Little remains to shed light on the life of James Atchison. It is believed that he was born in Tennessee about 1829. Later he made his way to Watsonville; however, the period of his arrival is unknown.

Enlistment records indicate that James Atchison, age thirty nine, enrolled in Company A of the 8th California Infantry, in Watsonville on November 12, 1864. He enlisted just prior to the company's departure for Fort Point in San Francisco on November 15 and trained with them only until January 1865. During the period of his encampment at Fort Point, the facility was described as being cold, damp and unsanitary, which may have contributed to his medical condition.

On January 5, 1865, James Atchison died of an undescribed illness or condition. His body was not returned to Watsonville and was likely buried at the Presidio cemetery in San Francisco.

(CMWR, pg. 800; SCSn November 12, 1972)