21st Ohio Volunteers

Our 21^st Ohio soldier of the month is James Mays of Company F.  James enlisted on September 5, 1861, and was mustered into service on September 19 in Findlay, Ohio.  He was a 29-year old farmer from outside Findlay who stood just 5 feet 10 inches tall with a dark complexion, grey eyes, and black hair.

James spent most of his military time in the hospital in Findlay and Nashville (TN).  He returned to the regiment in August 1862.  He worked on the defenses around Nashville with his comrades.

On December 24, 1862, the regiment was called to action and started the march south toward Murfreesboro, where the Confederate army was located.  The regiment stopped at the Nashville-Murfreesboro Pike to let two regiments pass them toward the front.  This gave many of the men a brief chance to write some notes home.  James took the opportunity to write his wife Tabitha and tell her how he missed his family.  This was the first Christmas he had spent away from them.

The regiment moved into the battle line late on December 30.  As the sun rose on December 31, the 21^st was hit by a strong Confederate attack.  The 21^st held it’s ground until the regiment was almost surrounded.  At that time they had an orderly withdrawal to the railroad.  James survived this day’s fight but suffered a wound to his left arm.  The regiment rested on New Year’s Day 1863.

On January 2, the 21^st was the left of the Union line.  They pressed an attack across Stones River and pushed the Confederates nearly a mile.  In this charge, James suffered a gunshot wound to his stomach.  He was transferred to Hospital #8 in Nashville and died on January 27, 1863.

James’ final paper work showed that he was owed $100 from his enlistment bounty.  He was buried in Stones River National Cemetery (Section F, Grave 2483).