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From the book entitled: Confederate veteran, Volume 24
Authors: Confederated Southern Memorial Association (U.S.), Sons of Confederate Veterans (Organization), United Confederate Veterans, United Daughters of the Confederacy
Publisher: S.A. Cunningham, 1916

Robert J. Rhodes, one of the most prominent men of Whiteville, Tenn., and an honored Confederate veteran, passed into eternal rest February 29, 1916.
Mr. Rhodes was born in Fayette County August 15, 1844, and was married to Miss Martha Neville April 15, 1865. He leaves this loyal, noble wife, a devoted daughter, Mrs. Roberts, of Hot Springs, Ark., and a faithful son, Festers Rhodes, cashier of the People's Bank, Whiteville, Tenn. At the age of seventeen Robert Rhodes enlisted with Capt. C. S. Schuyler, Company E, Forrest's old regiment, at New Castle, March 12, 1862. Soon after he was sworn into service at Somerville and fought faithfully and bravely throughout the war. A faithful Confederate to the end, he missed but one reunion in his life. He loved the gray and treasured the small bronze cross. He was ever thoughtful of the old veterans and in many ways added to their happiness. At any public meeting it was his great pleasure to have his old comrades share the very best. He loved to entertain them. He was a patriot; he loved his country; he loved his State; he loved his kind. Clad in his gray uniform and resting in a casket of gray, the "clay tenement" of the grand old Christian soldier was lowered by loving hands into the bosom of mother earth, there to await the glorious dawn of the resurrection morn.