James Henson was a free African American laborer who was born in Canada West. He enlisted in the First Michigan Colored Infantry Regiment on October 22, 1863 in Detroit, Michigan, making him one of the first men to enlist in the regiment. His enlistment papers noted that he was 18 years of age. The day after his enlistment he was mustered in as a private in Company A.

 

        According to Private Henson’s Military Service Record, between  February and August 1864 he was present for duty.

 

        Henson was court martialed in October of 1864 for the charges of sleeping on post, petit larceny, and being absent without leave. Henson was caught sleeping on the post around September 2, 1864, between the hours of 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. Around September 9, 1864, between the hours of 11 p.m. and 12 p.m., Henson was caught stealing a small chicken. Lastly, Henson was not present around September 10, 1864, between the hours of 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., for his company inspection.

 

        His court martial was held in Beaufort, South Carolina and he was found guilty on all three charges.  Private Henson was then sentenced to hard labor in confinement at Fort Marion, St. Augustine, Florida for the unexpired part of his term. He was also fined $10.00 per month  for the period of his confinement. The amount was taken from his pay.

 

        Henson was mustered-out of the 102nd USCT in Charleston, South Carolina on September 30, 1865. Shortly after on October 17, 1865, Henson was admitted to Harper General Hospital in Detroit, Michigan with a diagnosis of intermittent fever. He was released on October 21, 1865. Unfortunately, his life after his military service is largely unknown.