In August of 1862, James enlisted with Company B of the 7th Regiment Maryland Volunteer Infantry, fighting for the Union side in the Civil War. According to his great grandson Glenn Chrisman, James was wounded in May 1865 during the battle known as the Wilderness, one of many smaller battles of the Overland Campaign. He was able to heal and rejoin his unit. Early in the morning of 1 April during the Battle of Five Forks James was seriously wounded in the chest, most likely from a rifle shot. He was carried to the rear for care, but died that afternoon eight days before the surrender at Appomattox . He was the only fatality of his regiment during this battle and unfortunately, his burial location is not known. His eldest son Thomas also fought for the Union side with the 1st and then 13th Maryland Regiment even participating in the Battle of Gettysburg but fortunately never got wounded; instead he was captured at Harper's Ferry. James wrote many letters back home during his time in service, one of which was written while he was at Bristoe Station, Virginia. Glenn donated this particular letter to the Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park where it was displayed at one time in the Visitor's Center.
In August of 1862, James enlisted with Company B of the 7th Regiment Maryland Volunteer Infantry, fighting for the Union side in the Civil War. According to his great grandson Glenn Chrisman, James was wounded in May 1865 during the battle known as the Wilderness, one of many smaller battles of the Overland Campaign. He was able to heal and rejoin his unit. Early in the morning of 1 April during the Battle of Five Forks James was seriously wounded in the chest, most likely from a rifle shot. He was carried to the rear for care, but died that afternoon eight days before the surrender at Appomattox . He was the only fatality of his regiment during this battle and unfortunately, his burial location is not known. His eldest son Thomas also fought for the Union side with the 1st and then 13th Maryland Regiment even participating in the Battle of Gettysburg but fortunately never got wounded; instead he was captured at Harper's Ferry. James wrote many letters back home during his time in service, one of which was written while he was at Bristoe Station, Virginia. Glenn donated this particular letter to the Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park where it was displayed at one time in the Visitor's Center.
Gravesite Details
It is believed that James may be buried at Poplar Grove National Cemetery according to Glenn L Chrisman.
Family Members
-
![]()
Thomas H. Shelton
1842–1938
-
![]()
Mary Margaret Shelton Goodrich Helmer
1844–1933
-
Christena Whilhelmina Shelton
1849–1865
-
![]()
Melvina Shelton Hausafus
1852–1928
-
Charles Edward Shelton
1854 – unknown
-
![]()
James William Shelton Jr
1855–1897
-
![]()
Erwin Ernest Shelton
1857–1951
-
![]()
John Caldwin Shelton
1858–1932
-
![]()
Emma Jane "Emily" Shelton Chrisman
1861–1955
-
![]()
Joseph Hooker Shelton
1863–1954
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
