James R. Tice, farm worker and Confederate soldier during the American Civil War, was born in Floyd County, Virginia, the son of Laban and Frances Webb Tice. Although census records indicate that Tice was born around 1842, family members provide March 24, 1847 as his date of birth. He was the son of Laban and Frances Webb Tice. In 1860, Tice was living in Copper Hill (Floyd County), Virginia and working as a field hand. He enlisted in Company B of the 42nd Virginia Infantry at Jacksonville (now Floyd), Virginia on May 25, 1861, with the initial rank of first corporal. Through successive promotions, he eventually attained the rank of third sergeant and was present with the company until December 1862, when he was briefly detailed to Floyd County to find absentee soldiers. Tice was wounded in the back and captured at the battle of Gettysburg. He died there from his wounds on July 6, 1863.

Company B of the 42nd Virginia Infantry was mustered into Confederate service at Lynchburg on June 11, 1861. The regiment had been recruited from counties in south central Virginia and would participate in Jackson's Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1862. The regiment later fought at Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania and in Early's Valley Campaign of 1864, before being assigned duty in the defense of Petersburg. The regiment was present at the surrender to Union forces in Appomattox.

Source: Chapla, John D. 42nd Virginia Infantry. Lynchburg, Va.: H. E. Howard, 1983.