John A. Poindexter (October 12, 1825 – April 14, 1869) was a colonel in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.

[1] He married in Kentucky to Melissa Lucas, who died a few years after the birth of their daughter Mary E. Poindexter (1849–1935).

[7] While recruiting in Howard County, Missouri, Poindexter and his regiment were surprised and defeated on January 7, 1862, at the Battle of Roan's Tan Yard, scattering his command.

[8] Poindexter commanded of a consolidated remnant of the 4th and 5th Cavalry regiments of the Missouri State Guard at the Battle of Pea Ridge, where he was slightly wounded.

Following his capture, Poindexter was held while Union authorities considered trying and executing him as a guerrilla either by military tribunal or in a civilian court.

James Totten replied: I understand the facts to be that when arrested he was in citizen's garb, at a private house, and within our lines.

[11]However, Poindexter eventually publicly disavowed guerrilla warfare and was paroled to his home for the remainder of the war under a bond of $10,000.

: I have seen Poindexter, of Randolph, who is under bonds, and written him a note to use his influence in favor of law and order among the rebel sympathizers.