Enlisted CSA Tenth Florida Infantry, September 17, 1861 at Fernandina, Florida. He was reduced May 12, 1862 and deserted to the U.S. May. He told U.S authorities that he was on board a train from Camp Finegan and when it stopped at Lake City, Florida, he, his brother Robinson and sixty or seventy men of the 10th Florida jumped the train and ran into the woods. Isham served with Captain Jernigan's Company during the 1852 Seminole Indian War. Isham's widow (Mary Vinzant) received a pension for his army service during the indian wars (Pension # WC6992).
1870 Census - Hernando County, Florida - Occupation, Cedar Chopper. Had property with a value of $500.001880 Census - Camdin, Georgia
Could not read or write. James' family were from North Carolina