James Alexander Gary - Civil War Soldier

James Alexander Gary is the grandson of Peter Gary, Sr. through his son Jonathan.

James Alexander Gary was 28 when he enlisted as a soldier in the Civil War. He mustered in on October 14, 1861 in to Company L, 6th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry. The Regimental Descriptive Book describes him as: Age 28 yrs; Height 5'5"; Complexion Sandy; Eyes Hazel; Hair Light; [NOTE: I believe the entries in Complexion and Hair were reversed on the form] Where born Summerset PA; Occupation Farmer; Term 3 yrs. He was mustered out on November 12, 1864 at New Creek, West Virginia.

The Sixth West Virginia Infantry Regiment was organized August, 1861. Regiment organized for railroad guard duty and served on line of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad by detachments, at various points west of Sleepy Hollow entire term. For a detailed account of the history and service of this regiment, visit West Virginia in the Civil War - 6th West Virginia Infantry.

On July 12, 1890, James Gary then age 58, applied for a pension under the Act of June 27, 1890. He declared that he was "unable to earn a support by reason of lameness in left leg; rheumatism lumbago disability on right side; disease of eyes." At the time, he was living in Littleton, Wetzel County, West Virginia. It appears that application was turned down. He applied again under the Act of May 11, 1912 and this time was granted a pension of thirty dollars per month to commence on May 20, 1912. James died in 1915 and on April 26, 1915, his widow, Anna McLaine Gary, age 75, applied for and was granted a pension. His pension file contains a wealth of family information. James Alexander Gary died on April 21, 1915.

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James Alexander Gary in his uniform.	James Alexander Gary as an old man
	His obituary appeared in the Columbus Evening Dispatch Thursday, April 22, 1915. James A. Gary, a veteran of the Civil War, died at midnight Wednesday, at his home at 676 Mohawk Street from senility. He was 83 years of age. During the war he served as a private in Co. L of the Sixth West Virginia Volunteer Infantry. He was a member of the G.A.R. of Pennsylvania. Surviving him are his wife, four sons, George of Pittsburgh, Thomas and Stephen of Pataskala, and John Gary of Columbus, one daughter, Mrs. Andrew Bisch of Columbus, and one step daughter, Miss Lilie McClain, also of Columbus. There are also 22 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren...body will be taken to Pataskala for burial by Maeder Bros. and Sebitsky.

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