John Salmon Ford

John Salmon Ford (May 26 1815 – November 3 1897), better known as "Rip" Ford, was a member of the Republic of Texas Congress and later of the State Senate. He was also a Texas Ranger, a Confederate colonel, and a journalist. Ford commanded the Confederate forces in the last engagement of the American Civil War, the Battle of Palmito Ranch on May 12-13, 1865. It was a Confederate victory, but as it occurred more than a month after Robert E. Lee's surrender it had no effect on the outcome of the war.

Early life

Ford was born in Greeenville District, South Carolina, but grew up Lincoln County, Tennessee. When he was 16 he moved to Shelbyville, Tennessee to study medicine. There he met his future wife, Mary Davis. However, the marriage ended in divorce and Ford decided to move to Texas, then fighting for its independence from Mexico.

Ford in Texas

John Ford arrived in Texas in June 1836. He served in the Texas army until 1838, when he opened a medical practice in San Augustine. He practiced medicine until 1844, when he Ford won election to the Texas legislature, advocating annexation by the United States. The following year he moved Austin, where he purchased the "Texas National Register", renaming it the "Texas Democrat".

When the Mexican War began, Ford enlisted in Jack Hays' regiment of "Texas Mounted Rifles". However, he was promptly elected a lieutenant and would serve as both adjutant and medical officer. He saw active duty with his regiment in Mexico, commanding a scout company part of the time.

External links

*Handbook of Texas|id=FF/ffo11|name=John Salmon Ford.
* [http://texashistory.unt.edu/permalink/meta-pth-5827:53 Entry about John Salmon Ford] from the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/permalink/meta-pth-5827 "Biographical Encyclopedia of Texas"] published 1880, hosted by the [http://texashistory.unt.edu/ Portal to Texas History.]
* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~txkarnes/Tales/rip-ford.htm Short transcriptions about the men that joined the Cavalry of the West]
* [http://books.google.com/books?id=z4x4xEZZ_xsC&pg=RA2-PA373&lpg=RA2-PA373&dq=%22cavalry+of+the+west%22&source=web&ots=3DBf4I6RUv&sig=B0qsQ1S62TVYatac50Fn70kAybw#PRA2-PA374,M1 Cavalry of the West]
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