USS Marmora's James Stoddard-- Part 3: Promoted to Acting Master's Mate

The commander of the USS Marmora wrote that the gun the three men were using was  severely damaged in the fighting, "to the bravery of that guns crew may be attributed the change of fortune that day ... I would mot respectfully solicit in their behalf that you would confer a medal of honor on the following men, James Stoddard, Bartlett Laffey and William J. Franks."

James Stoddard received a shot through his neck in the battle but was slowly recovering.

On April 16, 1864, Stoddard was awarded the Medal of Honor, as were the other two sailors.  On may 8, 1864, James Stoddard was promoted to Acting Master's mate.  In accepting the promotion, Stoddard  documented that he was a citizen of Canada.

Stoddard continued to serve as an officer on the USS Marmora until late 1864 when he was transferred to the USS  Choctow, another steamer in the Mississip Squadron and served through 1865.  He was discharged from the Navy on May 20, 1865, near New Orleans, Louisiana,  (well beyond his one year's enlistment).

There are no records of him after the war so it is not known if he returned to Canada.

--Old B-R'er