Private James M. Ballard, Company F, 43rd Tennessee Infantry. Company F was from Roane County, Tennessee. Twenty-four year old James enlisted on November 1, 1861 in Roane County, Tennessee. The company muster roll for May-June 1863 only notes that he died on June 26, 1863.

There is also a William L. Ballard in Company F. It is likely his brother. William L. Ballard enlisted on March 1, 1862 in Morristown, Tennessee and was present up through about August 1863.

I found both James M. and William L. in the 1850 Federal Census in Roane County. They both lived in the household of Washington Ballard, 42, male; Sarah, 35, female; Thomas J., 13, male; James M., 11, male; William L., 9, male; Mary J., 7, female; Fanny A., 5, female; Andrew L., 3, male; John T., 7 months, male. Washington's occupation was farming and Thomas J. through Fanny A. had attended school within the last year.

I found them in the 1860 Federal Census, Philadelphia, Tennessee Post Office, Roane County. This area today is Loudon County. It became Loudon County in 1870. Washington, 52; Harriet, 38 (this is probably a second wife); Thomas J. (clerk), 25; Monroe J., 22; William, 20; Mary, 18; Ann, 16; John, 10; Sarah, 6; Callie, 5 months. William through Sarah had attended school in the last year. Washington had $30,000 in value of real estate and $20,000 in personal property. The 1860 Federal Slave Schedule shows that he owned thirteen slaves; 58f, 28m, 25f, 24f, 21m, 19m, 18m, 18m, 9m, 8f, 7m, 6m, 2f.

Ballard is still a common name in the Roane, Monroe, McMinn, and Meigs county areas.

The 43rd Tennessee was involved in a considerable amount of fighting on its part of the line. They rotated in and out of the skirmishing line in an area known as the Salient Work. They rotated duty with the 57th Georgia, Cumming's Brigade. It is possible that he was initially wounded and died of wounds later but more evidence would have to be found to determine either way.

I have something else I believe in my files on the Ballard and I will dig for it over the next couple of days to see what it is.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Respectfully,

Gerald D. Hodge, Jr.
M.A. Military History - Civil War Concentration
Research - Preservation
Historian: 39th Georgia Volunteer Infantry Regiment