James Gray - Civil War Profile

Private James Gray
Company F, 25th Illinois Infantry
Company K, 15th New York Cavalry

Gray was born in Ireland on November 26, 1840. He was living in Loda (Iroquois County), Illinois when he enlisted in the 25th Illinois Infantry on June 4, 1861. The 20 year old farmer was mustered in the unit on August 6, 1861 and served over 3 years. He was mustered out on September 5, 1864 at Springfield, Illinois. Gray rejoined the military as a member of the 15th New York Cavalry. He enlisted and was mustered on September 17, 1864 and served 9 months. He was mustered out of the 2nd unit on June 12, 1865 at Alexandria, Virginia.

The 25th Illinois Infantry was organized and mustered at St Louis on August 4, 1861. During his enlistment, the unit was involved in several major battles. Some of them include:

• Battle of Pea Ridge (AK) (March 6-8, 1862).
• Siege of Corinth (MS) (April 29-May 30, 1862).
• Battle of Stone’s River (TN) (December 30-31, 1862 – January 1-3, 1863).
• Battle of Chickamauga (GA) (September 19-20, 1863).
• Atlanta (GA) Campaign (June 7-August 1, 1864).
• Assault on Kenesaw Mountain (GA) (June 27, 1864).
• Battle of Peach Tree Creek (GA) (July 19-20, 1864).

Gray joined the 15th New York Cavalry in the latter stages of the Civil War. The unit was assigned to the Appomattox Campaign (VA) (March 28-April 9, 1865) and was involved in several major battles and military operations. Some of them include:

• Battle of Five Forks (VA) (April 1, 1865).
• Fall of Petersburg (VA) (April 2, 1865).
• Lee’s surrender at Appomattox Court House (VA) (April 9, 1865).
• Grand Review of the Troops (Washington DC) (April 9, 1865).

Gray died on January 3, 1923 at the age of 82 years. He is buried in the Haigler Cemetery in Haigler (Dundy County), Nebraska. He was the last member of the Sackett Post (#285) of the Grand Army of the Republic in Haigler.

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-Submitted by Dean Podoll

For more Civil War Profiles, visit Genealogy Trails for Dundy County.