Image shows Colonel Forman standing with his arms crossed over his chest. The image is from life but the negative was heavily retouched by the photographer. Forman wears a dark double-breasted frock coat with Colonels shoulder straps. The image is clear with good contrast. Across the bottom of the mount is a very nice period pencil inscription that reads “COL. JAMES B. FORMAN 15^th KY.” Reverse has another period pencil inscription in the same hand that reads “KILLED AT THE BATTLE OF MURFREESBORO-AGE 19 YEARS.” There is also some collector information in pencil across the top. There is no photographer’s imprint.

The following obituary, which appeared in a Kentucky newspaper at the time of the Colonel’s death, tells his story better than anything this writer could put together

“THE LATE COL. FORMAN -- Among those noble spirits who sealed their patriotism with their life's blood upon the battlefield at Murfreesboro, none will be more sincerely lamented than the youthful Col. James B. Forman, of the Fifteenth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers.  At the outbreak of this unhappy war Colonel Forman, though but a youth, having just attained his twentieth year at the time of his death, formed a very decided opinion in regard to the causes and probable results of the secession movement.  When Kentucky took her position in favor of sustaining the Government, he entered the army as a second lieutenant in the Fifteenth Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, then about being raised by the late Colonel Curran Pope.  From this position he was shortly promoted to a first lieutenancy, and afterwards, by the death of Captain McClure, he assumed, by regular promotion, the command of his company.  In this capacity he won the love of his men by his generous conduct on all occasions, and challenged the admiration of the entire regiment; by his display of military knowledge and great personal bravery.  At the battle of Chaplin Hills he gained great applause, his deeds of noble daring being the theme of praise among all those who witnessed the desperate fighting of the then untried but now war-worn and glory-covered regiment to which he was attached.  The regimental flag was on that occasion rescued by Capt. Forman after it had been shot down time and time again, and was by him borne aloft in proud defiance of the storm of shot and shell that was being mercilessly poured upon that devoted (it almost seemed doomed) regiment by the enemy.  That flag, all riddled as it is, will be duly presented to the State of Kentucky as a worthy memento of the bravery of her sons.  After the death of Col. Pope, and his assistant field officer, Capt. Forman was commissioned Colonel of the regiment, in acknowledgement of his eminent services and superior abilities.  With high hopes and such ardor as only a man of noble impulses and conscious rectitude can feel, he entered upon the discharge of his duties, fully sensible of the responsibilities of his position and anxious to discharge them in such a manner as would best promote the interest of the cause he had so heartily espoused.  He has done all that could be done -- he has sacrificed his life upon his country's altar -- he has fought his last fight, and now sleeps "the sleep that knows no waking," but his name and memory will be cherished.”   [ad]

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