John Burruss Sale was born on June 7, 1818, in Amherst County, Virginia, to Alexander and Sarah Sale. The family moved to Lawrence County, Alabama, and he grew up and attended school there before enrolling at LaGrange College. He was admitted to the bar in 1837, and he became a probate court judge two years later. He moved to Aberdeen, Mississippi, around 1847, and he earned a living as a lawyer. An early biographer praised his “deep and thorough” knowledge of the law and his “integrity and stern devotion to principle.” By 1860, he owned $11,000 of real estate and $15,700 of personal property. He married Lou Leigh around 1860, and she died around 1863.

 

In 1861, he received a commission as captain of Company K of the 27^th Mississippi Infantry. He later earned a promotion to colonel, and he served as military secretary for General Braxton Bragg.

 

He swore an oath of allegiance after the war, and President Andrew Johnson pardoned him in August 1866. He returned to Mississippi after the war, and he married Annie Cornelius around 1866. He died in Aberdeen on January 23, 1876.

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