This man enlisted at Camp Wells (Wills?) at Mobile AL on Mar. 19, 1864. Assigned to Co. "H", 12th Alabama Infantry, he was sent to Virginia. Like most recruits, Dinkins became ill shortly after arriving in camp and was admitted to Howard's Grove Hospital, Richmond VA, May 16, 1864. He was not released until Aug. 21, 1864, by which time his regiment had marched hundreds of miles, down the Shenandoah Valley, across the Potomac River into Maryland and the District of Columbia, and back again.

In the summer of 1864 the 12th served with four other Alabama regiments in Cullen A. Battle's Brigade as part of a division commanded by Maj.Gen. Robert E. Rodes. Lee had sent Jubal Early with the Second Corps of his Army of Northern Virginia to occupy significant Union forces and relieve some of the pressure on Confederate lines around Richmond and Petersburg. Dinkins may have returned to the 12th Alabama in time to participate in Early's defeats at Winchester and Fisher's Hill VA in September 1864.

Pvt. Dinkins was captured during the disaster at Cedar Creek VA on the afternoon of Oct. 19, 1864. Sent to prison at Point Lookout MD, Dinkins remained there until released for exchange. This took place at Boulware's Wharf on the James River, Mar. 30, 1865. Evidently he was immediately sent home on furlough, as was the practice with most released prisoners of war.

Private Dinkins (his names usually appears in the records as J. N. or James N.) received his parole at Mobile AL on June 7, 1865. The parole describes him as 38 years old, five feet six inches tall, gray eyes, brown hair, a resident of Clarke County AL. Although his experience with the Army of Northern Virginia appears to have been something less than 3-1/2 years, doubtless Dinkins' comrades would have described his service as honorable.

If you would like to have it, I can provide a copy of this service record and information about Company "H". Please contact me at pittsaj14@hotmail.com if I can assist you.