James Edmund Bailey (August 15, 1822 – December 29, 1885) was an American Democratic United States Senator from Tennessee from 1877 to 1881.

[1] He then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1843, starting a practice in Clarksville, Tennessee.

[1] During the Civil War, he served in the 49th Tennessee Regiment, Confederate States Army as a colonel.

[1] Bailey was elected by the Tennessee General Assembly as a Democrat to the balance of the unexpired term of the late Andrew Johnson, serving from January 19, 1877, to March 4, 1881.

His efforts to effect his reelection were unsuccessful, and upon the expiry of his term he returned to the practice of law in Clarksville.