James Slaughter (b.
circa 1845 - d. 1922)
MSA SC 3520-3783
USCT Soldier, Talbot County, Maryland
Biography:
James Slaughter was born free in Talbot County, Maryland around 1845.1 The Civil War offered him the opportunity to fight for the liberation of African-Americans. Bordley was freed "on or before April 19, 1861," which presumably enabled him to earn $300.00 as a soldier in the Union army.2 He was paid a $300 bounty on September 15, 1865 for volunteering to serve in the war.3 He left Talbot County in 1863 to join the United States Colored Troops. After arriving in Baltimore, he enlisted on September 20, 1863 to serve as a private in Company E of the 4th regiment.4 After enlisting, the regiment was sent from Baltimore to Yorktown, Virginia to drill and build fortifications.5 The regiment participated in various battles and skirmishes, including helping to capture City Point, Virginia in May 1864 and the Petersburg campaign.6 In June of 1864, they were assigned to the Bermuda Hundred where they had an active role in the battles at Spring Hill and Jordan's Farm.7 Between those two engagements, the regiment suffered severe losses.8
In September 1864, James Slaughter received a gunshot wound to his left leg while at Deep Bottom, Virginia.9 The regiment was actively involved in the operation against Fort Harrison, which it eventually helped capture. James Slaughter was severely wounded during the war when he was "wounded by a minnie ball in the left leg in the battle in front of Petersburg, Va."10 As a result, his leg was "amputated in the field of battle, above the knee" and he was sent to the U.S. General Hospital near Camp Hamilton (or Hampton) from the battlefield in 1864.11 From there, he was transferred to David's Island, New York on October 17, 1864 and then eventually discharged from the army.12 He was officially discharged from the army on January 17, 1865.13 Slaughter was deemed "unable to wear artificial limb," which he believed entitled to an increase of pension under the act of March 3, 1883.14
After the war, he moved to Baltimore City, Maryland where he resided for around 50 years. Slaughter began earning a pension of $8.00 per month commencing March 27, 1865 and ending June 5, 1866; beginning June 6, 1866 his pension rate was increased to $15.00 per month.15 He was unable to make a living due to the loss of his leg, which made it possible for him to continue receiving a substantial pension increase. On June 4, 1872, his pension amount was $24.00 per month, it was increased to $30.00 per month on November 17, 1886, then to $36.00 per month on December 8, 1886.16 In 1890, James Slaughter was receiving $36.00 per month for serving for one year and six months.17 Under the Act of March 2, 1903, Slaughter was approved for a pension rate of $55.00 per month, which was a subtantial amount.18 By the time of his death, Slaughter was earning a monthly pension rate of $65.00 per month, which was last paid on October 4, 1922, one month before his death.19
While in Baltimore, he had several residences including 30 St. Paul Street, 19 South Spring Street, 732 North Spring Street, and 201 East Lombard Street.20 He resided on South Spring Street around 1880 and was a boarder in the residence of Sarah Newman.21 On the 1880 census, his occupation was an "oyster shucker."22 From November 21, 1918 until November 11, 1922, James Slaughter suffered from general arteriosclerosis.23 He was sent to Anne Arundel County, Maryland where he remained at Crownsville State Hospital until his death because he was classified as "insane."24 Slaughter resided at the Crownsville State Hospital for two years, eleven months, and twenty days before passing away on November 11, 1922.25 He was buried at Crownsville Cemetery on November 16, 1922.26
5. Wilmer, L. Allison , J. H. Jarrett, and Geo. W. F. Vernon. History and Roster of Maryland Volunteers, War of 1861-65. Vol. 2 (Baltimore, MD: Guggenheimer, Weil & Co., 1899), 129.
6. Ibid.
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
11. Ibid.
12. Ibid., 13, 22. ; Ancestry.com. National Archives and Records Administration. U.S., Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1861-1865. Record for James Slaughter. Casualty Sheet. Company E. 4th United States Colored Troops. Page 363.
14. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) James Slaughter. Page 19.
15. Ibid., 43.
17. U.S. CENSUS BUREAU (Census Record, MD) 1890. Baltimore, Maryland. "James Slaughter." Line 18. MSA SM61-352.
18. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) James Slaughter. Page 29.
19. Ibid., 34.
22. Ibid.
24. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) James Slaughter. Pages 35, 41.
25. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS (Death Record) James Slaughter. Anne Arundel County. [MSA SE43-3454]. ;
26. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS (Death Record) James Slaughter. Anne Arundel County. [MSA SE43-3454].
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