It would appear that the JAMES DOWNS who served in the 4th Virginia Cavalry was aka J.A. DOWNS. I find no service records for JAMES W. DOWNS.
NPS CWS&SS shows:
James Downs
Regiment Name 4th Virginia Cavalry
Side Confederate
Company H
Soldier's Rank_In Private
Soldier's Rank_Out Private
Film Number M382 roll 16
4th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry
4th Cavalry Regiment completed its organization at Sangster's Cross Roads, Prince William County, Virginia, in September, 1861. Its members were recruited in the counties of Prince William, Chesterfield, Madison, Culpeper, Powhatan, Gouchland, Hanover, Fauquier, Buckingham, and the city of Richmond. The unit was assigned to General J.E.B. Stuart's, F.Lee's, Wickham's, and Munford's Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia. It participated in the Battle of Williamsburg, the Seven Days' Battles, and the Second Manassas and Maryland campaigns. Later the unit was involved in the conflicts at Fredericksburg, Kelly's Ford, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Upperville, Gettysburg, Bristoe, Mine Run, The Wilderness, Todd's Tavern, Spotsylvania, Haw's Shop, and Bethesda Church. The 4th went on to fight in the Shenandoah Valley with Early and around Appomattox. It totalled 450 effectives in April, 1862, and lost about three percent of the 544 engaged at Gettysburg. After cutting through the Federal lines at Appomattox, it was broken up. Only 2 members were present at the surrender. The field officers were Colonels Stephen D. Lee, William H. Payne, Beverly H. Robertson, William C. Wickham, and W.B. Wooldridge; Lieutenant Colonels Charles Old and Robert Randolph; and Majors Alexander M. Hobson and Robert E. Utterback.
Also shows:
J.A. Downs
Regiment Name 4th Virginia Cavalry
Side Confederate
Company H
Soldier's Rank_In Private
Soldier's Rank_Out Private
Alternate Name James/Downs
Film Number M382 roll 16
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James Downs
Regiment Name 8 Virginia Infantry
Side Confederate
Company C
Soldier's Rank_In Private
Soldier's Rank_Out Private
Film Number M382 roll 16
8th Regiment, Virginia Infantry
8th Infantry Regiment was organized at Leesburg, Virginia, in May, 1861. Its members were recruited in the counties of Loudoun, Prince William, and Fairfax. The unit was also called "Old Bloody Eighth" and from time to time "The Berkeley Regiment" because its Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, and one Captain were four Berkeley brothers. During the war it was brigaded under Generals Cocke, Pickett, R.B. Garnett, and Hunton. It fought at First Manassas and Leesburg, and in April, 1862, it totalled 450 effectives. The 8th was involved in the campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia from Williamsburg to Gettysburg, served in the Department of Richmond, then took part in the conflicts at Drewry's Bluff and Cold Harbor. It went on to participate in the Petersburg siege north of the James River and the Appomattox Courthouse Campaign. This unit sustained 30 casualties at First Manassas, lost 8 killed and 43 wounded of the 375 engaged at Leesburg, and had 10 killed and 66 wounded during the Seven Days' Battles. Of the 193 engaged at Gettysburg about ninety percent were killed, wounded, or missing. From June 1 to December 31, 1864, it reported 53 casualties, and many were captured at Sayler's Creek. Only 1 surgeon and 11 privates surrendered on April 9, 1865. The field officers were Colonels Norborne Berkeley and Eppa Hunton, Lieutenant Colonels Edmund Berkeley and Charles B. Tebbs, and Majors William N. Berkeley and James Thrift.
Also in this unit:
Downs, Cicero [son of Robert S. & Emily Downs of Fauquier, VA]
Co C Private Private
Cicero Downs ,
Enlistment Date: 8 May 1861
Enlistment Place: Haymarket, Virginia
Side Served: Confederacy
State Served: Virginia
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 8 May 1861.
Enlisted in Company C, 8th Infantry Regiment Virginia on 8 May 1861.
Dropped from rolls Company C, 8th Infantry Regiment Virginia on 31 Dec 1863.
Sources: 21
Cicero Downs ,
Enlistment Date: 24 Dec 1863
Enlistment Place: Mount Jackson, Virginia
Side Served: Confederacy
State Served: Virginia
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 24 December 1863.
Enlisted in Company F, 35th Battn Cavalry Regiment Virginia on 24 Dec 1863.
Sources: 21
Downs, Noah [b. about 1819 and living in Loudoun, VA in 1860 census]
Co H Private Private
Noah Downs ,
Enlistment Date: 13 Jul 1861
Enlistment Place: Leesburg, Virginia
Side Served: Confederacy
State Served: Virginia
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 13 July 1861.
Enlisted in Company H, 8th Infantry Regiment Virginia on 13 Jul 1861.
Discharged from Company H, 8th Infantry Regiment Virginia on 12 Oct 1862 at Winchester, VA.
Sources: 21
Noah Downs
Side: Confederate
Regiment State/Origin: Virginia
Regiment Name: 8 Virginia Infantry
Regiment Name Expanded: 8th Regiment, Virginia Infantry
Company: H
Rank In: Private
Rank In Expanded: Private
Rank Out: Private
Rank Out Expanded: Private
Film Number: M382 roll 16
Downs, R.L.
Co D Private Private
R.L. Downs
Side: Confederate
Regiment State/Origin: Virginia
Regiment Name: 8 Virginia Infantry
Regiment Name Expanded: 8th Regiment, Virginia Infantry
Company: D
Rank In: Private
Rank In Expanded: Private
Rank Out: Private
Rank Out Expanded: Private
Film Number: M382 roll 16
Downs, William H.
Co C Private Private
William H. Downs married an Elizabeth Kelly in 1854 in Rockbridge County, Va
William H. Downs
Side: Confederate
Regiment State/Origin: Virginia
Regiment Name: 8 Virginia Infantry
Regiment Name Expanded: 8th Regiment, Virginia Infantry
Company: C
Rank In: Private
Rank In Expanded: Private
Rank Out: Private
Rank Out Expanded: Private
Film Number: M382 roll 16
1870 census shows:
William H Downs
Estimated birth year: abt 1842
Age in 1870: 28
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1870: Scott, Fauquier, Virginia
Shoe maker, married & living with wife, Alvira V., age 28
and daughters Sarah, age 6, and Ann, age 1
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