James was 39 years old when he took five younger men and joined the 3rd Kentucky Volunteer Infantry Regiment at the beginning of the Civil War. These young men were Buford 18, John G 19, John S 19, Josiah 18 and William 19 years of age, all Cummins'. James was wounded twice, the last time causing damage to his eyes which progressively worsened, until at the time of his death he was completely blind. He fought with General Rosecrans at Stone Rive and Chickamauga. Then, under the command of General Grant, fought at Missionaary Ridge in Nov. 1863. All of the younger men were still with James, except a son, John S. Cummins, who had died. They mustered out together in Louisville on 13 Oct 1864. James was awarded a pension due to his wounds to his eyes.
James and his wife Catharine owned a large farm (approx. 1,000 acres) between Mount Vernon and Somerset. The farm was called Wabd. In 1882 James filed for an increase in his pension due to the reduction in his vision, and that it was with great difficulty he could walk or work. He did receive as requested.
In 1976, three of James' great-granddaughters walked across the land that had been his. Over a knoll and across a soft slope lay the site where the house had stood before it burned approximately 1915. It had been a good house, painted white and kept immaculate and beautiful. There had been the orchards, the vegetable gardens and flowers. And always the gentle situation of the hillside falling away to a superb view of the surrounding countryside.
The children of James and Catharine were:
John S., b 1842
William H, b 1844
Richard, b 1845
Buford Henry, b 1846
Fleming, b 1848
Mary Priscilla, b 1850
Sarah E, born 1854
Granville Mason, b 12 Oct 1855
Cassius Marcellus Clay, b 3 Apr 1859
George W. b 1862
James M. b 1865
Matthew Adam b 1868

James Clark Cummins was my great, great, greatgrand father.
Chuck Cummins

((the original administrator of the James Clark Cummins memorial was James Cope#34771747. He transferred the memorial to me around June, 2011.))