The Louisiana in the Civil War Message Board - Archive

Re: Irish Connections
In Response To: Irish Connections ()

Hello. Well, my g grandfather James Thomas Harper of the 5th Tenn.
was an Irishman.
His dad, James Sterling Harper, supposedly came to the United States (sometimes after the War of 1812) from Ireland-place unknown- with his brother. They separated as they went through the mountains back east as they were going west. James Stirling Harper who was a blacksmith died around about 1871. I have the date in the family Bible that I inherited.
James Thomas Harper was born on Jan. 5, 1840, in Benton County, Tenn. was wounded at Shiloh, went home to the Jackson, Tenn. area to heal and then went back and fought all over the South. In one Tenn. site he is listed as killed at Atlanta, but that did not happen as he left many descendants who still favor the man. He had a pug nose and a blaze birthmark between his eyes just like I do. He also had red hair, just like my brother.
James Thomas Harper had a gentle way about him and loved to sing while his sister played the piano. He was later a deacon in the Baptist Church at England, Arkansas where he died in August of 1928.
The Harper descendants have included WWII heros, successful farmers, doctors, school teachers, insurance agents, plumbers, electricans, etc.
They all know that Granddaddy Harper fought for the Confederacy, was wounded at Shiloh, and still fought on. His legacy was a postive one.
Linda T. Acrey
descendant of James Thomas Harper
5th Tenn. CSA

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Irish Connections
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