John G. McNeel, Jr., was born around 1842 in Texas to John G. McNeel. His father was a planter and state politician who owned $100,150 of real estate and $216,400 of personal property by 1860. He grew up and attended school in Brazoria County, Texas.

 

He enlisted in the Confederate army on September 7, 1861, and he mustered in as a private in Company B of the 8^th Texas Cavalry. According to his service records, he was 5 feet, 9 ½ inches tall, with dark hair and dark eyes. He fell ill soon afterward, and Confederate officials declared him “unfit for service.” He mustered out on December 1, 1861.

 

His health improved by February 1863, and he rejoined the Confederate army. He served as a private in Company G of the 13^th Texas Infantry, and several Houston writers described him as “one of our most patriotic and respected citizens.” In December 1864, he responded to President Abraham Lincoln’s reelection by declaring, “we know now what we have to do & that is to fight to the bitter end.” He added that “there is not a Southern man in this broad & sunny land who is not willing to fight it out…we would rather die than be subjugated.”

 

He died sometime after 1876.

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