Abram J. Buckles

{{Infobox military person

| name = Abraham Jay Buckles

| birth_date = {{birth date|1846|08|02}}

| death_date = {{death date and age|1915|01|19|1846|08|02}}

| birth_place = Muncie, Indiana, U.S.

| death_place = San Bernardino County, California, U.S.

| placeofburial = Suisun-Fairfield Cemetery

| placeofburial_label = Place of burial

| image = File:Abram J. Buckles (Cropped).jpg

| signature =

| caption =

| nickname =

| allegiance = United States
Union

| branch = United States Army
Union Army

| serviceyears = 1862–1865

| rank = 35px Second Lieutenant

| commands =

| unit = {{flagicon|Indiana}} 19th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry - Company E

| battles = American Civil War

| awards = Medal of Honor

| laterwork = Lawyer, teacher and judge

}}

Abraham Jay Buckles (August 2, 1846 – January 19, 1915) was an American soldier and jurist. Born near Muncie, Indiana, on August 2, 1846, to Thomas and Rebecca (Graham) Buckles,Alan D. Gaff, On Many a Bloody Field: Four Years in the Iron Brigade, Indiana University Press, 1999, p.13 his first name was often abbreviated as "Abram". Buckles was largely self-educated, and was known for his heroism during the American Civil War and his years of service on the California bench.Abraham J. Buckles, California Courts, http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/courtsofappeal/3rdDistrict/justices_former/buckles.htm

On December 15, 1865, he married Louiza/Louisa Conn."Delaware County," Conn Indiana Marriages, http://userpages.monmouth.com/~raryan/indconn.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118101929/http://userpages.monmouth.com/~raryan/indconn.htm |date=2010-11-18 }} Together, they had two daughters, Addie Jessie and Lola B.Tom Gregory, History of Solano and Napa Counties (1912) p. 334.

Civil War

In 1862, Buckles joined Company E, 19th Indiana Infantry, which was to become part of the "Iron Brigade," First Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac, even though he was only 15 years old.J.H. Stine, History of the Army of the Potomac, Philadelphia, PA: Rodgers Printing, 1892, p. 722, Buckles was wounded by bullets four times during the Civil War: at the Second Battle of Bull Run (thigh); Gettysburg (right shoulder); the Wilderness (body); and the Battle of Hatcher's Run (knee).The Union Guards, 1861-1865, That Was Then..., available online at: http://www.unionguards.org/guards/pubdocs/history-then.pdfTom Gregory, History of Solano and Napa Counties (1912), p. 334. His right leg was amputated after being shot through the knee at Hatcher's Run, and was discharged from service just 15 days before Lee's surrender. By that time, Buckles was a Second Lieutenant in the 20th Regiment Indiana Infantry (Reorganized).

Buckles left the Army in May 1865 as a 19-year-old man and returned to Indiana.25 Stats 938 (1888)Tom Gregory, History of Solano and Napa Counties (1912), p.334 He was later awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of the Wilderness.Home of the Heroes, http://www.homeofheroes.com/gravesites/states/pages_af/buckles_abram_ca.html

Citation

Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company E, 19th Indiana Infantry. Place and date: At Wilderness, Va., 5 May 1864. Entered service at: Muncie, Ind. Birth: Delaware County, Ind. Date of issue: 4 December 1893. Citation: Though suffering from an open wound, carried the regimental colors until again wounded.{{Cite web |url=http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwaral.html |title=Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients - (A-L) |access-date=2011-05-16 |archive-date=2008-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310030903/http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/civwaral.html |url-status=dead }}

Judge Buckles

After his discharge, Buckles became a teacher while he read the law. He was admitted to the Indiana bar, but then moved his family to Dixon, California in 1875. There, he began his legal career. In 1879, he was elected District Attorney of Solano County,District Attorneys of Solano County, http://www.co.solano.ca.us/depts/da/district_attorneys_of_solano_county.asp a position he retained until 1884, when he became Judge of the Superior Court of Solano County. Governor George Pardee named Buckles to the newly created Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District, in April 1905. Buckles lost the partisan nomination for election to the appellate court in 1906,Bassford v. Earl (1912) 162 Cal. 115. and left office upon the expiration of his term in 1907. He returned to practice in Fairfield, and in 1908 returned to the bench of the Superior Court of Solano County, where he served for the remainder of his life.Abraham J. Buckles, http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/courtsofappeal/3rdDistrict/justices_former/buckles.htm

Buckles was actively involved in civic and fraternal organizations. He was elected commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of California"A Reward of Merit" Los Angeles Times, December 16, 1893, p.11. and served as Past Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias in California."Veteran Jurist Passes Beyond," Los Angeles Times, January 20, 1915, p. II8