While searching for a different James M. Skelton, I ran across these letters from Sgt Skelton to his sister describing his travels from Texas to east Tennessee and ultimately to Chickamauga where he was killed on Sept 19, 1863. I thought others may have interest in these.

http://www2.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/s/Skelton,James_M.html#folder_1#1

The James M. Skelton I'm searching was a resident of either Texas or the Choctaw Nation. I have found a number of documents on Fold3.com related to sales of goods to AQM Capt. James A.N. Murray of Lt. Col. George E. Deneale's Choctaw Warriors (referred to as a battalion or regiment -- aka Choctaw Virginia Regiment) that was organized in early 1862 for service in Virginia but disbanded in May 1862 when the Choctaw refused to leave the Choctaw Nation.

It seems likely that the above two men are related but I have yet to confirm that. In the southeastern Choctaw Nation was a storehouse/trading post named Skelton's Depot which, I believe, was on the road from Layneport AR to Doaksville, Choctaw Nation.

Ken