James W Symons by Dylan Venable

A hard working and dedicated civil war soldier James W Symons was born in Maryland, Virginia in 1815. James had guts and Glory to fight for his country and he was in the Virginia Co.6 Cavalry. James W Symons was a Private Confederate. The 6th regiment Virginia Cavalry was originally formed of seven independent companies which were assigned by S.O No.276. A.I.G.O dated Sept. 12th, 1861. Three other companies were subsequently added and the regiment.

According to the 1860 census,

His service record consists of fifteen pages, and the original card numbers include 1) 50802942 2)3058 3)3190 4)3291 5)3411 6)3617 7)3621 8)3711 9)6696 10)6810 11)47422026 12)45084365. The original cards are actually located in the National Archives, in Washington, D.C. James W Symons, a private, has 0 medical records on file and has 0 personal papers on file. Also the Last time James W Symons got paid was by Captain Carter on April 30th, 1862 and he was present for this muster period. He was enlisted in Camp Smith by Col. Harrison and was in the war for 3 total years of the war. On March 7th of 1862 James W Symons was enlisted in the Muster Roll. James W Symons was fighting in the war in May and June of 1862. James was re-enlisted in the Muster Roll in September and October of 1862 as well as November and December of the same year. It was recorded that James was absent as of Dec.12th 1862 because he was leaving as a scout and they marked him as a deserter. James came back again on Feb.28th of 1863 and was again re-enlisted on the Muster Roll. James fought from that time on until Aug. 16th of 1863 where he was captured in Piedmont/Fauquier, County Virginia. He was then recaptured again in Marcum Station, Virginia a few days later. I believe he was captured upon return from the Gettysburg campaign, which he fought in at Fairmont, PA.

On Sept. 26th of 1863 James W Symons was transported to a prison called Point Lookout in Maryland, U.S. James W Symons later died in the prison on Aug. 9th of 1864 of an unknown cause of death. James W Symons was taken as a POW and committed on Aug. 20th.

Overall James W Symons was a slightly successful soldier but his time was very short in the war. I would say this because he served only 3 years in the war before being captured and put in in prison. He had many more years to live but unfortunately he died in the prison he was put in. The situations and detail that go along with James can be considered indescribable as he was dedicated and hard-working trying to serve his country. James will not only continually have an impact on this society but every soldier who is brave and courageous enough will. James should be a well-known soldier remembered for fighting and serving in the war he should be known in our hearts and our lives for protecting us. Lets spread the story of James to inspire others across the Nation to have inspiration and dedication like he did. These type of people like James have a heart some will never know or feel. He holds an impact on this world that some may not know about and it may not be obvious but James lived a life just like us but lived it to the next level. So go be like James and make a difference in society, serve others, & serve your country. Your story too could be told one day. Let this story of James Symons inspire you to take the next step and start your new journey.

Citations:

1860 Census, ancestry.com SOURCE INFORMATION

Image URL: https://www.fold3.com/image/7102660

Publication Number: M324

Publication Title: Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations

From the State of Virginia

Publisher: NARA

National Archives Catalog ID: 586957

National Archives Catalog Title: Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Confederate

Organizations, compiled 1903 - 1927, documenting the period 1861 - 1865

Record Group: 109

State: Virginia

Short Description: NARA M324. Compiled service records of Confederate soldiers from Virginia units,

Labeled with each soldier's name, rank, and unit, with links to revealing documents

About each soldier.

Roll: 0071

Military Unit: Sixth Cavalry

Given Name: James W

Surname: Symons

Age: [Blank]

Year: 1862