"The Typical Confederate Soldier"

"Johnny Reb- - - - the model citizen soldier, military hero of the nineteenth century, place him where duty calls, in the imminent deadly breach or the perilous charge, and none in all the armies of the earth can claim a higher rank or prouder record. The worn and faded gray jacket, glorified by valor and stained with the life blood of its wearer, becomes, in its immortality of association, a more splendid vestment than mail of medieval knight or the rarest robe of royalty. Half clad, half armed, often half fed, without money and without price, the Confederate soldier fought against the resources of the world. When at last his flag was furled and his arms were grounded in defeat, the cause for which he had struggled was lost, but he had won the fadeless victory of soldiership."

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By G. H. Baskette, Nashville, TN
(Published in 1893 Confederate Veteran magazine)

John Kee Crain was the son of James B. and Charlotte Emory Crain. His grandparents were William and Rachael Crain of North Carolina (b. ca 1780), who moved to Kentucky by 1808 and on to Tennessee by 1820. John was born 1842 in Tennessee. He moved to Missouri with his parents in 1845 and is enumerated on the Federal Census in Newton County in 1850. He fought in the Civil War in the 3rd Missouri Cavalry CSA, Co. D, as did his brothers, William and James Henderson (Pony) Crain. After the War, James B. Crain and all members of the family, including grown sons and daughters "removed to Blossom, Texas in Lamar County". Blossom Prairie was a well known area as all travelers coming into Texas by way of the Red River Ford located at Jones Ferry, passed that way and made camp there. There is evidence to suggest that James B. was in Texas prior to, or during the Civil War. The book; A Reminiscent History of the Ozark Region states that he was. There were many CRAIN families in the Lamar and Red River region already. It is not known if they were related. It is known that James B.'s brother, Hiram was in Texas by 1848 and his brother, Leroy, and other relatives by 1860. John K. was married to Susannah Whiteman, daughter of Amos and Sarah Cheney Whiteman of Danville, Illinois, who had emmigrated to Texas in 1849. John K. and Susannah were the parents of 7 children; Elizabeth, Sarah Cheney, Leon, Tottie, John K. Jr., Charles and Bunyon. Many of their descendants are living in Texas at the present time.

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