DOB:  December 24, 1843 DOD:  May 17, 1902 Age at Enlistment: 18 Date of Enlistment:  July 26, 1862 Place of Enlistment:  Jackson, MS Rank at Enlistment:  Private Rank at Discharge:  Private Casualty:  None Comments:  James was born in Williamson County and spent most of his childhood there.  By 1860 his family had moved to Memphis, TN and he is working as clerk in his father’s store.  James enlisted in Company G of the 154th Tennessee Infantry in July of 1861.  The 154th moved to New Madrid, MO for defense of the Mississippi River.  In October 1861, James’ father, Joseph, wrote a letter stating that he would like to have his son discharged so that he could continue his education.  There is no response to the letter but there is a roster that states James was transferred to the 1st Tennessee so it is assumed his father’s wishes were ignored.  The 154th fought at the battles of Belmont, MO and Shiloh, TN.  James transferred to the 1st Tennessee in July of 1862.  He most likely joined the Williamson Grays because he had some connection to it through growing up in Williamson County.  Immediately after he transferred he became sick and was sent to a hospital in Chattanooga in August 1862.  James is listed as being sick again in January and February 1863 and being treated in Rome, GA.  Starting in March of 1863 he is reported as being detached as a nurse in Atlanta for all other rosters.  There is no record of his surrender and his service record ends in February 1864.  James only spent a few months actually serving in the company.  In most post war rosters his name is either left off or his whereabouts are unknown.  One of George Nichols’ rosters only states he died in Georgia in 1902.  James married Mary Murphy in Georgia on January 13, 1864 while he was still in the service.  The couple had five children.  Mary died in 1883 and James remarried to Margaret McMillian in 1888.  The 1870 census shows him living in Memphis but the 1880 Census shows him living in Atlanta working as a Train H.R.R.  The 1900 Census shows him still living in Atlanta working as a Warden.  He died in 1902 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta. 

Post war photo of James K. Hunter from ancestry.com