James A. Outland, Sergeant, Co. A 79th Illinois Infantry, US
1846
February 25: James A. Outland is born in North Carolina to Quakers, Thomas and Asenith Outland. ***Exact date from Quaker meeting notes.***
1850
August 17: The United States Federal Census taken in Northhampton County, North Carolina shows 4 year old James living with his parents and siblings.
1850-1855
The Outland family moves from North Carolina to Illinois.
1860
September 5: The United States Federal Census taken in Prairie Township, Edgar County, Illinois shows 14 year old James living with his parents and siblings. His father is a farmer.
1862
July 29: James enlisted in the US Army. Information on enlistment papers. Height: 5’ 5, Hair: Light, Eyes: Blue, Complexion: Fair, Marital Status: Single, Occupation: Farmer, Birth Place: Norhthampton Co, NC, Age: 18 (incorrect.)
August 28: James mustered into Company A, 79th Illinois Infantry at Camp Anna, Illinois.
1863
September 19: James is promoted to Corporal.
1864
August 10: James is promoted to Sergeant.
November 30: James fought in the Battle of Franklin. He was in Conrad’s forward line to the East of the Columbia Pike. James was injured several times in the fierce fighting.
1865
June 12: James is mustered out of the US Army at Nashville, Tennessee.
September 11: James applies for an Invalid’s pension from the US Military.
1870
May 24: James is admitted to the North-Western Branch National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. He is listed as receiving a $15.00 pension from the military because of a gun shot wound to the left thigh. He is listed as 23 years old.
July 22: The United States Federal Census taken in Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin shows James as a “disabled soldier in USM Asylum.”
1871
November 22: Discharged from the National Home by request.
James is listed as a second year student at the Illinois Soldiers College. ***Opened September 15, 1866 as a home and school for soldiers with free board and tuition.***
1874
November: The Palladium pamphlet published by the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan for school year 1874-1875 lists James Outland as a law student.
1876
May 31: The Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois.
James gives a speech on Decoration Day at the cemetery he himself would be buried at in less than 5 years.
1879
May 15: James marries Mary S. Peters in Vermilion County, Illinois.
1880
May 7: The Inter Ocean, Chicago Illinois
June 3: The United States Federal Census taken in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois shows James, a lawyer, living with his wife Mary.
1881
March 5: James Albert Outland dies in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. He is buried at Spring Hill Cemetery and Mausoleum.
March 8: Decatur Daily Republican
April 25: James’ wife Mary applies for a widow’s pension from the US military.