Thanks to all who replied to my question. I guess that it could very well could have been a bible of some sort. His Aunt Ann who raised him and his siblings was very religious and required them to read their bibles every day. Here is a photo of James' brothers Oscar and Edward who served in Co. K 18th Miss. Infantry. Oscar was first a Sgt. Major and then and Adjutant. He was killed in the defense of Mayre's Heights during the Chancellorsville Campaign. Edward survived the war.