James C. Keys was a farmer, age 37, born in Knox County, Tennessee, living in Pulaski County, Arkansas, when he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 4th Arkansas Cavalry, U.S. Volunteers, on December 8, 1863, and was mustered into service for three years. He was promoted to sergeant on May 1, 1864. He was discharged on a surgeon's certificate of disability at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri, on May 18, 1865. According to the company's descriptive roll, he had blue eyes, light hair, fair complextion, and was 5'8" in height.