Background
Oakes, James was born on April 4, 1826 in near Limestoneville, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Samuel and Sarah (Montgomery) Oakes.
Oakes, James was born on April 4, 1826 in near Limestoneville, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Samuel and Sarah (Montgomery) Oakes.
Graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1846.
Served in Mexican War. Bvtd. First lieutenant and captain for gallantry. Afterward on frontier service.
Wounded by Indians, August 12, 1850.
First lieutenant, June 30, 1851. Captain 2d Carolina., March 3, 1855.
Major 5th Cavalry, April 6, 1861. Lieutenant colonel 4th Cavalry, November 12, 1861.
Colonel 6th Cavalry, July 31, 1866.
Declined commission of brigadier general volumes, May 17, 1861. Led regiment in Tennessee and Mississippi campaign, 1862. In mustering and recruiting service 1863.
Commanded district of Illinois, 1863-1866.
Bvtd. brigadier general United States of America, March 30, 1865. In charge, Freedman’s Bureau and commanded district of Austin, Texas, 1867-1869.
Afterward on northern frontier of Texas and in Kansas and Arizona. Retired at own request, over 30 years’ service, April 29, 1879.
Home: Washington, Distric.
Served in Mexican War.
Married Anna Maria de Beelen, November 11, 1854.