| Name |
Thomas Jordan |
| Unit of Confederate Service |
Field & Staff, General P.G.T. Beauregard's Staff |
| Birth |
30 Sep 1819, Luray, Valley, Shenandoah (Page) Co., Va. |
| Death |
27 Nov 1895, New York City, N.Y. |
| Burial |
New York City |
| Occupation |
SEE BELOW |
| Father |
Gabriel Jordan |
| Mother |
Elizabeth Ann Sibert |
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SYNOPISIS OF GENERAL JORDAN's LIFE:
Brigadier General Thomas Jordan was born in Luray Valley, Va., September 30, 1819. He was graduated at the United States military academy in 1840, and entered the active service as second lieutenant of the Third infantry, in garrison at Fort Snelling, Minn. Taking part in the Seminole Indian war, he was among those who surprised and captured the chief, "Tiger Tail," near Cedar Keys, in November, 1842. Subsequently he served on frontier duty until 1846, when he was promoted first lieutenant. In the Mexican war he served creditably at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and being promoted captain and quartermaster in 1847, he remained at Vera Cruz for a year after the war. His services from that time, in the United States army, were rendered in the Southern garrisons and on the Pacific coast. May 21, 1861, he resigned and was commissioned captain, corps of infantry, C.S.A. He was with the forces first collected at Manassas Junction as lieutenant colonel and staff officer, and when Beauregard took command there he was promoted colonel and made chief of staff and adjutant-general of that army. During the battle of July 21st he was intrusted with the important duty of directing from the rear the disposition of reinforcements, and after the fight he accompanied President Davis to the field. His assistance in the organization of the forces there was gratefully acknowledged by Beauregard, whom he subsequently accompanied to the west. He inspected the forces at Columbus, Ky., and advised their withdrawal, and during the advance from Corinth rendered important service in the preparation for the battle of Shiloh. In this famous conflict he was very active along the line, giving orders as occasion required in the name of General Johnston, and at one time having with him and under his direction the chiefs of staff of the different corps commanders. For his invaluable services on this field he was promoted brigadier-general, April 14, 1862. Subsequently he served as chief of staff with General Bragg until after the Kentucky campaign. When Beauregard was called to the defense of Charleston, he joined his old commander as chief of staff of that department. In May, 1864, he was assigned to the command of the Third military district of South Carolina. After the restoration of peace in the United States, General Jordan became chief of the general staff of the Cuban insurgent army. In May, 1869, he landed at Mayri with 300 men, and ammunition and supplies for 6,000, and in December of the same year succeeded to the chief command of the army of independence. He gained a signal victory over superior forces of the enemy at Guaimaro in January, 1870, but on account of a want of supplies he soon resigned and returned to the United States. Of recent years he has resided at New York, and edited the Mining Journal. In 1868 he published, in association with J. B. Pryor, a valuable work on "The Campaigns of Lieutenant-General Forrest," and his minor contributions to Confederate history have been numerous and interesting.
Source: Evans, Clement, Confederate Military History, Volume III, Confederate Publishing Company, Atlanta, GA, 1899.
NOTE: BROTHER OF Macon & Francis Hubert Jordan.
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