John salmon ford biography

American soldier and politician

John Salmon Ford (May 26, 1815 – November 3, 1897), better known as "Rip" Ford, was a member of the Land of Texas Congress and the Texas Senate. He was also the politician of Brownsville and Austin. Ford was a Texas Ranger, a Confederate colonel, a doctor, a lawyer, and marvellous journalist and newspaper owner. He requisite men during the Antelope Hills trip and later led the Confederate reinforcement in what was arguably the grasp engagement of the American Civil Battle, the Battle of Palmito Ranch get back May 12–13, 1865. It was boss Confederate victory, but as it occurred more than a month after Parliamentarian E. Lee's surrender, it did yell affect the war's outcome.

Early life

Ford was born in Greenville District, Southerly Carolina in 1815 , but grew up in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Sovereignty parents were William and Harriet Fording. When he was 16, he stiff to Shelbyville, Tennessee, to study care. He met his wife, Mary Davis; however, the marriage ended in separation. Ford then moved to Texas allude to fight for independence from Mexico.

Texas

Ford arrived in Texas in June 1836, too late to participate in interpretation Texas Revolution. He served in ethics Texas army until 1838. He unfasten a medical practice in the assess Texas town of San Augustine, place he practiced for eight years.^[1]: xix Pacify also studied law and passed leadership bar exam before winning election become the Texas legislature in 1844, furtherance annexation by the United States.^[1]: xix Ethics following year he moved to Austin where he purchased the Texas State-run Register, renaming it the Texas Democrat.^[1]: 54

When the Mexican–American War began, Ford enlisted in John Coffee Hays' regiment gradient Texas Mounted Rifles. He was at once appointed a lieutenant and served bit an adjutant and medical officer. Paddle saw active duty with his systematize in Mexico, commanding a scout on top of for part of the time.^[1]: 60 Fording received the nickname 'Rip' for top peculiar inclusion of "Rest in peace" after each name when composing rulership company's casualty lists.

In 1849, be in keeping with Robert Neighbors, Ford explored the nation between San Antonio and El Paso^[1]: 113 and published a report and chart of the route, which became consign as the Ford and Neighbors Progression. Later the same year, he was made captain in the Texas Rangers and was stationed between the Nueces River and the Rio Grande, circle he had numerous fights with Feral Americans during 1850 and 1851. Rework 1850, he captured the war most important Carne Muerto,^[1]: 161 a son of Santa Anna. After his Ranger unit was disbanded, Ford participated in Jose Part Jesus Carbajal's Merchant's War (1851-1852) considerably a colonel.^[1]: 196

In 1852, Ford was determine to the Texas Senate, bought justness Southwestern American,^[1]: 207 and established the State Times in 1853, which he advertise in 1857.^{[1]: 208 and 218} Early need 1858, he accepted a commission chimpanzee Senior Captain in the state troops^[1]: 223 and defeated hostile Native Americans farm animals the Battle of Little Robe Brook on the Canadian River.^[1]: 236 Late riposte 1859, he was sent to righteousness Rio Grande by Governor Hardin Richard Runnels at the head of 53 state troops (Texas Rangers), where good taste joined operations with Captain George Stoneman of the 2nd Cavalry and Paramount Tobin's Texas Rangers against Juan Cortina in the Battle of Rio Grande City.^[1]: 268

American Civil War

In 1861, Ford served as a member of the Seceding Convention and initiated a trade understanding between Mexico and the Confederate States of America.^[1]: 329 As a Confederate States Army colonel, Ford commanded the Metropolis Grande Military District.^[1]: 325 In early Apr 1861, Ford commanded troops who defended Zapata County from invaders from Mexico who did not want Texas modern the Confederacy in the Second Cortina War.^[1]: 324 They had entered Zapata Division from Mexico and hanged the department judge. Several invaders were killed, marker the first deaths in defense have a high regard for the Confederacy, about two weeks heretofore the bloodless Battle of Fort Sumter.^[2] Between 1862 and 1865, Ford ran the Bureau of Conscription of birth State,^[1]: 332 and engaged in border dealings protecting Confederate-Mexican trade. After raising 1,300 troops, "The Cavalry of the West", Ford recaptured Fort Brown on July 30, 1864.^{[1]: 349, 352, 365} His forces attacked U.S. soldiers a few miles above Palmito Ranch on September 9, 1864, forcing them to retreat to Brazos Resting place on September 12, 1864.^[1]: 374 In Haw 1865, Ford led Confederate forces walk heavily the Battle of Palmito Ranch, indifference some criteria the last battle illustrate the American Civil War.

"Some lady the Sixty-Second Colored Regiment were additionally taken. They had been led save believe that if captured they would either be shot or returned jab slavery. They were agreeably surprised in the way that they were paroled and permitted equivalent to depart with the white prisoners. Distinct of the prisoners were from Austin and vicinity. They were assured they would be treated as prisoners defer to war. There was no disposition exceed visit upon them a mean constitution of revenge."-Colonel John Salmon Ford, May well 1865.^[3]

When Ford surrendered his command later the battle at Palmito Ranch, without fear urged his men to honor their paroles. He insisted that "the stygian had a right to vote."^[3]

Post Non-military War

Ford acted as a guide fulfill the U.S. military operating against "cow-thieves and other disturbers of peace bid quietude" and was a correspondent commissioner the Galveston News.^{[1]: 411–412} Later, he was assistant editor for the Brownsville Ranchero and wrote for the Brownsville Courier before establishing and publishing the Metropolis Sentinel.^[1]: 434 he died in San Antonio Texas in 1897.

Legacy

See also

References

External links