James Gammons Slave Soldier Of 1812.

James Gammons, enlisted as a private soldier in the eleventh regiment of infantry of the United States on June 18, 1812. James Gammons was a slave and owned by Archibald Jackson, who never consented to the enlistment but permitted him to remain in the service. James enlisted for five years, and continued in the service from the time of his enlistment till February 19, 1813, when “he died in the service of the United States.”

The law states, “the heirs and representatives of non-commissioned officers or soldiers who enlisted for five years, and who died in the service of the United States, three months’ extra pay and one hundred and sixty acres of land.”

Archibald Jackson wrote to the War Department for the three months ( $37.42 ) pay which was paid, but would not give him the land warrant. It was the view of the War Department that as James Gammons was a slave he was not entitle to a land warrant. It was later in Committee that it was argued that Gammons had fought for this country and as he give his life for it, he was entitle to the warrant, and order that a Bill be printed and sent to Congress.

H. R. 261.
JANUARY 18, 1832
Mr. MARSHALL, from the Committee on Private Land Claims, reported. the following bill:

A BILL

To authorize the issuing a warrant to Archibald Jackson, for the bounty land due to James Gammons, a soldier in the late war.

Be it enacted by the Snate and House of Representatives of the United Stale8 of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of War cause to be issued to Archibald Jackson, a warrant for bounty land due to his slave James Gammons, who enlisted and served as a private soldier in the eleventh regiment of infantry in the army of the United States, in the late war between the United States and Great Britain; to be located as other military bounty land for services in said war rendered at the same time is directed to be located.

On further research it was found this Bill had two readings and it was asked if there was to be third?, it was answered a negative, the Bill was rejected on Feb. 21, 1832.