BLACKBURN, James Knox Polk, 8th Texas Cavalry Regiment, Terry's Texas Rangers C.S.A. Joined with Ben McCulloch's force that compelled Twiggs to surrender in San Antonio, Texas. Enlisted in Lavaca Co. August 1861, mustered into Co. F at Houston, Texas on 7 Sep 1861. Sent to Nashville, Tennessee hospital with measles; given a saber by J.H. Morgan for his valuable service during a scouting at Murfreesboro; promoted to 1st Lt., July 1862; commanded Co. F in April 1863. While leading a charge at Farmington, Tennessee on 6 Oct 1863, he was shot in both thighs, captured and paroled for hospitalization. Recovered in Tennessee, where he met Mackie Laird, returned to Rangers in Feb. 1865 and exchanged at the end of the war. Settled in Giles Co., Tennessee after the war and married Mary "Mackie" McMillan Laird, 10 Feb 1867. In 1908 elected a member of the Tennessee State Senate.
Published "Reminiscences of the Terry Rangers" in Southwestern Historical Quarterly in 1918, republished in 1919.
Information sent in by Mary Bob McClain Richardson 1 Jul 2009.
