Juan N. Cortina
Written as “General Contina”, “Contina”Probably
Juan Nepomuceno Cortina was a Mexican ranchero, general and politician who effectively controlled the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, and is remembered for the “Cortina Wars” of 1859–1861 (Wikipedia).
James wrote in June 1864 of “Matamoras or Bagdad, or Villa de Contina as it is now called” (James, June 26, 1864), and in September: “Reports have come in that the General Contina (Mexican) and the French had a fight this morning, result not known” (James, September 3, 1864). Cortina held power in Tamaulipas, just across the river, so “Contina” is probably Cortina.