Thomas Jordan (September 30, 1819 – November 27, 1895) was a Confederate spy, and later a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. A career soldier in the armies of three nations, he fought in numerous wars and rebellions in the United States, Mexico, and Cuba. Jordan was also a newspaper editor and author.

Thomas Jordan was born in the Luray Valley, Virginia, and was educated in the local schools. In 1840, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Jordan entered the army as a second lieutenant in the 3rd U.S. Infantry, and was assigned to the garrison at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He fought in the Second Florida War against the Seminole Indians. He was among those soldiers who surprised and captured Chief "Tiger Tail" near Cedar Keys in November 1842.

He was then assigned to frontier duty until 1846, when he was promoted to first lieutenant. In the Mexican-American War, he served creditably at the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. In 1847, he rose to the rank of captain and served as a quartermaster. He remained at Vera Cruz for a year after the war in an administrative role. He then was posted to various Southern garrisons and on the Pacific Coast.