Thank you for your very fast information on Pvt. James Melody.
Coupleof things that I have found out is that he was born on 14 Feb. 1840 in Tuam Graney, County Clair, Kingdom of Ireland. Seems his enlistment age was incorrect
being stated as 19 years 8 months. This mistake would be later questioned on 20 January 1906 when he applied for an increase in his pension.

Battles, he claimed on one of his pension requests that he had been subjected to extreme weather and had contacted a lung disease and other disabilities. James states
that he fought against General Hood at a place called Franklin, Tenn.?

The Census that you have provided is very interesting.... seems that we may have two James Melody's. My one was married
in Carroll Parish, Louisanna on August 12,1872. A document that he swore, stated that he returned to Hamilton, Ontario with his
wife in 1877 with a son born in Louisanna on 3rd. Feb. 1874. He had six more children born between 1879 and 1890 all in Hamilton.

Melody is not a common name and is very hard to trace...... so I am wondering at the connection.

Best regards

Aidan