James D. Baker

BAKER, JAMES D. (1826 ~ 1898). James D. Baker was born in Indiana in 1826. Not much is known of his early life.

He moved to Texas in 1840 and at some point made Marion County his home. Baker enlisted in Company B, of the 5th Texas Infantry in Columbus, Texas, on April 3, 1862. He was part of Hood's Brigade, Field's Division. He appears present on a military roll dated April 1862, and the next roll says he left at Lynchburg, Virginia on June 24, 1862. This could have possibly been after his regiment was involved in the Seven Pines Battle in Henrico County, Virginia.

After that he appears on a roll at a sick camp near Richmond, Virginia for the months of July and August 1862. Another military record says Baker was on a list of wounded on September 17, 1862. James Baker was discharged from the Confederate army six months after he entered on October 6, 1862. His discharge certificate gives physical details such as he was 6'2", had a dark complexion, black eyes, and black hair.

Baker moved back to Texas after he was discharged. He made his living as a farmer. When he entered the Confederate Men's Home on June 19, 1895 he was single and his religious preference was Methodist. His only correspondent listed on his Home roster was a Ben Barker in Columbus, Texas and their relationship is not known.

James Baker died February 6, 1898 and was buried at the Texas State Cemetery.

Information taken from Compiled military records, Confederate Home Roster, and the National Park Service website at itd.nps.gov.