James Albert Taber

James Albert Taber was born around 1843 in New York, possibly the son of Louisa M. (1810-1879).

Massachusetts native Louisa was married sometime before 1840, probably in New York, and eventually settled in western Michigan. By 1850 “Albert” was living with his mother in Hastings, Barry County and by 1860 “James” was working as a clerk and living with his mother in Hastings, Barry County.

He stood 5’8” with black eyes, dark hair and a light complexion and was 18 years old and possibly still living in Barry County when he enlisted with his mother’s consent in Company E on May 13, 1861.

Shortly after the Third Michigan arrived at Camp Blair along the banks of the Potomac, on June 16, 1861, Tabor along with several other hastings soldiers wrote to the editor of the Hastings Banner.

We are all here in Camp in good spirits, occupying an elevated position on the Potomac, six miles north of the city of Washington, and going through the usual performances of Camp life. The days are occupied in drill, and the nights are more or less used for scouting, but we see none of the enemy. There are several regiments encamped close by us, and more coming in every day. The District of Columbia is so occupied by troops that there is, seemingly, scarcely room for another Regiment. Our Fourth of July was very curt [?].

We have about made up our minds that we have left no friends in Hastings; we have written from five to eight letters each, and have received no answers. A few lines from home would do us much good, especially from our friends, if we have any. If money is scarce out that way and our friends are out of postage stamps and envelopes, let them draw on us and they can be accommodated.

“James” was reported absent sick in the hospital, possibly in Philadelphia in mid-July, and from August of 1862 through October of 1863, although Andrew Kilpatrick, also of Company E, reported that “Alembert” was present for duty with the regiment in late May of 1863. Probably while he was in one of the Philadelphia hospitals, he married Mary K. (Miller), of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (In April of 1865 he listed his residence as Philadelphia.)

In any case, James had returned by the time he reenlisted on December 23, 1863, at Brandy Station, Virginia, crediting Gaines, Kent County, was presumably absent on veteran’s furlough, possibly in Barry County, in January of 1864 and probably returned to the Regiment on or about the first of February.

James was shot in the left hip on May 6, 1864, at the Wilderness, Virginia, and admitted as “James A.” on June 6 to Patterson Park general hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He was still absent wounded when he was transferred to Company E, Fifth Michigan infantry in June of 1864, and he remained absent sick through March of 1865.

James was a Sergeant when he was sent home to Hastings on a furlough from Baltimore, on October 24, 1864, where he remained until November 13. (It is not known if he went to Philadelphia during thisperiod.)

He rejoined his Regiment in early spring of 1865 and was wounded by a musket-ball in his leg on March 31, 1865, at Hatcher’s Run, Virginia. He was transferred to Lincoln Hospital in Washington, DC, where he died of his wounds on April 18, 1865.

James was reportedly buried on April 19, presumably in Washington, although it was also reported that his personal effects were taken by one William D. Miller of Philadelphia (possibly a brother- or father-in-law), and his body was sent “home” for burial, perhaps to Philadelphia.

In May of 1865 his widow applied for and received a pension (no. 60502).

James’ mother died in 1879, probably in Hastings and is buried in Riverside cemetery, Hastings.