"The company was organized at Union [Newton County] in March 1863 [1862]; numbered 113 men; composed of citizens from Newton and Neshoba Counties, about one-half from each. Tatum brought about 25 to 30 men from [the] Beech Springs neighborhood [Neshoba County}, and joining Dr. Lewis and J. B. Fulton, at Union, making a good company of 113. In the organization Tatum was elected Captain.

Source:
History of Newton County, Mississippi : From 1834 to 1894
By A. J. Brown of Newton County, Mississippi

A James Tatom of Neshoba County is enumerated in the 1841 & 1845 Mississippi Census.