Sergeant James A. Outland, Co. A, 79th Illinois Infantry, USA
1846
- February 25: James A. Outland was born in North Carolina to Quakers, Thomas and Asenith Outland. ***Exact date from Quaker meeting notes.***
1850
- August 17: The U.S. Federal Census enumerated Northhampton County, NC showed 4-year-old James living with his parents and siblings.
1850-1855
- The Outland family moved from North Carolina to Illinois.
1860
- September 5: The U.S. Federal Census enumerated in Prairie Township, Edgar County, IL showed 14-year-old James living with his parents and siblings. His father was a farmer.
1862
- July 29: James enlisted in the U.S. 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 IL Infantry at Camp Anna, IL.
1863
- September 19: James was promoted to Corporal.
1864
- August 10: James was 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 mustered out of the U.S. Army at Nashville, TN.
- September 11: James applied for an Invalid’s pension from the U.S. Military.
1870
- May 24: James was admitted to the North-Western Branch National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Milwaukee County, WI. He was listed as receiving a $15.00 pension from the military because of a gunshot wound to the left thigh. He is listed as 23 years old.
- July 22: The U.S. Federal Census enumerated in Wauwatosa, Milwaukee County, WI showed James as a “disabled soldier in USM Asylum.”
1871
- November 22: Discharged from the National Home by request.
- James was 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 listed James Outland as a law student.
1876
- May 31: The Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois.
James gave a speech on Decoration Day at the cemetery he himself would be buried at in less than 5 years.
1879
- May 15: James married Mary S. Peters in Vermilion County, IL.
1880
- May 7: The Inter Ocean, Chicago Illinois
- June 3: The U.S. Federal Census enumerated in Danville, Vermilion County, IL showed James, a lawyer, living with his wife Mary.
1881
- March 5: James Albert Outland died in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. He was buried at Spring Hill Cemetery and Mausoleum.
- March 8: Decatur Daily Republican
- April 25: James’ wife Mary applied for a widow’s pension from the U.S. military.