Brothers at the Front: American Civil War Letters & Documents of James D. Wade and William H. Wade, 1862–1864

Letter by letter

The collection holds 33 items: the letters James D. Wade and his brother William H. ("Willie") Wade wrote home from the war, a letter from their father and a note from their mother, and the orders, application, letters and receipt James kept as an officer. Each was read from the scans of the originals on 9 November 2026. Quotations are in the writer's own spelling and punctuation, with [?] after an uncertain word, and the page given is the image's number on the site. Each heading links to the letter and its images on brothersatthefront.com.

27 July 1862 · Willie to his parents

Fort McHenry, Baltimore. Willie wrote on a Sunday morning, before going into Baltimore on a pass and then to church. He was working among the sick and wounded soldiers who crowded the fort, flooring their tents, and he described General Wool scolding General Morris over their care, a soldier's funeral, and a baseball match between his company and Company H that ended 30 to 30.

• Letters had come from his mother and from his brothers John and Durlyn; times were hard at home, and in Baltimore small change was scarce.
• Four or five of the sick men had died within two weeks; Company C fired three volleys over a grave.
• Willie played second base and his brother James right field.
• A Dr Porter had visited the regiment, and Willie expected his parents had read Porter's letter in the paper.

"one Night Gen Wool come in hear and gave Morris such a jawing I was about two yards off to [see?] the fun" (page 1)

"Durlyn is a Bully writer" (page 2)

8 August 1862 · James to his parents

Fort McHenry, Baltimore. The paymaster had come that morning, and James reported what each rank received for the month: $15.16 for a private and $19.80 for a sergeant, with two months more nearly due. The quartermaster had offered to send the soldiers' money home, so James enclosed $25 from himself and Willie, with an order for their parents to draw it at the Kings County Savings Bank.

• After paying the sutler, the camp storekeeper, for necessary articles, the brothers had about $2 left between them.
• Willie was still waiting for his extra pay.
• The letter is signed "Jas D Wade".

"The long expected but ever welcom Paymaster made his apperence this morning with his mony bags you may be sure that the boys when verry prompt in falling into line for pay" (page 1)

10 August 1862 · James to his parents

Fort McHenry, Baltimore. James told his parents how to collect the $25 sent home by Quartermaster Scholes, and what he and Willie expected to be paid when the regiment was mustered out, in about three weeks. He enclosed Willie's photograph, taken in Baltimore the day before in full uniform, and described acting as color sergeant at dress parade, when a whole company escorted the regiment's colors. General Wool was stopping vessels and trains, and the fort was crowded with prisoners under a double guard.

• The bank was at the corner of South 7th and 4th Streets.
• James expected about $40 at muster-out and Willie $30. The difference suggests that James was a sergeant and Willie a private.
• The family sent newspapers, and John's letters were "very interesting".

"it is only when the money is in your hand that you are sure of it" (page 2)

"they would be shure to be shot as we have a double Guard on and every one wide awake" (page 4)

26 October 1862 · Willie to his parents

No place given; the regiment's camp near Jamaica, Long Island. Willie wrote on a dismal Sunday when about a hundred of the men had gone to church in Jamaica. There was no Baptist church there, so most of them went to the Methodist church, where Willie sang in the choir. He reported that his company was nearly full though the regiment filled slowly, that most of its officers had little military experience, and he thanked his mother for a pie. The letter breaks off at the foot of page 2; the rest has not survived.

• The regiment is not named; it was probably the 176th New York Volunteers, then forming.
• Willie had been to a class meeting, and a prayer meeting was to be held in camp.
• The major talked of resigning.
• George Fanjoy, Willie's companion through 1863, appears here for the first time.

"we got pretty wet going to Church but I felt gay after having such a good sing" (page 1)

"that was a bully pie you sent up last Sunday We divided it around" (page 2)

4 March 1863 · Willie to his mother

Terrebonne, Louisiana. Willie described the regiment's first weeks in Louisiana. The men were issued rifles and forty rounds of cartridges, taken by boat to Algiers and sent by freight train to guard the railroad, Willie and George Fanjoy riding 25 miles on the roof. He wrote on picket duty, about a mile and a half from camp, and told his mother he had made out an allotment so that the family could draw ten dollars a month of his pay.

• The camp was on a plantation of 2,000 acres, from which most of the enslaved people had been sent off to Texas.
• In the Duryée Zouaves he had met "two or three Jamaca Boys".
• The place was about 56 miles from New Orleans; there were no Confederates within 25 miles except bushwhackers.

"Climbed down whent to sleep we made a first Rate bed lay their snug as a bug in a rug" (page 2)

"It would be little more Exciting if their was Rebles on our front" (page 3)

13 March 1863 · Willie to his mother

Terrebonne, Louisiana. Just off guard, Willie wrote about guarding the railroad station: mosquitoes, alligators and owls, sugar cane rotting in the fields, salt meat and beans, and pay still held up. The local people had taken the oath of allegiance but were Confederates at heart, and the men disliked guarding their property. He described people who had escaped from slavery working for the army, two or three of them in his own company, and another company sent to keep a plantation's enslaved workers at work and guard its sugar.

• He and James were sunburnt, with their hair cut short.
• No letter from home had reached them since they landed.
• Prayer meetings were held on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, and "it seem quite Natural".
• He enclosed a letter written a week before, probably the letter of 4 March.

"James and I are getting so Sunburnt that you would hardly know us" (page 3)

"you can hear the bellowing of the Alegators in the Night time. and the scritching of the Owls." (page 4)

4 June 1863 · Willie to his father, mother and brothers

Brashear City (now Morgan City), Louisiana. Willie told his family of the regiment's first action. The provost guard, James among them, crossed the bay under fire and helped hold an arsenal of 40,000 rounds, while Willie rode out as one of eight picked men to see whether the Confederates were coming up the Bayou Boeuf. The next day the regiment crossed, advanced through the woods to a sugar house, and held a barricade of wagons through the night; his company "was especialy complemented".

• A foraging party brought in chickens, ducks and sugar; Willie took a double-barrelled gun but left it behind.
• He had met Williamsburgh men: William Broadhurst, recovering from sickness, two men of the 47th, and "Mary Canard's Brother".

"every time we would fire we would hollow how do you like that they would say you cant make it to worm for us" (page 2)

"I wish they had some of them Copper-heads out hear who are crying for a disonable peace we will soon have a peace which shall be an honor two the nation" (page 3)

12 and 13 June 1863 · Willie to his mother

Brashear City, Louisiana. Willie described camp in the heat, from reveille at half past four to tattoo at nine, and nights spent sleeping on top of railroad cars in case of attack. He told how George Fanjoy's boat ran on a snag and sank, Fanjoy losing his shoes and gun but getting the captain's. Off guard on the Saturday night, lying on his rubber blanket, he pictured his family at home.

• In his picture of home his mother (the word is probably "Ma") was shopping in Grand Street, perhaps with his father; John was in his store, and Durlyn perhaps asleep.
• A letter had come from John, whose handwriting had "improved wonderfully".

"I expect you will find plenty of Mistakes as their is so much Excitement, I like it first rate the More Excitement the better." (page 2)

"I was looking up in the sky at the Stars and wondering what you was all doing at Home it was a beautiful Night their was a light breeze blowing off the bay" (page 3)

6 July 1863 · James to his parents

Belleville Iron Works, Algiers, opposite New Orleans. James reported the regiment's fight at La Fourche Crossing, which he had not seen, where Texans charged the entrenchments and were driven off with heavy loss. He then told of his own capture at Brashear City early on 23 June: the post, largely a camp of convalescents, was surprised, and all were prisoners within half an hour. Paroled, that is released on a promise not to fight until exchanged, he marched over 100 miles through the swamps to New Orleans.

• Harry Barton and Simmons were killed at the first fire; "Sergt Endus[?]" was shot three times but still living.
• Five of the twelve men of the provost guard were shot; James was not scratched.
• Willie, with the regiment near New Orleans, was "all right".

"I have so much to write about. I hardly know where to begin, so I will pitch right into the subject at once," (page 1)

"my health is first rate and they say Will is strong and robust" (page 4)

1 September 1863 · James to his mother

New Orleans. James wrote that he and Willie, enlisted for three years, would be kept when the nine-months men went home on 10 October, and that he expected a commission as captain or lieutenant in the 16th Corps d'Afrique, a regiment of Black soldiers. He had just been recruiting at Terrebonne Station, where he took a planter's horse and enlisted men from the plantation; the planter objected to losing men he had paid $700 to $1,000 each for, but James had his papers from the general.

• Letters were to go to "Lieut J D Wade" at 170 Carondelet Street, New Orleans.
• He asked for the balance of his bank account and $25; his pay as a private was $13 a month.
• A cousin, "Coz Louisa[?]", grieved for her brother, who died at Vicksburg on 4 July 1863, the day the city fell.

"It would have done you good to have seen me bully the Planters." (page 1)

"please have the Envelope directed in as neat a manner as possible as there is a great deal in outside show here" (pages 2–3)

4 September 1863 · Willie to his parents

Bonnet Carré, Louisiana. Willie wrote by candle on the night a letter from home reached him. Most of the letter concerns the regiment's quarrel over its term of service: Major Morgan and Mark Hoit, probably Mark Hoyt, a New York leather merchant who had been the regiment's first colonel, were trying to keep the men who had signed for three years, and the men had written to New York to lay their case before the Governor. Willie would stay only until the nine-months men went home.

• A party had left for New York to bring back drafted men; two were Williamsburgh men, "Fred Cuerner[?]" of Power Street and Frank Pitman of Washington Street and Flushing Avenue.
• Frank Pitman had been taken prisoner with James and gave out on the march to Algiers.
• Willie told his parents not to write again, "for we may be on our way".

"after reading it over two or three times I blowed out the light layed down on my bunk to dream of Home." (page 1)

"I would like to duck Major Morgan in a Molasses Barra[l?]" (page 4)

21 and 24 September 1863 · Willie to his mother

Bonnet Carré, Louisiana. While the regiment waited to learn whether it would go home, Willie captained one of two picked baseball nines and followed the war news. He broke off to get his dinner and finished three days later: General Banks, on Major Morgan's advice, would hold the three-years men, and their hope now lay in New York or Washington. If held, he stood a good chance of a position in the new regiment. He closed with a declaration of his faith.

• James, in New Orleans, was not yet mustered into his new company, and would go home if the regiment did.
• The cold evenings reminded the men of their camp at Jamaica.
• Willie saw in the papers the names of men he knew who had been drafted.
• The men were examining every boat on the river.

"But I must get my dinner. cant go back on my Rations" (page 2)

"Jesus has been My Friend ever since I left Home" (page 4)

3 October 1863 · James M. Wade to Willie

Williamsburgh. James M. Wade wrote to his son the day after Willie's letter brought the news that his hope of coming home had faded. He told what he had heard of Captain Howe and the men sent north for drafted men: held on an island in New York harbor, they were now ordered back to New Orleans with some 600 conscripts. He promised fresh efforts on Willie's behalf, and advised him, if he were kept, to take a commission in James's regiment.

• It was said that all who enlisted after 24 September would come home; he did not know the date of Willie's enlistment but would find it out.
• The letter is signed "J M Wade".

"the Capt obained a pass to come to the City they say for 10 hours but he did not go back" (page 1)

"it affords me comfort know that You put Your trust in God" (page 2)

15 October 1863 · James to his mother

New Orleans. James could not decide between going home with the 176th and accepting his commission in the 16th Corps d'Afrique; the regiment's papers had been lost at Brashear City, so there might be no record to hold the three-years men. He compared his own smooth face with Willie's new side whiskers, told of a soldier found dead in his tent after hearing the three-years men would be kept, and acknowledged $25 from his father. His new company was progressing rapidly in drill; he doubted their courage but praised their obedience.

• "I still belong to the 176 N Y V."; his father thought he had better accept the commission.
• A postscript asked his mother to tell a Mrs Vale (the reading is uncertain) of No. 10 South 6th Street that her son was healthy.

"I lay in my bunk at night and think of home I picture to myself the different members of the family, how they look. and what they are doing," (pages 1–2)

"Will is a patient as a beaver he 'bides his time'" (page 2)

19 October 1863 · James to his mother

New Orleans. James had made up his mind to stay. He described a three-hour examination for his commission, in drill, guard and picket duty, arithmetic and the writing of an application, which he passed with praise, and said the commission had gone to General N. P. Banks for approval. He wrote warmly of each member of the family, saying his father should have been a brigadier general, for he wrote like a soldier with no surplus words, and sent home his Brashear City parole as a curiosity.

• Willie, he wrote, laughed at the idea of staying.
• Letters were to go to "Lieut J D W[ade] 16 Regt Corps D'Afrique".
• He taught in the Sunday school of the "Collisium Baptist Church", probably the Coliseum Place Baptist Church in New Orleans.

"I was thankfull that I had a good education It was a great help to me, I was cool and composed all through while some of the candidates where quite excited" (page 2)

"I am a teacher in the Baptist Sunday School I am a big Gun" (page 4)

22 and 25 October 1863 · Willie to his parents

Bonnet Carré, Louisiana. Back from three days on picket, Willie answered letters telling of his mother's visit to Rikers Island, where she had talked with Captain Howe. Major Morgan had received a letter from Mark Hoit asking for the discharges of James and Willie, but said the power was not his; he offered Willie a commission instead, which Willie took "very Indiferently". On 25 October the conscripts arrived with handkerchiefs from home, and James came to see him, having passed his examination.

• The major told Willie he had always done his duty "as a Soldier and a Gentleman".
• If he had to stay, Willie would accept the commission and try for a furlough home in the winter.

"I expect those woman that was with you must have gave him a good talking too" (page 1)

"now what do you think of that jumping all the Corporals and sergents to a commission offercer where I stand a good chance of leaving the service at any time. buly for me." (page 2)

13 November 1863 · Special Orders No. 273

Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, Brownsville, Texas. A one-page extract of the order, issued by command of Major General Banks, that honorably discharged James as a private of Company B, 176th New York Volunteers, from 24 October 1863, so that he could accept promotion. It was sent to him through the commanding officer of the 16th Infantry, Corps d'Afrique, and a paymaster's note in the margin records his final pay as a private.

• The order is signed by Augustus W. Sexton Jr., lieutenant and acting assistant adjutant general.
• The paymaster signed as Jenney, Paymaster U.S.A.; his initials are not clear.

"Paid this private in full to Discharge" (page 1)

20 and 26 November 1863 · James to his parents

Point Isabel, Texas. James wrote from near the mouth of the Rio Grande, where four companies under Major Tobey had been sent from Brazos Santiago Island. He commanded Company F alone, with no captain or second lieutenant and a sergeant who could not read or write, in a sandy, salt place where water was hauled fifteen miles from the river. He described the Mexican teamsters with their ox and mule teams, and sent a letter for a Mr Coombs at home.

• He signed as first lieutenant commanding Company F, 16th Regiment Corps d'Afrique.
• No letters had yet come from home or from Willie, and he was anxious to know whether Willie had a commission.
• Not knowing Mr Coombs's initials or address, he sent the letter open for his parents to deliver.

"instead of finding a pleasant place with plenty of Beef and Chickens and water we found nothing but sandy steril soil" (pages 1–2)

"my hair being quite long I look rather wild and a little bit seedy and my face is bronzed" (page 4)

27 December 1863 · Eliza Ann Wade to James

Headed "Sunday Night"; sent with Willie's letter of the same day. Eliza Ann Wade told James how Willie had come home. Sergeant Enders had got Willie's and George Fanjoy's names onto the nine-months men's papers; at the river the three-years men were marched into the battery while the rest went aboard, and Willie's name was called three times without an answer. She passed on the regiment's news and told James how eagerly the Sunday-school teachers asked after him.

• Mr Coombs had read James's letter to the school.
• Enders had called on the family and had written to James.
• They heard that Major Morgan had lost his position and that Captain Barber was to be colonel.
• She signed "E A Wade".

"I tell you they were to us like water to a thirsty Man." (page 1)

"O what a rush the Teachers made Sunday after school to enquire after you," (page 1)

27 December 1863 · Willie to James

Williamsburgh. Home again, Willie told James how he got there. When the three-years men's arms were taken and given to the conscripts, he suspected a trick, smuggled himself aboard the steamer and hid for seven hours, while George Fanjoy walked aboard past Major Morgan in James's straw hat, carrying a cane like a countryman. The ship called at New Orleans, Ship Island and the Dry Tortugas, and reached New York in eleven days.

• He got his discharge and pay, keeping out of sight until he had them; James's name was on the muster roll as promoted to captain.
• He brought home James's straw hat, his shells and his big tin cup.
• At the Methodist church, James's "stout Alto singer" waited to ask after him.
• At Christmas he went to Barnum's in New York with John, and earned 12 shillings helping Uncle Joe in his store.

"then to the surprise of every one Wade stept forth." (page 2)

"Dont get discourage live easy take things loose and careless." (page 3)

15 January 1864 · James to the Adams Express agent, New Orleans

Point Isabel, Texas. James asked the express company's New Orleans office, for the second time, to send on a box waiting there for him, by the purser of one of the steamers running to Point Isabel. On 2 February the agents wrote their answer at the foot of his own letter and sent it back: they would not release the box without his receipt.

• He signed as lieutenant commanding Company F, 16th Regiment Corps d'Afrique.
• He named the steamers "Cresant" and "Clinton".
• The box probably came from home: three days later he wrote that it was still at New Orleans.

"Your Box is still in our office. We can not delivered without your receipt for it." (page 1)

17 January 1864 · James to his mother

Point Isabel, Texas. A short note written in haste. The paymaster had come, and James enclosed a ten-dollar bill and sent $190 more by an express agent, $200 in all. From 1 January 1864 his mother was to keep five dollars a week for her own use.

• Two letters from home had arrived two days before.
• He had excellent health, and saw no sign of the enemy.
• The sheet is folded as its own cover, addressed to J. M. Wade, 183 South 6th Street near 7th Street, Williamsburgh.

"An Agent of Adams Express is here and will leave in an hour I will send $190,00 by him making $200, which Pa will put in the Bank to my account," (page 1)

18 January 1864 · James to his parents

Point Isabel, Texas. Newly paid, James set out how a first lieutenant commanding a company earned $120 a month, what he had spent, and what was to be done with his money at home: $20 a month for the family, investment if his father needed it, and savings toward two complete courses of medical lectures. He pictured Willie at home by the fire telling stories of their service in Louisiana, and described the Christian Commission's books from which his men were learning to read, and his failed moustache.

• Willie and John were living at home and paying board.
• If his father needed the money in business, or thought it wise to buy 5-20 government bonds, he should use it.

"I find soldiering quite endurable in fact quite pleasant when I think every time I go to bed I have earned four dollars" (page 1)

"I have been trying ever since I left home to raise Moustache, but have signally failed, so in disgust at my inability to raise hair on my face I have shaved clean, cut my hair short and look quite innocent and boyish" (page 4)

21 February 1864 · James to his parents

Clarksville, or Boca del Rio, Texas. Quartered with the other officers in comfortable houses, James had rowed out to the steamer for the mail himself. He wrote at length about money: he would stay in the army until the family could live without "so much pinching", for he had never forgotten being poor, nor six years of insult while working under Dr Barker, for whom John was now working. He offered to teach Willie new points of boxing and described teaching nine of his non-commissioned officers to read.

• He had mustered as first lieutenant for three years but did not mean to stay so long.
• If his father "should get to building again", or into some business, he was to use James's money.
• He wrote that the family had been too proud to mix with the poor and too poor for the people they belonged with by taste, so he had few friends among the young people of Williamsburgh.

"I dearly love my home it is in my thoughts by day. and in my dreams by night" (pages 2–3)

13 April 1864 · James to his parents

Boca del Rio, Texas. James was comfortable, healthy and expecting over $400 in pay. He told how the Confederate owners of a wrecked schooner carrying 80 bales of cotton had offered him and two other officers $4,000 to look the other way, and why they refused; of 700 bales seized in the department, he believed, not one had reached the government. He described the paperwork of a company commander and the prices on the Rio Grande, and looked forward to walking his mother to the family's pew in the church their congregation was building.

• He was glad his father was making enough to support the family.
• James had joined a missionary society whose secretary was Geo. E. Waterbury.

"Since I have had charge of the Co I have become quite a business man — there is more writing nessesary then I ever dreamed of" (page 3)

"Then how proud I shall feel to walk up the Isle to our pew with Mother's arm in mine — with my new uniform on — I think a great deal of the uniform" (page 5)

15 April 1864 · Special Order No. 78

Headquarters, 16th Regiment Corps d'Afrique, Brazos Santiago, Texas. An extract of a regimental order, issued by order of Major Geo. H. Tobey, telling each company commander to hand in his company's old arms and equipment once new arms arrived, and to send in requisitions at once for Enfield rifle-muskets. James's copy is addressed to the commanding officer of Company F.

• It is signed by Wm M. Patrick, lieutenant and acting adjutant.
• Major Tobey was in command two days after James wrote that the colonel had gone to New Orleans on leave.

"must be packed in boxes, oiled and in a clean condition before delivery" (page 1)

22 April 1864 · Field order from the adjutant

Headquarters, 16th Regiment Infantry Corps d'Afrique, Brazos Santiago, Texas. A note from the acting adjutant, Wm M. Patrick, asking the lieutenant commanding Company F for the names and number of his men serving on mounted picket, to be reported as absent on detached service, and of those who had gone to New Orleans on a brig.

• It shows some of James's men serving as mounted pickets in April 1864.

"The Major Comdg requests that the names and number of Men from your Company on 'Mounted Pickett' be immediately sent in" (page 1)

24 May 1864 · James to Major General N. P. Banks

Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Mouth of the Rio Grande, Texas. James applied for the captaincy of his own company, F of the 87th U.S. Infantry (Colored), as his regiment was now numbered; it had had no captain since the regiment was organized. The back of the sheet records the application's journey: approved and forwarded with a recommendation that the commission be issued, sent on through the post at Brazos Santiago and Major General F. J. Herron at Brownsville, then returned from Department of the Gulf headquarters in New Orleans on 7 June. It came back to the regiment on 20 June.

• James signed as first lieutenant commanding Company F, 87th U.S. Infantry.
• Every officer who handled the application approved or forwarded it.

"no commissions will be issued from these Head Quarters for the present" (page 2)

26 June 1864 · James to his mother

Boca del Rio, Texas. Paid at last, James sent $200 home by Adams Express, and explained that across the river greenbacks bought only half what silver did. He was glad that Willie's new store, open about a week, was paying its expenses, as far as James could judge, on a stand that could command the trade of the South Side. He told his mother that Mrs Perry, a captain's wife from Albany, would call on her in Brooklyn, described a Confederate surprise of Union cavalry up the river, and hoped to be home by October.

• He bought a Colt revolver for $30.
• He supposed Willie's rent was no more than $12 a month.
• John had left the doctor's.
• James weighed 155 pounds and was growing a moustache.

"much Soldiering or much Loafing does not seem to have improved my writing and I am not sure that it has improved my style of composition" (page 3)

"I went to a fandango or Mexican Ball about a week ago — I aint much on the dance though" (page 4)

3 September 1864 · James to his mother

Boca Chica, Texas. Owed four months' pay, James explained why he wrote no patriotic war talk, and feared the slaughter might go on for years; every soldier, he wrote, wished the government would recruit or draft every Black man fit to serve. He thanked Willie for a package of tea and admired his business circular, and hoped his father's real-estate business would prosper. Scurvy was killing about twelve of the regiment's men a week.

• His father had been in the real estate business so long that he had the confidence of the business men.
• If extra officers were mustered out, James hoped to be one and leave that fall.
• Willie belonged to the Eckford baseball club, and "always was a heavy batter".

"You may wonder why I dont indulge in more talk (or writing) about the war, Patriots exterminating the Rebs and all that sort of thing the fact of it is. it is not my style" (page 1)

"My health is very good due in a great measure to friends I have got among the Natives Reb Ladys at that who have kept me supplied with vegatables" (page 3)

4 October 1864 · Captain Wm. W. Bliss to James

Brazos Santiago, Texas. After the regiments were consolidated, Captain Bliss took command of James's old company. He wrote that five waist belts and plates, two sword belts and plates, and seven gun slings on James's invoice were not in the men's hands, and that he would sign a receipt for everything except those items.

• Bliss signed as captain of Company F, "81st C d A Engs.", and addressed James as of the same regiment.
• He expected to hand over his own company property soon.

"I cannot reasonably ask any man to receipt for stores that I can give no account of" (page 1)

7 October 1864 · James to Brigadier General M. C. Meigs

Headquarters, Company F, 87th U.S. Colored Infantry, Boca Chica, Texas. A covering letter sending the Quartermaster General James's return of clothing, camp and garrison equipage for September 1864, in duplicate, with the receipt for the stores he handed over to Captain Bliss when the two regiments were consolidated. The back is endorsed as a copy, so this is the one James kept for his own file.

• James signed as lieutenant commanding Company F, 87th U.S. Infantry.

25 October 1864 · Receipt for company property

Brazos Santiago, Texas. The last document in the collection is a certificate from Major Geo. H. Tobey, commanding, that "Lieutenant J. D Wade 81 Regt U.S C Infty late 87 Regt U.S. C Infty" had turned over all ordnance and other government property in his possession, made all proper returns, and been on duty up to 25 October 1864. A clearance of this kind was probably what James needed to leave the service, as he had hoped to do that fall.

• The major's signature is heavily flourished; "Geo. H." and "Major" are clear, and "Tobey" is probable.