8TH-TEXAS-CAVALRY-L Archives

Archiver > 8TH-TEXAS-CAVALRY > 2007-06 > 1183071122


From: "" <>
Subject: Re: [8TH-TEXAS-CAVALRY] James Alfred Collins
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2007 22:52:02 -0000


This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.

Author: JDeGlenn
Surnames: Collins, Jenkins
Classification: biography

Message Board URL:

http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.Military.united-20-states.civwar.texas.8thtxcavalry/69.1/mb.ashx

Message Board Post:

I think the information you posted has to do with at least two different J. A. Collinses.

I'm enclosing information from the Dallas Herald regarding the James A. Collins who was a member of Terry's Texas Rangers. (He was the older brother of my great-grandfather, Joseph Collins, who was also a member of the Rangers.)

There's nothing to show that he was ever a member of the 6th Battalion of Texas Cavalry, or ever lived in Madison County, Texas, or in Alabama. He was born in Madison County, Kentucky, moved with his parents to Missouri in the 1830's, and then to Dallas in 1846.

INFORMATION FROM THE DALLAS HERALD

Wednesday, August 4, 1866:

MARRIED.
At the residence of the bride's father, in this county, on Wednesday evening, August 1, 1866, by Rev. Wm. K. MASTEN, Mr. JAS. A. COLLINS, of Indianola, to Miss MOLLIE, daughter of Wm. JENKINS, ESQ., of this county.

We tender the thanks of the Herald Office for a portion of the bride's cake, accompanying the above. Our friend, who, as one of the Terry Rangers, never knew what it was to surrender, has at last succombed [sic] to the bright eyes and sunny smiles of one of the daughters of our prairie land; all hands unite in well wishes for the gallant Texan Ranger and his fair young bride.

Wednesday, November 23, 1867:

OBITUARY.
DIED--At his residence in the city of Indianola, on the 8th day of July, 1867, JAMES A. COLLINS, aged 31 years.
The deceased was born in Madison county, Kentucky, from which State his father removed in 1844, settling in Dallas County Texas, his present residence. Previous to and since the war, Mr. COLLINS was interested and actively engaged in the shipment of beeves from the ports of Texas to New Orleans, and throughout the State, in the laborious and conflicting transactions attendant thereon, was ever found prompt scrupulous and just.

At the commencement of the war, fired by zealous devotion to his native South, Mr. COLLINS enlisted in the Confederate service, entering as a private, Capt. JOHN WALKER's company K. TERRY's regiment, and participated in the engagements around Bowling Green, and the unfortunate skirmish in which his beloved Commander received his fatal wound; and in all the engagements of his regiment, including the bloody battle of Murfreesboro, where disability from severe wounds received, compelled his resignation of the position of 1st Lieutenant which he then held in his regiment. Returning to Texas, and while yet suffering from his wounds, and by reason thereof, exempt from further military duty, the struggle continuing in its fierceness, Lieut. COLLINS again entered the service as a private soldier; and in a short while his soldierly energy, efficiency and deeds of daring, won from him an order of the District Commander of Louisiana, to take command of a company of scouts, and for the!
remainder of the war, Capt. COLLINS operated with his company in the Trans-Miss., Department. His scrupulous regard for the rights of the citizen, his watchfulness and his gallantry commended him to the community in the section of his operation, and secured for him, with them, a pleasant memory, while his activity, bravery and signal efficiency, were the occasion of special commendation in general orders from District Head Quarters.

In matters of business, Mr. COLLINS had established a most enviable reputation for promptness, integrity and honor; his word was his bond, and its violation was never known. In his relations with his friends and associates, he was modest and retiring, affable, frank and generous. In the sacred precincts of his family, he carried the same kind heart and noble impulses intensified--he was a considerate, loving husband and father.

In his death an active public spirited citizen has been removed from this community; a true friend has been taken from us; a tender affectionate protector, in the midst of happiness and in the strength of his manhood, has been torn from a devoted wife and child; an honorable and affectionate son from his parents; a kind counselor from his brothers and sisters.
[Reprinted in the Dallas Herald from the] Indianola Courier.

Important Note:
The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.



This thread: