Sutton, James "Alabama Jim"

SUTTON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/7/2008 at 15:13:19

Jackson Sentinel
Centennial Edition, 1938

James Sutton Was Both “Reb” and “Yank” in Civil War

James Sutton, known to his friends as “Alabama Jim,” has the distinction not only of being the only Civil war veteran living in Jackson county, but he was one of the few soldiers who fought for both the North and the South in the conflict of 1861 to 1864. After having been a “Reb” for nine months, he deserted and became a “Yank.”

Born in Alabama on March 7, 1843, Mr. Sutton is now 95 years old and is thought to be the oldest living man in Maquoketa if not in Jackson county.

When he was 13 years old, “Alabam” was bound out to the Jacob Cannamore family who were southern people but believed in the Union and opposed secession. In spite of the fact that he favored the new president, Abe Lincoln, he was conscripted into service in the Confederate army at Mobile, Alabama, and was assigned to the 48th Alabama Cavalry.

After several months, however, he had an opportunity to desert the rebel army and did so disguised as a woman. For some time he hid in the woods, waiting for the Union army to come into that territory, and during this time members of the Cannamore family for whom he had worked, often brought him food.

As soon as the Union got control of the railroad in the neighborhood where he was hiding, “Alabam” joined Yankee soldiers, becoming a member of the 12th Tennessee Cavalry. He also played in the company band, being the second chief bugler.

After the war “Alabam” knew he would not be welcome in the south so he decided to come north with one of his soldier companions, Eli Moody, who lived near Esgate, in Jackson county, Iowa. He worked on farms in that community and finally married an Esgate girl, Miss Ann Flynn. He continued to have farming as his occupation until he retired and moved to Maquoketa, where he now makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Lillie Wilcox.

A member of the A. W. Drips post of Grand Army of the Republic, Mr. Sutton used to enjoy himself at post meetings by reminding the others how “We sure beat you Yanks at Bull run,” and then, just as the other veterans were about to become angry with him, he would change his position and begin talking about the glorious Northern victories in which he had fought with other post members. “I guess we made those Rebs run, all right!” he would exclaim.

Now the only living member of the G. A. R. post, “Alabam” remembers fondly his days in the Union army.

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