CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY:  James J. A. Barker - Cherokee County, TX

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Submitted by Mary Love Berryman - marylove@tyler.net
6 June 2002 
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson, page 187 

JAMES J. A. BARKER.

James J. A. Barker, of Rusk, came to Texas from Chambers county, 
Alabama, about the year 1856; studied law, was admitted to the bar 
and began the prac­tice of his profession at Rusk, in Cherokee county. 
He was a bright young lawyer of a high order of talent, ambitious, 
high-minded, and of noble instincts and aspirations. He was 
indus­trious and was building up a fine practice when the call to 
arms resounded through the country. He promptly quit his books and
volunteered in Co. C., Third Texas Cavalry, being mustered in the 
service as first lietenant of the command at Dallas, in June, 1861.  
He was in the battle of Oak Hill, near Springfield, Mo, on August 10, 
and a month or two later was promoted to captain.  He commanded his 
company at Elkhorn Tavern, in March, 1862, and a few weeks after­wards 
proceeded with it to Duvall's Bluff, and then to Mem­phis and to 
Corinth. At the last named place the Third Texas Cavalry was 
reorganized and its members enlisted for three years, or during the 
war, and at this time Captain Barker was promoted major of the 
regiment. On the day the Confederates evacuated Corinth the Third 
Texas Cav­alry attracted the attention of General Beauregard in a 
very gallant fight it made under Lieutenant Colonel Walter P. Lane 
and Major Barker against a much superior force.  The southern general 
complimented the regiment in a general order which was read at dress 
parade throughout the army. And here the gallant Major Barker was 
killed. At his post of duty in the prime of his young manhood fell 
one of the mot promising and one of the bravest young officers in 
the Confederate army. His men all loved him, and wept at his death.