James S. Hummer

James S. Hummer
7-16-1849 (NJ) to 1-18-1908 (Superior,WI)

My Great Great Grandfather, Pvt James S. Hummer enlisted in the Civil War at age 13 years 49 days. He and his uncle, William Hummer, enlisted in the 31st regiment of the New Jersey Volunteers in Hunterdon County on 9-3-62. James was assigned to company K and Willam was assigned to company D. The companies enlisted, mustered in, travelled and mustered out together. They mustered in on 9-17-62. On 6-24-63 in Flemington, NJ, they mustered out and went home. I found this information in the Largo, FL library in a book titled The History Of Hunterdon And Sommerset Counties. By looking at modern maps and taking into account places that I cannot find on modern maps, I estimate that they would have marched about 600 miles from home, to the battle sites, and home again. This is not counting any other walking, just point to point.

I can not remember the book where I found the following concerning the 31st Infantry Regiment and it's movements.

Organized at Flemmington, N.J., and mustered in September 17, 1862. Left State for Washington, D.C., September 26, 1862. Attached to Abercrombie's Provisional Brigade, Casey's Division, Defences of Washington, to December, 1862. Patrick's Command, Provost Guard, Army of the Potomac, to January, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to June, 1863. SERVICE.--Duty in the defences of Washington till November, 1862. Moved to Aquia Creek, Va., and duty there guarding railroad till January, 1863. Moved to Belle Plain, Va., and joined Army of the Potomac January 10, 1863. "Mud March" January 20-24. Duty at Belle Plain till April 27. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations at Pollock's, Mill Creek, April 29-May 2. Battle of Chancellorsville May 2-5. Ordered home for muster out June. Mustered out June 24, 1863. Regiment lost during service 39 Enlisted men by disease.

Read HERE about how and why James Hummer served a nine month enlistment.

Go HERE to search the New Jersey archives. Search for James or William Hummer.

I would like to thank Mark for the fine restoration work he did on the old glass picture. The above glass picture of James Hummer at age 13 in 1862 was dropped and broken into pieces several years ago. I sent it to Mark, a friend of 30 years, who painstakingly fit the pieces together, took a professional picture of it and then retouched the photograph. Of course the glass picture itself will never be quite the same, but thanks to Mark I have a picture of my Great Great Grandfather that our family can share. If you need any photo restoration work done, please contact Mark by clicking the Spectra Graphics logo. He has my highest personal recommendation.

Bill & Jackies