We usually see on these later pension applications, the state pension boards contacting the Adjutant General, U. S. War Department to verify the man’s service.

We do not see such correspondence in the records for James. However, these records are not always complete.

Had the War Department checked his records, they would have found the following, which would certainly have invalidated any claim for her pension.

James Billett was captured at Vicksburg, Miss. July 4, 1863, refused to sign parole, subsequently forwarded to Camp Douglas, Ill via St. Louis, Mo., later, at Camp Douglas, he declared he was conscripted into the Confederate army and was desirous to take the oath of allegiance to the United States. He then enlisted in the U. S. Navy and was rejected on account of Physical Disability. Subsequently he swore allegiance to the United States and was released at Camp Douglas, Ill., December 28, 1864.

Note, these releases usually required the person to remain North of the Ohio river for the duration of the war.