James M. Dennis (1839 - aft. 1871)

James M. Dennis (1839–after 1871) was born on 12 Sept 1839 in Knox County, Ohio, the eldest of seven children of Isaac Dennis and Mary Ellen Woodward. He appears in the 1850 census with his parents and siblings in Jackson Township, Knox County, Ohio, and in the 1860 census in Albion, Marshall County, Iowa.

James enlisted on 30 July 1861 and was mustered in as a Corporal in Company B, 2nd Iowa Cavalry on 31 Aug 1861. His brother, William W. Dennis, mustered in to the same company one day later on 1 Sept. Company B was composed primarily of men from the Marshall County area in Iowa. The 2nd Iowa is most famous for their actions in Grierson’s raid in April of 1863, decoying the Confederacy and engaging with the 2nd/22nd Tennessee Cavalry in a skirmish at Palo Alto, Mississippi.

James was quickly promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant on 15 Oct 1862. He reenlisted as a veteran volunteer on 1 March 1864 at Memphis, Tennessee, together with his brother William. While William stayed with Company B throughout the duration of the war, James had different plans. In a letter dated 31 Mar 1864 applying for a commission in the 3rd Tennessee Infantry, James described himself as a 24-year-old farmer from Albion, Iowa, who had served with the 2nd Iowa Cavalry since its organization, participating in the taking of New Madrid, the evacuation of Island No. 10, the siege of Corinth, and numerous cavalry raids in northern Mississippi and western Tennessee.

Although he does not appear to have been appointed to the 3rd Tennessee Infantry, James was commissioned Captain of Company M, 4th United States Colored Troops Heavy Artillery on 15 Jul 1864 at Columbus, Kentucky, with rank from 14 May 1864. He was officially discharged from the 2nd Iowa Cavalry on 27 Sept 1864 for promotion. The 4th USCT Heavy Artillery was formed from the 2nd Tennessee Heavy Artillery (African Descent) and was on garrison duty at Fort Halleck, Columbus, Kentucky. On 25 Jul 1864, Captain Dennis received orders from Brigadier General Eleazer A. Paine to proceed to Cairo, Illinois, for the purpose of recruiting for the 4th USCT.

In a personal history addressed to the regimental adjutant dated 9 Feb 1865, Captain Dennis submitted his biography as requested:

“Sir: In compliance with orders I report that I enlisted in the 2nd Regt of Iowa Cavalry and was mustered in to the U.S. Service August 31, 1861 at Davenport Iowa. I was appointed Sergeant soon after the organization of the Regiment in which position I acted till appointed to my present grade May 10th 1864. I reenlisted in the second Regt of Iowa veteran volunteer Cavalry March 1st 1864 at Memphis, Tenn. Was born in Knox Co. Ohio. Place of residence when appointed Marshall Co., Iowa. Was present at the taking of Newmarket, evacuation of Island No. 10, through entire siege of Corinth, participating in several extensive raids and important engagements and after the evacuation of the palace was in most of the cavalry expeditions of consequence in Northern Mississippi and Western Tenn. till the Spring of 1864 when I was detailed to recruit for a colored regt. at Memphis Tenn. and after recruiting a company was appointed to my present position. I have the honor to be very respectfully your obedient servant, James M. Dennis, Capt 4th U.S.C. Art (Hy).”

By December 1865, the 4th USCT was stationed at Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas, where Captain Dennis remained in command of Company M until the regiment was mustered out on 25 Feb 1866.

In the 1870 census, James was recorded in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, working as a lawyer. On 5 Mar 1871, he married German immigrant Frederica Caroline Schumacher, the widow of William Schumacher, who had died in 1870. That same month, James was appointed administrator of her late husband’s estate. Frederica died on 11 Oct 1871, less than 8 months after their marriage, and James became administrator of her estate as well. On 2 May 1872, he was replaced as administrator of both William’s and Frederica’s estates, suggesting that James either died or moved away before that date. No headstone, probate file, or will has been located for him at this time.

Inscription on the back of his portrait photo.

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Notice: The information in the biography above has been researched and provided by the author and has not been verified by the SUVCW or the ASUVCW.