Rubuta ci gaba don wannan sakin layi - Tare da ɗan ƙaramin ɗan'uwansa David, James ya shiga Sojojin Amurka a 1861, ya shiga Kamfanin F na 16th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment, bayan barkewar Yaƙin Basasa na Amurka. Ya shiga cikin yakin Pittsburg Landing
, kuma an sallame shi a 1862.