Prior to his enlistment in the Civil War with Co A 7th KY Cav, he wast he main support for his parents. His last letter home included $70of h is pay. In a pension application for his mother, a neighbordescrived J ames a a "Sivel and endustrious boy and was very muchattached to his P arents."
He became ill while serving with his unit near Nashville and wastransf erred to the military hospital at Louisville where he died.
