James T. Lewis was born on December 27, 1838. He was a Corporal in Company I, the Stephens Light Guards, of the 8th Georgia Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded in the left hand at the Battle of First Manassas, July 21, 1861.

He was present at the surrender with the 8th Georgia and the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox on April 9, 1865. His rank was 2nd Corporal at the surrender.

Below is an image of the 1859 model Sharps rifle or carbine, serial # 32334, that he carried during the War, and brought home with him. It is not known how he obtained the weapon. The rifle is now located at the University of Georgia Archives. During the Petersburg campaign in 1864, weapons were inventoried and there were only 3 Sharps rifles in Lewis' unit [8th Georgia].

He married Amanda Jane Bustin on Nov. 11, 1868. She died on July 19, 1916. James Lewis died on October 12, 1921, and is buried in Eatonton, Georgia.