James Wilson enlisted as a second lieutenant in Company B, 11th Missouri Infantry, in Sangamon County, Illinois, on July 20, 1861. Many of the soldiers in the 11th Missouri were from the state of Illinois. He mustered in at St. Louis on December 31, 1861, and was promoted to first lieutenant on April 21, 1862. On June 30, 1863, Wilson was detached to the Signal Corps as a signal officer, and served in that capacity until July 2, 1864.

The 11th Missouri fought at Fredericktown, New Madrid, Island No. 10, Iuka, Corinth, through the Vicksburg campaign, and at Tupelo, Nashville, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely.
Wilson mustered out of the service on August 15, 1864, at Memphis, Tennessee. He died on May 28, 1927, in Kearney, Nebraska.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31656