Historical Rosters Database

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John Thomas James

Roster ID 1313
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:John
Middle Name:Thomas
Last Name:James
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1863
Biography & Genealogy:James John Thomas, Class of 1863: Born- November 25, 1841. Matriculated from Fincastle, Va. At VMI 2 years. Military Record: Drill master, Richmond spring-summer 1861. Unofficial source says drill master with a Tx regiment in which he was elected 1st Lt but declined the post believing that all cadets would bbe appointed 1st Lts in Va regiments. Enlisted at uknown date in Company D, 11th Va. Elected 1st Lt July 22, 1861. Absent sick October 1861. Wounded in action May 5, 1862 and captured May 6 at Williamsburg. In US hospital, Washington, DC May 16-July 21, 1862. To Old Capitol Prison. Exchanged August 1862. Absent sick until rejoined company fall 1862. Elected Captain (date of rank July 3, 1863). Captured April 1, 1865 at Dinwiddie Court House. Held at Johnson's Island, Oh. Released on oath June 18, 1865. Post War Career: Editor. Established and edited Fincastle "Herald". Died- April 27, 1873 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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