James Ronald Chalmers (January 11, 1831 - April 9, 1898) was an American politician and a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. A lawyer in civilian life, Chalmers enlisted in 1861, and reached the rank of general by 1864. During the initial attack on Battle of Fort Pillow, he was placed in overall command by his superior, Nathan Bedford Forrest. After the war, Chalmers represented the state of Mississippi in the U.S. House of Representatives.