From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)

James Sutton was born a slave in Anderson County about 1841. He remained a slave into adulthood; President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation only freed slaves in states openly hostile toward the Union. Late in the war, however, the government called for the called for the enlistment of colored regiments, and all who answered the call were granted immediate freedom. In great numbers, slaves threw down the tools of forced labor, and walked away from the fields to the nearest enlistment point. 

Sutton made his way to Camp Nelson to enlist, and on October 18, 1864 was enrolled as a private in Company D of the 6th U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment. At that time, he testified he was born in Anderson County about 1841.

In December 1864, now with James Sutton among them, the troops of the 6th Colored Cavalry Regiment were on a campaign in southwestern Virginia under the command of General George Stoneman on his 1864 Raid; on December 17-18, 1864 they were  engaged at the Battle of Marion when the Confederate lead mines were captured, and also involved  on the 20-21 when the Federals captured and destroyed the salt works after the 2nd Battle of Saltville.

After returning from Stoneman's Campaign, the regiment was detailed at various posts throughout Kentucky, seeing duty at Camp Nelson, Paducah, Camp WildCat (Laurel County), Danville, New Haven, Catlettsburg, Covington, and Louisville.

On December 6 the regiment was transferred to duty in Arkansas, where it was posted at Helena and DuVall's.

After the war James returned to Anderson County, but it was necessary to maintain a military presence in the local area, and so a militia was enrolled and active between 1865 and 1869. According to the Anderson County Clerk's Office, James Sutton was a member of that militia.