ONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY: J. M. CLAIBORNE. -  Cherokee County, TX 

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Copyright.  All rights reserved.
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Submitted by Doris Peirce - ginlu@home.com 
15 October 2001 
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson 

J. M. CLAIBORNE.

Jno. M. Claiborne, of Rusk, was reared in Bastrop county, Texas, born 
Feb. 27, 1839.  He was a son of Phil and Mary (nee Billingley) 
Claiborne, educated at the common county schools and at Baylor 
University at Independence, Washington county, Texas.  On August 5, 1861, 
was mustered into the Confederate service as a member of Company D, of 
Terry's Texas Rangers, (8th cavalry) serving as a private and adjutant.  
In 1864 Gen. Hood placed him in the secret service department during 
the memorable campaign in Tennesee.  Gen. Hood on January 2, 1865 gave 
him a release and letters to President Davis and recommended him with 
commendation for Brigadier General. Gen. Claiborne participated in his 
first battle at Mumfordville, Kentucky, where he displayed distinguished 
gallantry.  His last great battle was at Bentonville, North Carolina 
where Gen. Joe Johnston surrendered, then started to Kirby Smith in the 
Trans Mississippi department, and at Charlotte, North Carolina joined 
President Davis and Gen. Breckenridge, Secretary of War.  He was near 
Washington, Georgia when the President and party were captured only a 
few hours ride from them at the time; he then returned to Texas.  Gen. 
Claiborne gave his time on the frontier of Texas as an Indian scout.  
In the Cortena war on the Rio Grande River and in the Confederate war, 
and as a legislator, making a total of more than nine eventful years.  
Gen. Claiborne's first marriage was with Miss Sue M. Phillips of 
Kentucky, who bore him three children.  She died in Rusk in January 1900.  
His present wife is a native of Georgia, and they were married in Feb. 
1902 in the city of Rusk.  He was Major General of the Texas State 
Troops from 1884 to 1890, serving with fine ability.  Capt. Jessie 
Billingley, the brother of Gen. Claiborne's mother, was distinguished 
in the annals of Texas history from the fact he commanded company A, 
of Sherman's regiment at the battle of San Jacinto and later was 
captain of a company in the fight at Plum Creek in 1842.  The record 
of Gen. Claiborne as a soldier and legislator is worthy of the history 
of the promisent family to which he has descended.