Civil War soldier / Maine - Iowa
The 14th Iowa Infantry, Company G, lists this man in their roster:
Fox, James. Age 17. Residence Toledo, (Tama County, Iowa) nativity Maine. Enlisted October 9, 1861, as Drummer. Mustered November 2, 1861. Missing in action April 6, 1862, Shiloh Tennessee. Mustered out November 16, 1864, Davenport, Iowa.
James Fox was 5 foot 2 with dark hair, eyes and complexion. He may have been younger than 17 when he enlisted as one of his companions described him as hardly bigger than the average 12 year old boy.
James Fox fought at the siege of Fort Donelson and later was one of the brave defenders of the Hornets' Nest of Shiloh, where he was taken prisoner with his regiment after holding the rebel offensive off for several hours. They were finally surrounded and forced to surrender when their ammunition had all but run out, but the delay bought general grant the time needed to reinforce and reorganize his army and win the following day. Fox was taken to a POW camp in Georgia. Despite his small stature he survived both battles and the prison camp.
After he was exchanged he worked as a harness maker and saddler at the post quartmaster's department. He remained with the regiment until mustered out in November 1864.
No records of this soldier have been found before or after the War. His roster record says he was born in Maine. One of his companions kept a diary that mentions him a few times, giving interesting details of his service and his time as a POW. The diary has been reprinted this past month by the Traer, Iowa museum (www.traermuseum.com).
Does anyone recognize this soldier? If so, please contact cwtraer at hotmail.com
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Re: Civil War soldier / Maine - Iowa
Patricia Wood 1/16/09