CIVIL WAR With the 1860's came the Civil War and Texas Joined the Confederate States of America. Several regiments were formed In Texas that saw substantial action during the Civil War. From around Austin, one of the most famous of the Texas outfits was formed -- that being the Fourth Regiment. This group was organized early in the war and moved to Virginia where it saw action in repeated battles. This regiment Joined the Army of Northern Virginia to fight at Manassas and Shenandoah, as well as other well-known battles. Many Texans lost their lives In Virginia or subsequently In prisoner of war camps operated by Union troops In Ohio and Indiana. Val C. Giles In his book entitled Rags and Hope vividly recounts his experiences as a private in the famous Texas Fourth Regiment between the years 1861-1865. When the Fourth Regiment first arrived In Northern Virginia, they went about their business of selecting a colonel to serve as their commander. The Fourth, like many Civil War regiments, was quickly mustered and moved into action. It was often on the battlefront that officers and enlisted men were moved into leadership positions. The first attempt to give a colonel to the Fourth Regiment was the appointment of R.T.P. Allen, a citizen of Bastrop, Texas and the President of the Military Institute there. This the officers and men would not stand for at all. Colonel Allen had been in command at their camp In Camp dark, Texas, and the men there came to the conclusion that he did not suit their idea of a commander. A protest was signed by every officer of the regiment against his appointment and Colonel Allen returned to Texas. In the summer of 1861, John B. Hood was appointed colonel and the Fourth Texas Regiment came to be known as Hood's Brigade. |
From the book "The Texas Turnbo's"
By: Charles A. Turnbo
Page 25