Constantine Rea
Editor-Lawyer-Politician-Soldier
Although born in Tennessee in 1825, Constantine Rea lived most of his adult life in Washington County, Alabama and Lauderdale County, Mississippi. On August 13, 1823, his parents, Nathan Rea and Frances Moody were married in Maury County Tennessee. Twenty years later in Washington County, Alabama, Constantine Rea and Margaret Bragg, his first cousin, were married on January 11, 1843 Sometimes between 1846 and 1848, the Constantine Rea family moved to Lauderdale Co., Mississippi, and settled around Marion. Their first son, Richard Nathan Rea, was born in Alabama on November 19, 1845. Their next child William T. Rea was born in Mississippi around 1847. Two daughters were also born in Mississippi. They appeared on the 1860 Lauderdale County census. They were Elizabeth Rea, born in 1851 and Elmira Rea, who was born in 1858
Constantine Rea was a very talented individual and made a reputation for himself in Lauderdale County. Before the War, Rea was the editor and publisher of the Lauderdale Republican. This was an excellent weekly, serving a growing population in east Mississippi. Publisher Rea was a civic minded editor, promoting the good attributes of his community at every opportunity. In 1855 Lauderdale County elected him to the legislature and in 1856 they sent him to Jackson to the State Democratic Convention
Rea entered the Confederacy on May 20, 1861. He received an appointment in the infantry as of May, 1861, signed by Leroy P. Walker, Confederate Secretary of War. Rea's appointment was from Mississippi and confirmed on December 24, 1861. On may 31st 1862 Company F, under the command of Captain Constantine Rea, arrived in the vicinity of the 6th Battalion camp at Vicksburg. After seeing much action in all aspects of the war on July 9, 1864 while directing his sharpshooter battalion near the Chattahoochee River, Major Rea was severely wounded, resulting in the amputation of his right leg He only lived two months until his death In September 14, 1864. One of his peers wrote that he was a brave and gallant officer, a warm and generous hearted man: one who was faithful in the execution of his duty and always sought the post of danger.
The W D Cameron Camp 1221, SCV formed a color guard to represent Company F in ceremonies and other events that promote the honor and bravery of the Confederate Soldier. The unit bears the name of Company F, 46th Mississippi Volunteer Regiment, the Lauderdale Rifles. This was done to continue the memory of Major Constantine Rea and the gallant men of the 46th Mississippi.
(Please note that the information on Constantine Rea was taken from Constantine Rea and the 46th Regiment, Mississippi Volunteers in The War for Southern Independence by S. W. Calhoun, Jr. This book is available at the Lauderdale County Department of Archives and History, Inc. Court House Annex Building, P. O. Box 5511, Meridian, Ms. 39302. The cost is $15.00 plus tax and shipping and handling.)