James Gadsden (May 15, 1788December 26, 1858) was an American diplomat, soldier and businessman and namesake of the Gadsden Purchase, in which the United States purchased from Mexico the land that became the southern portion of Arizona and New Mexico. James Gadsden served as Adjutant General of the U. S. Army from August 13, 1821 – March 22, 1822, and held the rank of colonel in the US Army. He was commonly known as General Gadsden but was only a two-star general.