James M Hamilton Civil War Service Record

Glen · September 3, 2006

James M Hamilton was the twin brother of William McCord Hamilton.  Both were sons of John and Altha (Judd) Hamilton.  The twins were born in Morgan County, Il in 1834.  This PDF document contains pages from the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:State w:st="on">Illinois</st1:State>' Historical Records site, Cyberdrive <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Illinois</st1:place></st1:State>, regarding James' service.  We learn that James initially served as a Private in Company K of the 17th Illinois US Infantry from May 25th, 1861 to May 31st, 1862.  James then reenlisted with Company C, 85th Illinois Infantry on July 23, 1862.  He enlisted as a Sergeant along with his brother William McCord Hamilton.  It appears he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on March 17th or 30th or 1863 in <st1:City w:st="on">Nashville</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">TN</st1:State> and then promoted to 1st Lieutenant on January 1, 1864 at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">McAfee Church</st1:City>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Georgia</st1:country-region></st1:place>.  James was captured by the Confederates during the battle of <st1:City w:st="on">Peach Tree Creek</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">GA</st1:State>, near <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Atlanta</st1:place></st1:City>.  He was later released in a prisoner exchange and mustered out of the army from <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Washington</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">DC</st1:State></st1:place> on June 5, 1865.

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