JORDAN, Thomas, soldier, born in Luray valley, Virginia, 30 September, 1819. He was graduated at the United States military academy in 1840, and served as 2d lieutenant of the 3d infantry in the war against the Seminole Indians. He was then on garrison duty in the west and south, and took part in the war with Mexico. He became 1st lieutenant, 18 June, 1846, and captain and quartermaster, 3 March, 1847, serving on the Pacific coast. He resigned, 21 May, 1861, entered the Confederate army as lieutenant-colonel, and was immediately made adjutant-general of the forces at Manassas Junction. He accompanied General Beauregard to Tennessee as chief of staff, and became brigadier-general after the battle of Shiloh. He served temporarily on the staff of General Bragg, but returned to his former post with General Beauregard during the defence of Charleston in 1862-'4. After the war he was made chief of the general staff of the Cuban insurgent army, and in May, 1869, landed at Mayari with 300 men, and arms, ammunition, and supplies for 6,000. On marching into the interior to join the insurgents he was attacked by the Spanish forces and lost 80 men. In December he succeeded to the chief command of the revolutionists, and in January, 1870, gained a victory over a superior force at Guaimaro. But as the supply of arms and ammunition was exhausted and as there was small chance of reorganizing an effective force, he resigned in February, 1870, and returned to the United States. He has since resided in New York city and is now (1887) editor of the "Mining Record." Immediately after the civil war he published a critical review of the Confederate operations and administration in "Harper's Magazine," and was the editor of the "Memphis Appeal" in 1866. He has contributed to periodical literature and published, in connection with J. B. Pryor, "The Campaigns of Lieutenant-General Forrest" (New York, 1868).