James Raymond Hudson was born in Pulaski County, Virginia on June 14, 1840. James and two brothers, John Rice and George Robert, served with Company E, 24th Virginia Infantry, the regiment originally organized by Jubal A. Early. The 24th Virginia became part of Kemper's Brigade, Pickett's Division. Two other Hudson brothers, Isaac and William, served with the 45th Virginia Infantry.
James was wounded in the Battle of Seven Pines, at Gettysburg during Pickett's Charge, and at Drewry's Bluff where he and his brother John were seriously wounded and brother George was killed. James was reported as mortally wounded but he declared that he was not going to die but would live to fight another day. After four months on wounded furlough, he returned to his command in early September 1864 where he remained until the closing days of the war. On rejoining the regiment near Chester Station, James wrote home that there was little to do and little to eat. He stated that Confederate and Union pickets opposing each other on the Howlett Line had an informal agreement not to fire on each other, a situation that annoyed their senior officers. James reported that General Pickett sent orders every few days for the men to start firing on the Yankee lines, but his orders were ignored.
Pickett's Division was withdrawn from the Howlett Line in March 1865 and sent to the right flank of the army where it fought in the Battles of Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, and Sailor's Creek. James Hudson was captured at Sailor's Creek on April 6, 1865. He was sent to prison at Point Lookout, Maryland, where he remained until paroled on June 27, 1865. He returned to Pulaski County, Virginia, where he farmed until his death on July 22, 1913.
James Raymond Hudson 1860
James Raymond Hudson 1903
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The following information on James Raymond Hudson was provided by his Great-grandson:R.W.Tatum
I wish to thank R.W.Tatum for the photos and information about his Great-Grandfather.I am very gratefull for any Biographies of the brave men who served in the 24th.
