Sgt. Miles James (ca. 1829-ca. 1871)

KV-32

Miles James, born into slavery in Princess Anne County, made his way to Portsmouth and enlisted in the U.S. Army in Nov. 1863. He was mustered into service at Fort Monroe and soon became a corporal in the 36th U.S. Colored Infantry. James was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism in action at New Market Heights, VA, on 29 Sept. 1864. After a bullet shattered his arm, necessitating an immediate field amputation, he continued to fight and urged his men forward within 30 yards of the Confederate works. Promoted to sergeant, he returned to duty by April 1865. He served briefly in Texas before rejoining his family in Norfolk. James died ca. 1871 of complications from his wound.

Department of Historic Resources, 2019

See a problem? Report it to HighwayMarkers@dhr.virginia.gov.

DHR could use your help! We don't have a recent image of this marker. If you have one that you'd like to submit for inclusion on this site, please send it to HighwayMarkers@dhr.virginia.gov.

References/Bibliographic Citation:

Miles James Compiled Service Record, NARA, Washington, D.C. Miles James Pension File, NARA, Washington, D.C. Miles James Medal of Honor Citation (cmohs.org) U.S. Census, 1870. Report of Colonel Alonzo G. Draper, 36th USCT, 29 Sept. 1864 (Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, vol. 42, pt. 1). James S. Price, The Battle of New Market Heights (Charleston, S.C.: The History Press, 2011). Richmond National Battlefield Park Staff, “The Battle of New Market Heights” (2015). Glen Allen Knoblock, “James, Miles (1829-28 Aug. 1871),” African American National Biography, 4:495-496.