James (not Samuel as in Orton, p. 835) D. Barnes was enlisted by Captain George Washington Ousley and mustered into Company B, First Battalion of Mountaineers, California Volunteers, by Captain Hugh Brady Fleming , Ninth Regiment of Infantry, U. S. Army, at Arcata, Humboldt County, California, April 15, 1863. The First Battalion of Mountaineers (Infantry), California Volunteers, was raised during the year 1863 for service against Indians in Humboldt County and in the northwestern portions of California. At his enlistment James stated that he was born in Vigo County, Indiana, and he was 41 years old and by occupation was a Laborer. His enlistment contract described him as being 5 feet 11½ inches, with Dark complexion, Hazel eyes and Dark hair. Private Barnes was appointed Corporal May 29, 1863. During July, 1863, Corporal Barnes was absent from his company, which was stationed at Fort Gaston, Humboldt County, as escort for a Government pack train. During August, 1863, he was absent from his company on detached duty at Arcata. Corporal Barnes was last paid by Major Samuel Woods on August 31, 1863. From September 1, 1863, to April, 1864, he was absent from his company on detached duty at Camp Curtis, Humboldt County. Corporal Barnes, while in charge of a Government pack train, died from the result of gun shot wounds received from Indians at Boynton’s Prairie, located east of Eureka in Humboldt County, on the same day that he was wounded, May 6, 1864. The Final Statement for Corporal Barnes was prepared and signed by Captain Thomas Buckley, Company C, Sixth Regiment of Infantry, California Volunteers, at “Camp at Boynton’s Prairie” May 8, 1864. (Barnes Compiled Military Service Record, NARA; Orton, pp. 835, 872)

Burke County, North Carolina, has been mentioned, without a citation, as the place of birth for James D. Barnes.

James was married 3 times. His first two marriages are unknown.
His 3rd marriage was to Eliza Lownes from Pennsylvania; the wedding taking place in Carthage, Hancock, Illinois.. They had seven children. After James died she returned to Pennsylvania and apparently married a man named Smith. Eliza L. Barnes filed for a widow's pension September 9, 1867, and received application No. 159,099; a record that this application was certified is not extant may be due to the fact that Eliza died soon after filing for a pension or that her application was denied, possibly due to her re-marrying. A guardian filed for a pension for pension for the minor child(ren) of the late Corporal Barnes October 21, 1868.