James E. Harrison

James Edward Harrison (April 24, 1815 – February 23, 1875) was a Confederate States Army brigadier general during the American Civil War. He served in the Trans-Mississippi Department and fought in campaigns in Louisiana. Before the war, he was a two-term Mississippi state senator before moving to Texas in 1857. After the war, he was a trustee of Baylor University.

Early life James Edward Harrison was born on April 24, 1815, in Greenville District, South Carolina. The Harrison family moved to Alabama and then to Mississippi when Harrison was a boy.

Harrison moved to Texas, near Waco, in 1857. Upon his return from the negotiations, Harrison became a member of the Texas secession convention.

In 1864, Harrison was promoted to colonel of the 15th Texas Infantry.

James Harrison commanded a brigade in the District of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona of the Confederate Trans-Mississippi Department from March to April 7, 1865, in Major General Camille A. J. M. de Polignac's Division and the 1st Brigade, Brigadier General Samuel B Maxey's Division in the same district from April 7, 1865, through May 26, 1865.

Aftermath Harrison was a prominent member of the Waco, Texas community after the Civil War. He was active in education and served as a trustee of Baylor University.

Family

James Edward Harrison was the son of Isham Harrison (November 4, 1788 Greenville County, South Carolina - September 30, 1863) and Harriet Kelly (February 11, 1789, Greenville County, South Carolina - July 1, 1856 Aberdeen, Mississippi). He was a brother of Confederate Brigadier General Thomas Harrison and a second cousin of Wade Hampton III.

James Edward Harrison died February 23, 1875, in Waco, Texas, and is buried in First Street Cemetery in Waco.