James B. Golden was a resident of Hartford on September 2, 1862 when he enlisted as a Private in Co. E of the 7th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry; he transferred to Co. K on March 1, 1863 and was mustered out September 30, 1863. He was a resident of Mansfield on October 9, 1863 when he enlisted as a private in Co. E of the 6th Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry and he deserted on November 9, 1864.

He was not living in Mansfield in the 1860 U.S. census; no further information is known.