Delaware by Laura M. Lee and Brendan Mackie is dedicated in honor to him and the over 2,650 people who died at Pea Patch Island.

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*** Many thanks to Dave Bennett (#48519213) who writes:

I believe that Ellison Starnes changed his name and was originally known as Ellison Cagle. In the 1850 census in Union Co., NC, 15 year old Ellison L. Cagle is living in the household Esther Starnes. A marriage record in Union Co., NC shows that E.L. Cagle married Sarah Ann Keziah in 1857. He is listed in the 1860 census in Union Co. as Ellison Starnes. They have 4 children: Margaret J. (4), Rachel C. (1) and twin daughters Roxanna E. (1m) and Esther A (1m). Ellison Starnes enlisted in the Confederate Army on 26 March 1862. He was present or accounted for through October 1864. He was captured near Savannah, Ga., December 21, 1864 and confined at Fort Delaware, Del., where he died March 24, 1865 of chronic diarrhea. His son Elias Leander Starnes was born 16 June 1863; 15 months after Ellison enlisted.

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Another member of his company, Pvt James M. Tarleton was in his company and captured at the same time, James died shortly after Ellison of disease.

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