Frederick Douglas James Fought for Freedom

 

Frederick Douglas James was my 1st cousin 3x removed on my paternal line. He was born about 1837 in Wooster, Wayne, Ohio to James Charles James (yeah, I know, a bit of an odd naming convention there) and Amelia James. James and Amelia were cousins who came to Ohio from England, making Frederick a first generation American. Amelia arrived in 1832. I don't yet know when James arrived, but they were married in Ohio in 1835. Frederick was the eldest of 12 children (though 4 are still unidentified and presumed to have died young).

His father, James, was a painter in Wooster, Wayne, Ohio, and then a music dealer selling instruments in a variety/general store he owned in Aurora, Kane, Illinois. In the 1860 Census, Frederick's occupation was listed as "dig artist". Based on another person in my tree who had the same occupation in the same census, it appears to have pertained to those who worked in the growing field of photography. He seemed to be following in the creative footsteps of his father.

On July 25, 1861, Frederick felt the call to fight for his country and volunteered to serve in the Union Army. This was well before the draft of 1863. From all appearances, he truly felt drawn to fight for his country. He took his service seriously and served until December 30,1865, rising through the ranks. Based on his enlistment dates, he served for virtually the entire Civil War. 

When he enlisted in Company A of the Ohio 30th Infantry, he was a Private. On August 14, 1861, just a short time after joining, he was promoted to Full Sergeant. He was then promoted to Full Captain and served from September 2, 1863 to December 30,1865 in Company D of the US Colored Troops, 52nd Infantry Regiment, prior to his ultimate resignation. 

The 52nd United States Colored Troop (USCT) were enlisted black soldiers, lead by white officers, and were posted for garrison duty at Vicksburg, Mississippi until June 1865. They saw combat at Coleman's Plantation, Port Gibson on July 4, 1864. They also participated in the Skirmish at Bayou Liddell on October 15, 1864. The USCT showed just how capable they were in battle. They fought hard for freedom and citizenship. For a more detailed account of the history and contributions of the USCT, read To Die By The Flag Rather Than Disgrace It: Black Mississippians in the Union Army.

While originally researching Frederick, I was lucky enough to stumble upon a site selling an album of photos and tintypes from the 52nd US Colored Troop, including 26 portraits of the officers. The officer's names were all included, and I was amazed to find Frederick's portrait, shown above, included. (Just a reminder: While the link I've included does still work, always save an image when you come across a great find like this in your sleuthing! The internet is ever changing and there is no guarantee you'll be able to reach a specific site again in the future.) Sadly, the album does not include any photos of the troops who fought so valiantly, only the officers. 

The online images of Frederick's military service record are faded and difficult to read. There are a number of letters and handwritten documents. I did drop an image in ChatGPT to transcribe one of the documents, and while it wasn't able to transcribe it entirely, it gave me enough information to work with as I looked at the remainder of his file. He was charged with several counts of conduct unbecoming an officer toward the end of his military career and he was facing a court martial. I was unable to discern exactly what he had done, other than seemingly giving two different accounts of something. I presume it must have been an important something to have charges filed. I did notice he was also listed as absent without leave on at least one muster (something he disputed in his resignation). He was found not guilty on all but one of the charges and was reinstated under his Commanding Officer. 

Subsequently, due to his failing health (backed up by a "surgeries certificate" stating he was suffering from severe gastrointestinal issues and was not fit to return to duty) he tendered his resignation. I can't help but notice Frederick looks very gaunt in his portrait. It may well have been taken near the end of his service. He called out in his resignation he had never been absent without approval (and his records do show he was granted more than one leave of absence to return to Ohio for short periods of time). By this time, the war was over and his health was suffering. He asked for and received an honorable discharge to go home and attend to his personal business.

Upon his return home, he married in 1871, at the age of 34, but I've found no records showing he had any children. In the 1880 Census in Aurora, Kane, Illinois, he was listed as a photographer. He seemingly returned home and settled back into the creative pursuits he enjoyed before the war. Frederick Douglas James died February 10, 1882 in Aurora, Kane, Illinois from paralysis of the stomach. His obituary, dated February 12, 1882 in the Chicago Tribune read in part "...served four years in the army, and was promoted because of peculiar courage in the battle of Vicksburg." 

Frederick not only fought for, but alongside those seeking freedom. While he seemed to have had a few issues at the end of his career, it doesn't diminish his overall service to his country. A whisper from the past, his own words immortalized in his service record sum it up the best. "I left everything took arm in defense of my country to help crush the rebellion."