Soldiers’ Dossiers
(1861–1865)
James H. Skinner
Capt.—52nd Va. Inf.
From Compiled Military Service Records at National Archives
Personal Information
Name:
James H. Skinner
Birthplace:
Norfolk
Date of Birth:
January 18, 1826
Physical Description:
--
Prewar Life:
University of Virginia 1842-1846; lawyer Staunton; member Virginia legislature
Enlistment Records
Date of Enlistment:
July 9, 1861
Place of Enlistment:
Staunton
Age at Enlistment:
--
Occupation at Enlistment:
--
Conscript Or Substitute:
--
Service Information
Rank:
Capt.
Company:
A
Transfer Company:
--
Regiment:
52nd Va. Inf.
Military Service Record
Promotions:
Elected Lt. Col. 05-01-1862; to Col. 10-24-1863
Transfers and Other Services:
Capt. Co. B and Col. 160th Va. Militia
Muster Sheet:
Present 11-00-1861 to 04-00-1862; commanded left wing of regt. McDowell; commanded regt. Cross Keys, Port Republic, Winchester, Gaines Mill, Malvern Hill, Cedar Run, Bristoe Station, and 2nd Manassas until wounded; absent wounded through 10-00-1862; commanded regt. Fredericksburg 12-13-1862; absent 02-00-1863; present 04-00-1863, 05-00-1863; commanded regt. Fredericksburg 05-05-1863; commanded regt. Gettysburg until wounded 07-03-1863; commanded regt. Mine Run; present 12-00-1863 to 01-00-1864; commanded regt. Wilderness and Spotsylvania Courthouse until wounded 05-12-1864; commanded post Staunton 12-00-1864 to 04-00-1865; retired for disability 03-04-1865
Captured:
--
Missing in Action:
--
Prison:
--
AWOL (Absent without Leave):
--
Deserted:
--
Discharge:
--
Paroled:
--
Notes:
Court of Inquiry found in 1863 that at Bristoe Station 08-27-62 he received an order which under fire of the enemy to withdraw his Regt. to the rear which he did by marching them by the left flank through a thicket of pines in as good order as the nature of the ground would admit of--he leading the way and indicating to the command the direction in which it should march. That at the battle of Fredericksburg. . . he failed in no particular to perform fully his duties as Commander of the Regt. remaining with his Command and giving all the necessary orders and commands. That at the battles of Gaines Mills, Cedar Mountain, and Fredericksburg being in command of the 52 Va. Regt. did perform his duties in every respect as becoming an officer in his command giving all necessary orders and commands and evincing coolness and gallantry. Signed Bgen. Harry T. Hays President of the Court and approved by Gen. R. E. Lee. He is a gentleman, in the highest sense of the term; courteous, intellegent and dignified. His moral qualities are exceptional. His habits are excellent. He is a lawyer by education . . . and practiced his profession with success for 14 years--and gifted with fine talents, and studious in his habits, he has acquired reputation and the confidence of the community (Staunton).
Casualty Information
Killed in Action:
--
Wounded in Action:
August 28, 1862; 2nd Manassas, head, by shell fragment; Gettysburg, blinded for several months by dirt and gravel in eyes 07-03-1863; Spotsylvania Courthouse, in temple by minie ball entering just below the left temple, passing through the left eye, and making its exit on
Died of Disease:
--
Died of Wounds:
--
Hospital:
--
Other Information
Personal Life:
--
Postwar Life:
Lawyer, Staunton; Col. Of Va. Militia 1871; President of Augusta Memorial Association to improve and maintain the Confederate Section of Thornrose Cemetery 1880; member Stonewall Jackson Camp C. V. Staunton; commander of camp 1884
Date of Death:
May 19, 1898
Place of Death:
"Sailor's Rest" Staunton
Burial Place:
Cedar Grove Cemetery Norfolk
Cause Of Death:
--
Epitaph:
--
Dwelling # (1860 Census):
253
Family # (1860 Census):
279