James C. Bussey

BUSSEY, JAMES C. (1822 - 1903) ~ James Bussey was born in April 1822, in South Carolina, probably in Edgefield County. He grew up there, married, and by 1857, was living in Alabama where he and his wife Martha, had their first son, George. Three years later, they moved back to South Carolina. By the time the Civil War broke out, the Busseys were living back in Alabama where James enlisted.

James mustered into Company G of the 17th Alabama Infantry as a private in Montgomery, Alabama on September 10, 1861. This unit fought at Shiloh and Farmington and then on into Mobile. The unit went throughout the war becoming heavy artillerists and participating in the Atlanta campaign, Hood?s expedition into Tennessee and the Battle of Bentonville. Towards the end of the war, in 1864, James was transferred into the Navy where he remained until the war ended.

James returned home to his wife and children; one of them, a daughter named Shiloh. James and Martha remained in Alabama, farming and raising children. Three more sons were to follow after James? return home. In 1869, when their last son was born, the family moved to Texas.

James and Martha settled in Panola County, Texas where he worked as a farmer. In 1894, the Bussey family moved again, this time to Hopkins County, Texas. James continued his work as a farmer.

Martha died between 1894 and 1900 and is presumedly buried in the Reilly Springs Cemetery in Hopkins County for James is listed as having a marker there. After her death, James, who was now turning old, feeble, and nearly blind, lived with his daughter, Shiloh and her husband, Thorpe Walker. James lived there until his move into the Confederate Men?s Home in Austin, Texas on June 8, 1902. He remained there until his death on March 17, 1903. It is presumed, as with custom, that he was interred in the State Cemetery the following day or two days later.