Jack Jenkins a corporal with the Second Tennessee Cavalry (C.S.) during the American Civil War. In 1864, he participated in the Battle of Fort Pillow. Under the command of Colonel Clark Barteau, Jenkins participated in the successful repulsion of the Olive Branch's efforts to land reinforcements on the banks of Coal Creek. This task complete, Barteau ordered Jenkins to take aboout half the cavalry back to the fort in anticipation of a full-out attack. Barteau reminded Jenkins that even the Negro soldiers in the fort were armed with rifles. While Jenkins initially sneered at the idea, nonetheless, he realized the damage a musket ball could do.