Thomas Harrison

Thomas Harrison, of Waco, was born in Jefferson county, Ala., May 1, 1823, but in his early youth removed with his father's family to Monroe county, Miss., where he was reared and educated. He removed to the Republic of Texas when he was twenty years of age and began the study of law in the office of his brother-in-law, William H. Jack of Brazoria county. When he had preparred himself for the law he returned to Mississippi and located at Aberdeen, and began the practice of his profession with the view of returning to Texas after he had acquired some professional experience among his old friends and neighbors. But the Mexican war, which was just beginning, kindled in his bosom a spirit of patriotism that no restraints could control, and in 1846 he enlisted in McClung's company, First Mississippi Rifles, a regiment commanded by Col. Jefferson Davis, and participated in the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista. When the war ended he removed to Houston, Texas, and in 1850-51 represented Harris county in the legislature. In 1865 he settled in Waco, where he made his home until his death. In 1857 he was induced by his friends to become a candidate for district judge in opposition to Judge R. E. B. Baylor, who had long been a popular incumbent of that office, and after an active canvass was defeated by a small majority. In 1860 he was elected captain of a volunteer company orgainzed in Waco, and was sent by Gen. Sam Houston, governor of Texas, on a campaign of six months' service in the regiment of Colonel Dalrymple against the Indians on the Pease, Prairie Dog and Canadian rivers. While engaged in this service he was mainly instrumental in compelling the surrender of the United States troops at Camp Cooper, whose stores were a timely contribution to the operation of the campaign. This was perhaps the first attack made by state troops upon the forces of the Federal government, and removed at the outset a garrison which might have become the nucleus for an invasion of the state. In 1861 he was chosen captain of a company of cavalry organized at Milan for the Confederaed service, and his command was mustered in as part of the Eighth Texas Cavalry, which gained renown as "Terry's Texas Rangers." The regiment was ordered to Kentucky, and upon its reorganization he was elected major. Slowly winning his way by meritorious conduct, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, then colonel, and finally to the rank of brigadier-general of cavalry, and gained the distinction of being one of the most efficient officers in the army. His services at Shiloh were conspicuous. He led his brigade in the thick of the fight at Murfreesboro, participating under Gen. Forrest in the capture of the town. He was in all the great battles of the Army of Tennessee, always at the head of his column, and almost constantly in the presence of the enemy. After the surrender he returned to his home in Texas, was elected district judge, serving with eminent satisfaction to the bar and the people, but was removed by the military authorities a year later. He was a presidential elector in 1872. Gen. Harrison was a most successful lawyer and amassed considerable money and lands. He married, in 1858, Miss Salle E. McDonald, niece of Governor John Ellis, of North Carolina. He died at his home in Waco, Texas, July 13, 1891.

Johnson, Sidney S. Texans Who Wore the Gray. Tyler, Texas, 1907.