THE ELISHA K. JAMES WEBSITE

ELISHA K. JAMES AND HIS DESCENDANTS,

INCLUDING ELIJAH JAMES, 1ST LIEUTENANT -FIRST BATTALION, SIX MONTHS ARKANSAS INFANTRY, COMPANY C, U.S. 1862

PUBLISHED BY JOSEPH PHILIP JAMES, NEWPORT, ARKANSAS

This page is dedicated to the memory of my great-great-great grandfather, Elisha K. James; his son, my great-great grandfather, Elijah James, and all other members of the ill-fated 1st Batallion 6 months Arkansas Infantry. I am seeking information on this battalion, and would also like to hear from any descendants of solidiers who served in this outfit.

Thomas Jefferson James, son of Elijah James, 1st Arkansas Battalion

FIDDLER'S GREEN

Halfway down the trail to Hell In a shady meadow green Are the Souls of all dead Troopers camped Near a good old-time canteen, And this eternal resting place is know as Fiddlers' Green

Marching past straight through to Hell The Infantry are seen Accompanied by the Engineers, Artillery and Marines, For none but the shades of Cavalrymen Dismount at Fiddlers' Green

Though some go curving down the trail To seek a warmer scene, No Trooper ever gets to Hell Ere he's emptied his canteen. And so rides back to drink again With friends at Fiddlers' Green

And so when man and horse go down Beneath a sabre keen, Or on roaring charge of fierce melee You stop a bullet clean. And the hostiles come to get your scalp Just empty your canteen, And put your pistol to your head And go to Fiddlers' Green.