JAMES DUNHAM, JR. was the son of James Dunham, Sr. and Anna Sands of Darke County, Ohio. He enlisted for service in the Civil War (aka The War Between the States & War of the Rebellion). He served as a Private in the 8th Regiment of Company M in the Ohio Voluntary Cavalry, and by April 7th, 1864 was beginning his letter writing to his wife, Margaret Elizabeth Slonaker, who was at home in Darke County, Ohio with his children. He appears to have been stationed originally at Camp Dennison in Hamilton County, Ohio when his letter writing commences. (Camp Dennison was opened in April 1861, and was named for Governor William Dennison, who was born in Cincinnati.) Apparently before a sixth letter could be written, James, found himself among the wounded and a prisoner of war at the infamous Confederate P.O.W. Camp of Andersonville, Sumter County, Georgia. Here according to war records he is said to to have suffered from diarrhea (dysentery) and perhaps suffered from other combat injuries. Here James died on October 1, 1864. Here he was buried at the cemetery in Grave #10189. Margaret received a letter informing her that he had been wounded and that he was taken prisoner.
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