CSA Bios: Harrison Brothers

[Battleline]

Brig. Gen. Thomas Harrison (b. 1823, d. 1891) The younger of the Harrison brothers, who both served as generals in the Confederacy, Thomas Harrison was born in Jefferson County, Alabama, May 1, 1823. Raised in Monroe County, Mississippi, Harrison moved to Brazoria County, Texas, in 1843. There, he studied law. Returning to Mississippi, Harrison had his first military experience as a member of Jefferson Davis’ First Mississippi Rifles in the Mexican War. He moved to Houston after the war and represented Harris County in the Texas legislature before moving to Waco, Texas. At the start of the war, Harrison was a captain of volunteer militia in the western part of the state before joining Confederate service with his company as part of the Eighth Texas Cavalry, “Terry’s Texas Rangers.” Harrison’s unit was brought in as replacements for men lost during a measles epidemic. Harrison was promoted to colonel of the Eighth Texas Cavalry Nov. 8, 1862. The unit fought with the Army of Tennessee, frequently as part of Gen. Wheeler’s Cavalry Corps. Harrison commanded this regiment at Murfreesboro (Stones River) Dec. 31, 1862-Jan. 3, 1863, Chickamauga Sept. 19-20, 1863, Chattanooga November 1863, Knoxville November-December 1863, Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign in 1864 and in opposition to Sherman’s March to the Sea. After Savannah, Georgia, was lost to the Federal troops, Harrison was promoted to brigadier general Jan. 14, 1865, and given command of the Eighth and 11th Texas, the Fourth Tennessee, Third Arkansas and First Kentucky cavalry regiments. The command later was absorbed into Gen. Hampton’s command. After the war, Harrison returned to Waco, where he was elected a district judge. He served as a Democratic Party presidential elector in 1872. He died July 14, 1891, in Waco, Texas.

Brig. Gen. James E. Harrison (b. 1815, d. 1875) While his younger brother, Thomas Harrison, served as a cavalry general, James Edward Harrison made his Confederate military career with the infantry. Born April 24, 1815, in Greenville District, South Carolina, Harrison moved with his family first to Alabama and then to Mississippi. While in Mississippi, Harrison served two terms in the state senate. Harrison relocated to Waco, Texas, in 1857. In 1861, he was named the state’s Indian commissioner. With war on the horizon, Harrison was a member of the Texas secession convention. At the start of the war, Harrison joined the 15th Texas Infantry regiment as a lieutenant colonel, which fought in action west of the Mississippi River. After a number of minor operations, Harrison’s regiment served under Gen. Thomas Green in campaigns in Louisiana in 1863 and 1864. The 15th Texas made a successful charge against the Federal rear along the Atchafalaya River in September of 1863. Praised by his commanding generals, Richard Taylor and Thomas Green. After Green was killed in a charge against Admiral David Porter’s grounded gunboats at Blair’s Landing (Pleasant Hill Landing), Louisiana, April 12, 1864, Harrison was promoted and eventually was given brigadier general’s status to rank from Dec. 22, 1864. His command consisted of the 15th, 17th and 31st Texas infantry regiments and the 22nd Texas Cavalry, dismounted and was assigned to the division of Gen. Camille de Polignac. At the close of the war, the brigade voted to resist surrender at a camp meeting in May of 1865. Surrender did come from Harrison’s superior, Gen. E. Kirby Smith. Harrison returned to Waco after the war. He became a prominent member of the community and a trustee of Baylor University. He died Feb. 23, 1875, and was buried in Waco.

[Gil R.]

Copied, thanks.