Born in Pennsylvania in 1841, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for service in the Civil War while serving with Company A, 140th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 1863. The Medal was actually issued to him on October 30, 1896.
He died on May 10, 1915 and was buried in Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Mary Witherow Purman (1840-1909), is buried with him.
At Gettysburg, on July 2, 1863 the 140th Pennsylvania was assigned to the 3rd Brigade of the 2nd division of the 2nd Army Corps. Lieutenant James Jackson Purman and James Milton Pipes were part of the 140th Pennsylvania, and both were awarded the Medal of Honor for their heroism at Gettysburg.
PURMAN, JAMES J.
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, Company A, 140th Pennsylvania Infantry. Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 2 July 1863. Entered service at: Greene County, Pnnsylvania. Birth: ——. Dare of issue: 30 October 1896.
Citation:
Voluntarily assisted a wounded comrade to a place of apparent safety while the enemy were in close proximity; he received the fire of the enemy and a wound
which resulted in the amputation of his left leg.
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard