James M. Corns, born in 1830, was descended from prominent families in Staffordshire and Gloucestershire, England. While living as a child in Monmouthshire, his father died and then his mother abandoned him when she remarried. From those sad and unpromising circumstances he rose to become the commander of the 8th Virginia Cavalry Regiment of the Confederate States of America. He was called everything from "a gallant officer, a very intelligent gentleman" to "a drinking blackguard." After the war his wife deserted him and took their seven children into Pennsylvania and out of his reach. He then headed into the "wild West" building the railroads, and later was an architect and builder with a thriving business in East Texas. He found a new wife and had a bigamous marriage in Texas and Louisiana. The remarkable story of the life of James M. Corns, the defeats he suffered and his ability to keep up the fight even when faced with overwhelming losses, is a story of resilience, perseverance, courage, and talent. The life of James M. Corns was truly the life of a warrior. Read in this factual, carefully sourced book about the family lines that created him and his amazing life in and out of the military.