At the start of the Civil War, James Powell was stationed at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and went north with Captain Samuel B. Sturgis to Fort Leavenworth where he was promoted to captain. Later, he took a volunteer commission with the 26th Missouri on March 24, 1862, just as the regiment was leaving for Pittsburg Landing.
Then, he was at Fraley Field at the opening stages of the Battle of Shiloh. Later in the battle, Colonel Everett Peabody was killed and Major Powell rallied the troops near the "Sunken Road" where he was wounded in the side and taken to the rear in an ambulance where he died that night.
One of the soldiers who carried him there, Charles Morton, described Powell as a"cool headed, capable, brave officer, who endeared himself to the hearts of all during the few days he was with us."
James Powell ended up being buried in an unknown grave.
--Old Secesh
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