Historical Rosters Database

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James Bruce Chastain

Roster ID 2675
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:James
Middle Name:Bruce
Last Name:Chastain
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1866
Biography & Genealogy:James Bruce Chastain, Class of 1866: Born- March 24, 1845. Matriculated from- Wolf Trap, Va. At VMI 2 years. Military Record: Enlisted April 24, 1861, as Private, Co. A, Maj. E. B. Montague's '55 Va. Battalion which became Co. A, 53rd Va. Discharged Dec. 27, 1861, to attend VMI. Left VMI Summer of 1863 for academic deficiencies. Enlisted April 1, 1864, at Frederickshall, Va., for war as Private, Capt. B. H. Smith's Co., Va. Artillery (3rd Richmond Howitzers). Present for duty on all extant rolls. Unofficial source says he was wounded in action (legs) in Spotsylvania Ct. House, Va. Paroled at Appomattox. Post War Career: Dry goods business; real estate; capitalist. Lived in Baltimore, Md.; New York, NY, and Houston, Tx. Episcopal. Died- March 23, 1917, in New York.

About the Database

The database currently includes the names of all enrolled students (both graduates and non-graduates) from VMI's opening in 1839 through the World War II era. In addition, you will find biographical and genealogical information, including a summary of military service during the Civil War, for many individuals who attended in the 19th century. The database also includes some historical Faculty and Board of Visitors members, as well as U. S. Army students sent to VMI for training during World Wars I and II. The latter groups were not VMI cadets. For further information about an ancestor listed in the database, please contact the VMI Archives. We can check the complete record, let you know if other information available, and provide copies of original documents. This database is for historical research. We do not release information about living individuals.

VMI Archives
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
archives@vmi.edu
540-464-7516