James Henry Gooding facts for kids

James Henry Gooding (born August 28, 1838 – died July 19, 1864) was a brave soldier during the American Civil War. He was a Corporal in the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. This was a special Union army group. Gooding also wrote for the Mercury newspaper in New Bedford, MA. He shared important stories from the war.

Early Life and Education

James Henry Gooding was born in North Carolina on August 28, 1838. He was born into slavery. When he was very young, his freedom was bought. A man named James M. Gooding bought his freedom. This man might have been his father. James was then sent to New York City.

In 1846, James started school at the New York Colored Orphan's Asylum. This was an important school and home. It was mostly run by Quaker women. At this school, James got a great education. He became a very good writer. This skill helped him throughout his life.

From 1850 to 1852, he worked for a man named Albert Westlake. As he grew older, James decided to keep his past a secret. He told people he was born free in Troy, New York. In 1856, at age 18, he started working on a whaling ship. This ship sailed from New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Life at Sea

Whaling was one of the few jobs where Black men could work. They could earn the same pay as white workers. James often wrote poems about his life on whaling ships. He earned about $20 a month. This was a good salary, like an officer's pay.

In late 1862, James stopped whaling. He settled down in New Bedford. He married Ellen Allen at the Seamen's Bethel. This was a well-known church in the city.

Fighting for Freedom

Just six days before James got married, President Abraham Lincoln made a big announcement. It was about the Emancipation Proclamation. This important order took effect on January 1, 1863. It allowed African Americans to join the Union army.

On February 10, 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry opened a recruiting office. It was in New Bedford. James Gooding joined Company C on February 14.

The Fight for Equal Pay

In September 1863, James Gooding wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln. He was tired of being paid only $10 a month. White soldiers earned $13 a month. James had earned $20 a month on his last whaling trip. He demanded equal pay for his service.

James was a respected soldier. He was promoted to Corporal in December 1863. He fought bravely with his regiment. He was part of the attack on Fort Wagner in Charleston Harbor. This battle happened on July 18, 1863.

He also fought in the Battle of Olustee, Florida. This was on February 20, 1864. James was shot in this battle. Everyone thought he had died. His commander even told the Mercury newspaper he was killed. His wife applied for a pension.

However, James was not dead. He was wounded in the thigh. He was taken to Andersonville prison in March 1864. He died there as a prisoner of war on July 19, 1864. He is buried in grave 3,585 at Andersonville National Cemetery. James did not know that Congress had passed a law in June 1864. This law finally gave equal pay to African American soldiers.