David, I note on Find-A-Grave that an attempt was made to get a picture of James’ marker in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, Virginia, and that the cemetery office reported that there is no record of James, nor is he in the cemetery database. A perusal through his CSR reveals that his death date was 18 Apr 1863, yet he appears on a list of patients admitted to the Small Pox Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia, on that very day, and the list was dated days later on 21 Apr 1863. I would think his death would have been recorded on that list. Do you think it possible that he made it through his illness, returned home, and enlisted 09 Nov ’63 in the 4th Arkansas Cavalry, USA, along with his brother, Thomas (and possibly his Uncle George)? In addition, I came across a genealogy site on Ancestry.com that put James in the 4th Arkansas Cavalry, USA, and that he died in 1864. Of course, one should never utilize genealogy information without first finding proof.

I have found many discrepancies in the Compiled Service Records, including a soldier killed during the Battle of Prairie Grove, yet he appeared in the 1870 census alive and kicking. I can see how the date death could have been confused with the date of hospital admittance. I realize this is all very circumstantial, but perhaps it might provide another direction for thought. Good luck.