Confederatevets.com

After an illness of several months, Capt. Steven E. Rice died at his home, in Apalachicola, Fla., on the night of December 26, 1919, and was laid to rest in Magnolia Cemetery, the members of Camp Tom Moore, U. C. V., acting as the escort of honor.

Captain Rice was born at Huntsville, Ala., July 13, 1838. He moved to Texas when a boy, spending his early days in that State. In 1857 he entered Bethany College, in Virginia, graduating with honors in 1861. After his graduation he returned to Texas, and when the State seceded he raised a company of soldiers and enlisted in the cause of the Confederacy. The company was known as Company H, 6th Texas Regiment. He entered the army as a lieutenant and soon rose to the rank of captain, in which capacity he served throughout the war. He was wounded in the battle of Franklin while leading a charge on the enemy's trenches. He was made a prisoner five times during the war and as often managed to escape and return to his command. The sixth time he was exchanged. He participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Franklin, Shiloh, Atlanta, and many smaller engagements.

At the conclusion of the war Captain Rice returned to Florence, Ala., and married Miss Emily S. Pickett, daughter of Col. R. O. Pickett, and she survives him, with two sons and a daughter.

Captain Rice moved to Florida in 1877 and had lived in Apalachicola since 1882. He served one term as a member of the Florida Legislature. He was a man of keen intellect, well balanced mentally and physically, and his opinions were largely sought, while his genial personality made him a great favorite with all who knew him.

In its memorial resolutions Camp Tom Moore "laments the passing of our dearly beloved comrade who during the War between the States represented the highest type of the citizen-soldier, and a man who in his daily conduct after the great struggle represented the very best type of American citizenship."