Ferdinand Leigh Claiborne
Brigadier General, U.S. Army

Ferdinand Leigh Claiborne was born on 9 March 1772 in Sussex County, VA.

Claiborne entered military service in the Army as an Ensign of Infantry in 1793; he was promoted to Lieutenant in 1794 and to Captain in 1799. He resigned his commission in 1802 and moved to Mississippi Territory, where he owned a plantation and operated a store. On 5 February 1811, Claiborne became a Brigadier General of the Mississippi Militia. He also served in the Territorial Legislature, often as Speaker of the House.

During the War of 1812, he returned to the Army as a Colonel and commanded a regiment. In 1813, he was made Brigadier General of the U.S. Volunteers and commanded a brigade during an engagement with the Creek Indians at the Holy Ground in December 1813.

After the war, Claiborne returned to his Mississippi plantation. On 4 February 1815, he became Legislative councilor and later presided over the deliberations of the Legislature. Weakened by his wartime service, he died just 13 days after his 43rd birthday.

Personal

General Claiborne was the nephew of Congressman Thomas Claiborne, the brother of Governor William C.C. Claiborne and Congressman Nathaniel H. Claiborne, the uncle of Representatives John and Thomas Claiborne, and the father of Congressman J.F.H. Claiborne.

Death and Burial

Brigadier General Ferdinand Leigh Claiborne died on 22 March 1815 in Natchez, MS. He is buried at Trinity Cemetery in Natchez.