Compiled by: Johnny L.T.N. Potter
Captain DeVaney enlisted in Company H (called the lost company) of the 1st Alabama Cavalry, USA on April 1, 1865 for three years. He had first enlisted in Co. G, 50th Inft. IL Cavalry, Col. M.M. Bain Commanding.
According to his widow's claim for pension, Phebe C. Steffen made the following statements.
"I will write a few lines to inform you of the services of James W. DeVaney. We were married near Bernadotte, Fulton Co. Ill Nov 24th 1860 on the 12th day of Sept 1861 he enlisted at Bernadotte In Co G 50th Regt Inft Ills Vol Col M.M. Bain Com Regt said James W. DeVaney was 4th Sergeant until the 4th day of March 1863 he was made 1st Sergeant until the 19th day of May 1864 he was Sergeant Major of the 50th Regt of Ills Vols.
On the 29th of December 1863 he was discharged at Springfield Ills by reason of re-enlistment as a veteran volunteer. Was sent home with Jacob Fleming to recruit for the Regt they got (9) nine recruits (8) eight new ones and a veteran. They reported to Capt G.S. Fairwell of the 28th Ills Vols at Macomb Ills. Then about Sept 1864 he was discharged to raise a Co for the 1st Alabama Cav was made Capt of Co. H, 1st Ala. Cav was left at Huntsville, Ala until was discharged from the service of the United States the 20th day of October 1865 at Huntsville, Ala. Said James W. DeVaney was born Ross Co Ohio April 29th day of October 1840 was five feet nine inches high Dark complexion Hazel eyes Black hair by occupation a farmer and school teacher him nor I ever applied for a pension except me one time when so many was getting I thought I had four small children make I could get-one but when I said he was killed by accident that was all. Said James W. DeVaney was at Ft Henry, Ft. Donalson, Shiloh both days had a wounded man shot of his shoulder he was carrying off the battle field. Then he was on the advance on Corinth 28 days in second battle of Corinth he was sunstruck there so he never could work in the hot sun after he came home Georgia and other places got home Nov 2nd 1865 at Vermont Ills then in the Spring of 1868 we came To Woodson Co Kansas settled on a homestead in 1870 the 17th of Nov he with a party of thirteen more went on a buffalo hunt where he was shot by accidently never got him home I never seen him in June 16, 1874 I married Charles Steffen of Co G 5th Kansas Vol Cav lived with him until death July 24, 1910.
Subscribed and Sworn Phebe C. Steffen
Before me this 16th day of Feb. A.D. 1911, M.E. Payne Notary Public
My Com. ex. Jany. 27th 1914.
Service records compiled by Glenda Todd and used with her permission. This and other information about the history of the First and the men who fought with the unit
can be found in her book, First Alabama Cavalry, USA: Homage to Patriotism.