Confederate States of America Lieutenant Colonel James Samuel Kerr McCutchan. He was born June 6, 1830, in Virginia, and passed away September 27, 1915, in Exeter. He was 85 years old when he died.
On December 20, 1862, he was commissioned Major of the 31st Virginia Regiment and commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of that same regiment on August 1, 1863. Many of the members of the 31st were from Marion, Pendleton, and Gilmer Counties in Virginia. The men were active in the Cheat Mountain Campaign and Seven Days' Battles. They also participated at the Second Manassas. One month prior to receiving his commission as Lt. Col, he led his regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg. There were 267 of the 31st in action at Gettysburg. On April 9, 1985, it surrendered with 7 officers, one of whom was McCutchan. His regiment saw continual service during the entire war. It is believed that if the South had prevailed in the war, Col. McCutchan would have been one of the leaders of the CSA. He also served in the Virginia House of Burgesses.
In 1867, he came to Placerville to live with family; later settling in Exeter for 30 years. In 1914, he was stricken with paralysis in one side of his body and was confined to his bed. His funeral was at the home of his cousin and was attended by people from all over the country.