CPT Lycurgus Grills was born in 1839 in Augusta County, Virginia. He was the 3rd of the 5 children of Charles F. and Isabella (Abney) Grills. His mother died age 36 in 1845 and his father died at about age 45 just 5-years later. In 1850 Lycurgus and his siblings were living with their grandmother, Elizabeth Parks (McClanahan) Abney on her farm near Mint Springs, Virginia. Valued at $1800, Lycurgus' oldest brother John farmed it for the family. The younger children undoubtedly helped with the farm work. Another brother, Byrd, moved with some Abney cousins to Morgan County, Missouri and had built up an estate of $3912 by 1860 but he died in 1861. Lycurgus went to Charlottesville, Virginia and enrolled at the University of Virginia attending 1859-1861.
Lycurgus enlisted on 30 Aug 1861 at Centerville, Virginia serving as a PVT in E Company 5th Virginia Infantry with younger brother Charles. Commissioned as a 2LT in that same company where his younger brother ranked him. He was present at the 2nd Battle of Manassas when his brother was wounded and was also wounded there. Nevertheless he was promoted to Captain on 30 Aug 1862 and now commanded the company although he didn't return until 2 Oct 1862. CPT Grills became so ill on 20 Jul 1863 that he was sent to a hospital in Culpeper, Virginia. He was then sent nearer to home to a hospital in Staunton, Virginia. He died there on 15 Nov 1863.
CPT Grills was buried in the Abney Family Cemetery in Mint Springs, Virginia.
Lycurgus brother Charles Washington Grills served as a 1LT in E Company 5th Virginia Infantry until he was wounded and later died of his wound.
