James Henry Bozarth

Born: 2 May 1827 in DeKalb County, Tennessee

Died: 8 Dec 1881 in DeKalb County, Tennessee

Company A, 16th Tennessee Infantry, CSA

16 Sep 1862-Deserted 10 Aug 1863

Company C, 1st Tennessee Mounted Infantry, USA

21 Oct 1863-13 Dec 1864

James was the son of William Bozarth and Nancy Allen Burton.  He married Mary Ball Smith, daughter of Charles Smith Sr. and Didama Vance. They had 10 children between 1855 and 1877. Incidentally, wife Mary was sister to Silvey Smith, Joseph Denton Roberts' wife.

James, evidently, was early passionate towards the Confederate cause as he named his son Jefferson Davis Bozarth on 29 Jun 1861 and first enlisted on the Confederate side with Company A, 16th Tennessee Infantry at Smithville, DeKalb County, Tennessee 16 Sep 1862. However, something caused him to change his allegiance as he deserted Company A on 10 Aug 1863. The following excerpt from "Campaigns & Battles of the 16th Tennessee Infantry" pages 114 and 115 describe the conditions and morale that prevailed in the Unit at this time in history.

"The Confederates continued their retreat across the Tennessee river, and arrived at Chattanooga early in July. During this retreat Vicksburg had fallen into the hands of the enemy, by which the whole Mississippi river was now open to the enemy from its source to the Gulf. Other points had fallen into the enemy's hands. The Confederate soldiers began to grow dejected at the loss of so many strongholds, especially when they realized that a place once in the hands of the Federals was permanently lost. It seemed that Confederate history at this time was fast becoming a catalogue of reverses, and the Confederate soldier was growing weary of the many and prominent additions that were being constantly made to the list. Beset with these feelings, the Confederates upon their arrival at Chattanooga encamped upon the same ground which they occupied the year before on the eve of their campaign into Kentucky. The men, discouraged by so many reverses, had begun to desert the Confederate ranks, and General Bragg had been punishing the evil with the severest penalties known to the Army Regulations. Quite a number of soldier, had been court-martialed and shot while the army was at Tullahoma and Shelbyville. These victims were principally from the Gulf States, though a few were from the border States. When the army arrived at Chattanooga there were quite a number under sentence and awaiting the day set for their execution.

General Bragg rested his army at Chattanooga during the months of July and August, during which time he strengthened the fortifications about the place. As important military movements were expected in the near future, the Confederate leader issued orders to liberate all who had charges preferred against them, except those under sentence of death, and recommended Executive clemency in their behalf. The Confederate authorities heeded his recommendation in general, and the sentence of death was revoked in many instances on the very eve of the hour set for the execution of the sentence, and the culprits were restored to their respective companies."

After deserting his Confederate unit, he made his way safely home and, along with his father-in-law and other family and friends, joined the Union Army on 21 Oct 1863 at Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee. He was present for duty on all muster rolls until he was mustered out on 13 Dec 1864.

I have found no record of James applying for an invalid pension. His wife's application for a widow's pension was evidently disapproved. Currently awaiting copy of the application from the National Archives to learn why.

Both James and wife, Mary, are buried in the Goff Cemetery in DeKalb County, Tennessee.