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.