Private James Arnold

Pvt. James Arnold

Private James Arnold was born around 1834 in Franklin County, Virginia. As a teenager, he was enslaved in Missouri by Henry Hill, who referred to him as “Jim” and described him as “about 18 years old” and “a slave for life.” In 1852, Hill sold James to Harvey Arnold for $800. Both slave owners had farms near Paris in Monroe County, Missouri.

Records seem to indicate that while still enslaved, James was “married” to Martha J. Calloway, and the couple had children prior to James’ enlistment with the United States Colored Troops. Although marriages between enslaved people were not legally recognized, they might be supported and encouraged by enslavers.

James enlisted with the United States Colored Troops (USCT) on October 2, 1864, in Mexico, Missouri, approximately 27 miles from Paris. At the time, he was 30 years old, 5’8” tall, with black complexion, black hair, and black eyes. His occupation is listed as farmer, and he agreed to serve for three years.

On his Volunteer Enlistment form, his signature was expressed with a mark, since at the time of his enlistment, he could not read. Two years later, in December 1866, Harvey Arnold filed a claim with the United States government seeking compensation for the loss of his enslaved laborer, noting James had enlisted and signed an Oath of Allegiance.

James served with the 18th United States Colored Troops, Company C, which was organized in Missouri on February 1, 1864. The 18th USCT was then attached to the District of St. Louis, Missouri, from September 28, 1864, to December 1864. Arnold was on duty in the District of St. Louis, Missouri, until November 1864. On November 7, 1864, he was ordered to Nashville, Tennessee, and then to Paducah, Kentucky, from November 7-11, and then back to Nashville, Tennessee, to participate in the occupation of Nashville during Hood’s investment from December 1-15. His regiment participated in the Battles of Nashville from December 15-16. His unit pursued Hood and his fleeing troops to the Tennessee River from December 17-28. Hood’s army retreated to Tupelo, Mississippi, and Arnold went with his regiment to Bridgeport, Alabama, to guard the railroad until February 1865. In that time, he saw action at Elrod’s Tan Yard on January 27, 1865.

His regiment was then stationed at Chattanooga, Tennessee where Arnold became sick and was hospitalized from May 2, 1865, until August 1865. By September, he was back on duty and mustered out on February 21, 1866, at which time he was paid a bounty of $100.00.

Following the war, James’s marriage to Martha Calloway was made official in Monroe, Missouri, on June 12, 1867. The document also recognizes their five children: Henry, Amanda Jane, Harriet, Bill, and Eddy.

James Arnold is found in census records under his wife’s maiden name. He is listed in the 1870, 1880, 1900 census in Paris, Monroe County, Missouri. The 1870 census listed four children with the Calloway surname: Amanda Jane (14), Harriet (12), Giles E (8), and Nancy (1). By 1880, two grandchildren, William and Sallie Calloway, both born around 1875, were living with James and Martha. There are no confirmed marriage records for Amanda and Harriet, though it is possible the grandchildren were their children.

James Arnold applied for an invalid pension on November 23, 1893, under the application number 1154,2283 and Certificate number 1053,956, using the surname Arnold, by which he was known in the military. By 1900, he was widowed and living with a granddaughter named Callie, born in 1898. He reapplied for a pension on August 28, 1907, and it was granted. However, James Arnold died shortly after on March 14, 1910. He was buried in Holliday Cemetery in Paris, Missouri, according to his death certificate.

Contributors: Olivia Adkins, Toni Smith, Cathie Cummins and Joyce Staples