The oldest son of Oney Cypress Randal and Susanna(h) (her full name may be “Susannah W. Wilkins”), James Ronald Randal was born August 12, 1819 in Franklin Co., GA.¹⁾

On May 13, 1848, James Ronald Randal (age 29) married Frances McCall (1827-?) in Franklin, County, GA.²⁾³⁾ They had two known children:

1. John F. Randal (b. about 1848/1849 - ) He married P. F. Fanny Pulliam Hardy (1855 - ) during 1874.⁴⁾
2. William O. Randal (b. about 1854 - ) He married Emma S. Hardy (1856 - ) during 1881 in Franklin County, GA. ⁵⁾

After Frances died, James Randal (at age 39) then married Mary McFarland on Sept. 23, 1858, in Franklin, County, GA.⁶⁾⁷⁾

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James Ronald Randal and Mary McFarland-Randall had three known children:

1. Theodocia A. Randal-Vaughn (Feb. 11, 1861 - Sept. 5, 1940). She married John Franklin Vaughn.
2. Sarah R. Randall (1863 - )
3. James J. Randall (1867 - )

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The term “War of Northern Aggression” is used here because that is likely what the war was called by our Southern ancestors (or “War for Southern Independence”). While the term “Civil War” was used by Abraham Lincoln during multiple occasions – and the U.S. Supreme Court (The Brig Amy Warwick, et al., 67 U.S. 635, 636, 673 (1862)) during the war, it is entirely incorrect.

Officially, the U.S. Congress used the term “The War between the States” in a report to the Senate on joint resolution No. 41, printed in the Congressional Record of March 2, 1928, on page 4061. However, the National Park Service, the government organization entrusted by the United States Congress to preserve the battlefields of the war, uses the term “Civil War”.

During the “War of Northern Aggression”, James (at age 44) served as a Private in Company D, 11th GA Calvary,⁸⁾ of the 30th Battalion, Georgia Cavalry (some records from that period reflect his name as “James Randle”).⁹⁾ The GA 30th Cavalry Battalion was organized in May 1864. This battalion, together with four companies raised under authority of the War Department from areas where the conscription act could not be enforced, became the 11th Regiment Georgia Volunteer Cavalry by S.O. #271 A&IGO (14 November 1864). Co. D was dubbed the “Tugalo Rangers” - White County - under command of Capts. John M. Crawford & William H. Griggs¹⁰⁾

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Following the strategic defeat the Army of Tennessee had suffered at Bentonville, North Carolina, 21 March, 1865 the army retired before Major General William T. Sherman's forces, about twice their numbers. At Goldsborough on 24 March 1865 the Federal army swelled to 80,000 men when Major General John M. Schofield's force joined with that of Sherman. When Sherman resumed his march northwards on 10 April 1865 Johnston followed him having no illusions about being able to stop him on his march through North Carolina. While en route Johnston learned of the evacuation of Petersburg and Richmond, Virginia, and of the Army of Northern Virginia's surrender at Appomattox, Virginia. This brought to an end the hope of joining the two Confederate armies together to defeat first one then the other of their opponents.

Upon arriving near Raleigh, North Carolina, Johnston first attempted to have North Carolina Governor Zebulon Baird Vance broach surrender terms to Sherman. A task that he refused. On 12 April, 1865 he went to Greensborough to meet with Confederate States President Jefferson Finis Davis from whom he obtained permission to open a peace initiative. Sherman was immediately receptive to peace negotiations and so on 17 April 1865 he met with Johnston near Durham Station, North Carolina. During the two day conference, at the home of James Bennett, terms were agreed that were acceptable to both Generals. But after submitting them to Washington for approval they were quickly rejected.

Johnston was informed that unless more widely acceptable terms were reached a four day Armistice would end on 26 April 1865. So once again the two army Commanders met at the James Bennett home and thrashed out an agreement that gave the same terms that the Army of Northern Virginia had accepted. This was acceptable to the Washington government and on 3 May, 1865 the Army of Tennessee, with 29,924 troops, laid down its arms.

This included the 11th GA Calvary, of which James Ronald Randal was attached, AND the GA 34th Infantry Regiment, Co. G. to which his brother Anderson S. Randal was attached. Both of whom were in Anderson, S.C. when the Army of Tennessee surrendered.

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James Ronald Randall died on May 27, 1887 (at age 67) in Franklin County, Georgia.¹¹⁾

After James died, his wife, Mary Randall, filed for pension in Jackson County, Georgia.¹²⁾

She may be buried in Jackson County, Georgia.

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