James Clay Rice (December 27, 1828 – May 10, 1864) was a lawyer from Massachusetts who became a brigadier general of volunteers in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

When the Civil War broke out, Rice enlisted on 28 May 1861 in the 39th New York Infantry Regiment, quickly becoming a captain of Company B and engaging at the First Battle of Bull Run.

For his service at Gettysburg, Rice was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers on August 17, 1863.

In March 1864, General Rice was in command of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, V Corps which he led into action at the Battle of the Wilderness.

He was buried at Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, New York, in section 42, plot 11.