James took the Freeman's Oath in Georgia on Sept. 5, 1843. He was listed on the rolls of the Georgia militia (5th Battalion, llth Regiment) beginning in 1838 (as a minor equipped by E. White) - In 1839 he was elected corporal, then sergeant and in 1840-1843 he served as 1st lieutenant. The regiment was ordered to gather on the 1st Thursday of June, 1844 at 1 p.m. for the purpose of electing a first lieutenant to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of James S. White.