James Coleman's military record is gathered from several sources. According to a family history written by Mrs. Johnnie Mae Hardy Johnson,
"Captured by the Yanks in the Battle of Vicksburg during the Civil War, sent to Altoon Illinois as prisoner, then returned or traded back to Rebels in time to be in the battle at Corinth with his neighbor, Daniel Hawks of Arkansas. (Source below says he was captured at Corinth, sent to Alton, IL and later exchanged at Vicksgurg. Webmaster note) Just before the war ended James M. Coleman was ordered from Arkansas to go to Atlanta but decided that he head had enough so stayed in Arkansas and swore allegiance to the Union (this is supported by source below). He owned his own horse during the War and had an active part in it. He was listed as blonde, blue eyed, fair skin, five feet, eleven inches and 25 years, with place of residence listed as Redlands Township, Bradley County, Arkansas. He served as a Private, Company D, 2nd Regiment, Arkansas Calvary (supported below). In 1863 (must have been 1862, see source below) he carved a box from a chunk of wood, which I remember seing as a child, while was in prison. This was given to his eldest child, Martha Ann Coleman, who married John Gilbert Driver, and had Johnnie May Driver, 1883, my mother."
The following information was retrieved from the website www.insolwwb.net/~egerdes/2batcavb.html (Unfortunately the site has been taken down at that address and I have not been able to locate it):
Coleman, James M
Private - Enlisted in Co. B, 2nd Arkansas Cavalry Battalion, at Mount Elba, Arkansas, February 22, 1862; transferred to Co. d, 2nd Arkansas Cavlary Regiment, May 15, 1862; Captured at Corinth, Mississippi, June 1, 1862; confined at U. s. Military Prison, Alton, Illinois, until exchanged; deserted April 3, 1864; took oath of allegiance at (my information stops here).
From Selected Records of the War Dept Relating to Confederate Prisoners of War 1861-65 (Micro # M598, Roll # 014, Birmingham Public Library)
Roll of Prisoners of War at Military Prison, Alton, ILL p.28-29.
#317 - Coleman, James M. Pvt 2 Ark Cav, Captured Corinth, June 1, 1862, sent to Vicksburg for Exchange, Sept 1862.
More information is available on the Confederate Pension application of his 3rd wife, Laura.
