James Monroe Bankhead (1783 - 1856) a U. S. Army officer in the War of 1812, Second Seminole War, and Mexican American War, who rose to the rank of General. James Monroe Bankhead was born on May 24, 1783 in Port Royal, in Caroline County, Virginia. He saw active service during the Second Seminole War and received a brevet promotion to Colonel in 1838 to recognize his bravery. Col. James M. Bankhead was in command of the garrison of the Buffalo Barracks from Oct. 1838 to Aug. 1841.