A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 7

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 954

USA > Texas > Henderson County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 7
USA > Texas > Freestone County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 7
USA > Texas > Leon County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 7
USA > Texas > Anderson County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 7
USA > Texas > Limestone County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 7
USA > Texas > Navarro County > A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 7

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The election of 1861 showed a majority in favor of Francis R. Lubbock, for gov- ernor, who defeated Clark by 124 votes only. He was inaugurated November 7, 1861.

In July of this year an expedition was organized for the purpose of driving the Federal troops out of New Mexico; but it was a bootless campaign, in which the devoted sons of Texas lost by sickness and in killed, wounded and prisoners, over 500 men.

In May, 1862, the surrender of the city of Galveston was demanded by Commo- dore Eagle in cominand of the blockading squadron. No attention was paid to the

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

summons, and as the commodore had no troops at the time to enforce his demand, no attempt was made to occupy the place until October 4, when Commodore Ren- shaw, of the United States steamer West- field, with the Harriet Lane, Owasco, and Clifton, captured the defences of the har- bor and city after a mere show of resist- ance on the part of General Hebert, who withdrew his troops to Virginia Point, on the main land.

Meantime, about the middle of Septem- ber, Lieutenant J. W. Kittredge, with his vessel, the Arthur, and the steamer Sa- chem, took possession of Corpus Christi, captured several vessels, and necessitated the burning of others by the Confederates. Subsequently, Kittredge, while on shore was captured, with his boat's crew. Some- what later Francis Crocker, commanding the steamer Kensington, with the · schoon- ers Rachel, Seaman and Henry James, captured the defences of Sabine city. He then proceeded to Calcasieu river and took or destroyed several blockade-runners.

So incensed were the people at the abandonment of Galveston by General Hebert, that they petitioned for his re- moval, and he was superseded in Novem- ber, 1862, by General Magrnder, who forthwith made preparations to recapture the island. The return of Sibley's brigade from New Mexico gave him an efficient force of men already experienced in war, and he had also at his disposal 5,000 Texans, who had been called into service for the protection of the coast. Galveston was occupied by the Forty-second Massa- chusetts Volunteers; the Harriet Lane was

lying at the wharf, and five other United States vessels were stationed off the shore toward the pass.

Magruder's plan was to assault the enemy simultaneously by land and water. His preparations were conducted with the greatest secrecy, his intentions being known only to himself and staff. Both attacks were successful, and Galveston island was again in possession of the Texans, who re- tained their hold of it till the termination of the war, though the port continued to be blockadcd.

On April 28, 1862, martial law was pro- claimed by General Bee, in command at San Antonio, over the western military district, and on May 30th following, Gen- eral Hebert proclaimed that it extended over the whole State. Every white male person above the age of sixteen years was required to have his name, residence and occupation registered; aliens were obliged to take the oath of allegiance to the Con- federacy; any attempt to depreciate Con- federate currency was declared an act of hostility; and all disobedience of orders was snmmarily punished.

On November 21st, tlie exportation of cotton was forbidden, except by the agents of the government, and in February, 1863, further restrictions were made on its ex- portation across the Rio Grande. These and similar measures were condemned by the people.

Moreover, after the first excited rush of volunteers into the service had subsided, the stern law of conscription was passed, and was enforced in Texas to the utmost. All males from eighteen years of age to forty-five were made liable to service in

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

the Confederate army, with the exception of ministers of religion, State and county officers, and slaveholders; the possession of fifteen slaves being the minimum number entitling the owner to exemption. Gov- ernor Lubbock, being an extremist in this regard, in his message to the Legislature in November, 1863, suggested that every male person from sixteen years upward should be declared in the military ser- vice of the State, and that no one should be permitted to furnish a substitute. In the same message he informed the Legis- lature that 90,000 Texans were already in the Confederate service. When it is borne in mind that the greatest number of votes ever polled in the State was a little over 64,000, it will be seen what a tremen- dous drain had been made on the strengthi of the country!

Again, the confiscation act, and the law authorizing the banishment of persons still adhering to the Union, were scrupulously enforced. Many who liad spent their lives in Texas thus lost their property, and even temporary absentees in the North were deprived of their possessions. But still more unfortunate were persons of Union proclivities wlio yet remained in the coun- try. Many Unionists attempted to escape to Mexico. The early fugitives were mostly successful, but of those who fol- lowed the greater portion was captured and put to death.

By the close of Lubbock's administra- tion the tide of opinion was changing. The Confederate arms had met with serious re- verses, and the dark shadow of the impossi- bility of an independent South liad already cast a gloom over the country. After the

capture of Galveston island no operation of importance occurred in 1863 until Sep- tember, when General Banks made an at- tempt to effect a lodgment at Sabine city, with the object of invading Texas.

It appears that on the morning of Janu- ary 21 of that year a hot conflict of two hours had taken place outside the harbor bar, between the blockading squadron, Morning Light and Velocity, and two Con- federate cotton-clad steamboats, the Josiah Bell and the Uncle Ben, in which the Con- federates were successful. General Ma- gruder immediately issued a proclamation inviting neutral nations to resume com- mercial intercourse with that port, but the blockade was soon re-established. On April 18 of the same year, a skirmish took place in which Lieutenant-commander Mc- Dermot of the Federal gunboat Cayuga was killed, and several men severely wounded. After this time the Confeder- ates in Sabine City were unmolested, and they erected a fort.defended by a formid- able battery of eight heavy guns, three of which were rifled.

General Banks, in pursuance of his plans for the conquest of Texas, placed 4,000 men under the command of Major General Franklin, with instructions to effect a landing at Sabine Pass, with the co-oper- ation of the navy. The necessary trans- ports were provided, and the steamers Clifton, Sachem, Arizona and Granite City, under Lieutenant Frederick Crocker, were assigned to support the movement. On September 8, these gunboats with the trans- ports crossed the bar. It had been in- tended to effect a surprise at early dawn on the morning of the 7th; but this plan was

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

disconcerted by want of unity of action, and the expedition appeared for twenty- eight hours off the pass before it moved against the enemy, who thereby became aware of the threatened danger.

Franklin, moreover, failed to follow his instructions, by which he was ordered to land his troops below the pass. This at- tack resulted in an ignominions defeat on the part of the Federals. The expedition returned to New Orleans, having lost two gunboats, mounting fifteen rifled guns, and over 100 men in killed and wounded, besides at least 250 prisoners. The garri- son of the fort consisted of only 200 Texans, of whom no more than forty-two took part in the action. President Davis presented these with a silver medal, the only honor of the kind ever known to have been be- stowed by the Confederate government.

On July 26, 1863, General Houston, soldier and statesman, the architect of Texan independence, breathed his last at his home in Huntsville, Walker county. His health had been declining for some time, and with a broken spirit lie had watched for the last two years from his place of re- tirement the current of the events which he had predicted. The spirit of the loyal South had pervaded even his own family, and his son Sam, who had early enlisted in the Confederate ranks, had been wounded, and was a prisoner. This embittered the last days of the steadfast old patriot.

Although he offered no active opposi- tion to the victorious party after his de- posal, his views underwent no change. Nor was he merely a silent and uninterested spectator; his voice was raised, from time to time, against the arbitrary proceedings of

military depotism. When martial law was proclaimed by General Hebert, he ad- dressed a strong protest to Governor Lub- bock, denouncing the proclamation. This document was not published until many months afterward, when it produced a pro- found impression.

He was truly a great man. Apart from his high intellectual capabilities, he pos- sessed many of the noblest qualities that . adorn the human character. His courage, his kindness, his serupulons honesty in every official station which he occupied, and that open expression of his sentiments regardless of personal consequences, were prominent characteristics. His enemies accused him of cowardice, but lie possessed that higher courage which enabled him to brave the contempt of a community which still held to the savagism that insults should be wiped out with blood.

Majestic in person, of conimanding presence, and noble countenance, he was a striking figure in public and in private. Sorrow for the miseries of his country, poverty in his household, and a broken constitution, saddened his last days.

On November 5, 1863, Pendleton Mur- rah, the Governor-elect, was inaugurated, Fletcher S. Stockdale being Lientenant- Governor.

After the failure of the expedition against Sabine City, General Banks deter- mined upon another attack, to get possession of the Texan ports. Late in November, 1863, Banks, supported by a naval squad- ron under Commander Strong, sailed with 6,000 troops from New Orleans for the Rio Grande, the im:nediate command, how- ever, being given to General Napoleon

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

Dana. On November 2, the soldiers landed at Brazos Santiago, and Brownsville was taken possession of on the 6th. The occn- pation of Corpus Christi, of the Confeder- ate works at Aransas Pass, of Cavallo Pass, and Fort Esperanza, at the entrance of Matagorda bay, speedily followed. By the end of December, Indianola and the Mata- gorda peninsula were in possession of the Federals, only a faint show of resistance be- ing made by the Texans, who withdrew from the coast defenses west of the Colo- rado. At the beginning of 1864, the only places on the gulf coast of importance that remained in their possession were at the mouth of the Brazos and Galveston island, both of which were too strongly defended to admit of the enemy making any attempt against them. The occupation of Browns- ville effectually stopped the extensive trade carried on by the Texans through Mata- moras, and on February 18 President Lin- coln by proclamation relaxed conditionally the blockade of that port. This possession of the forts of Texas was of short duration. After a few months' occupation the mili- tary forces were withdrawn, with the ex- ception of a detachment left at Brazos San- tiago, and the duty of guarding that coast henceforth devolved npon the navy, which succeeded in capturing several Confederate vessels.

Banks' expedition having failed, so far as its ultimate object, the repossession of Texas, was concerned, another plan was formed for the recovery of that State by an invasion on the northeast by the line of Red river. The first object of this enter- prise, which was conducted by Generals Banks and Steele, was the capture of

Shreveport, and the dispersion of the Con- federates in that region, which, being once accomplished, would open the road into Texas. This undertaking also failed. After occupying Alexandria on March 23, Banks directed his march toward Shreveport. A number of battles were fought, and at Sa- bine Cross Roads the Federals sustained a serions defeat, which their subsequent vic- tories at Pleasant Grove and Pleasant Hill could not repair. The advance of the Na- tional army was effectually checked. Banks retreated to Alexandria, and Steele to. Little Rock. In these engagements the Texans played a prominent part. At the disastrous battle of Pleasant Hill, Sweitzer's Regiment of Texas Cavalry, about 400 strong, in making a desperate charge npon the enemy's line, was almost annihilated.

In September, Brownsville was cap- tured by a Mexican force under Cortina, who on the 9th of that month passed over with his whole force, with the artillery, drove the Texans from that town, and took possession of the place for the United States. The Federal flag was hoisted, the Union commander at Brazos Santiago in- formed of the event, and the town placed at his disposal.

Governor Murrah did not find his posi- tion a sinecure. It was fraught .with anxiety and care, trouble and annoyances, while the salary attached to it was paid in currency, which was only worth from three to four cents on the dollar. The functions of the three branches of government were usurped. Military orders and Congres- sional acts set aside State laws, and de- nuded him of his authority as the execu- tive. As he was a firm believer in State

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

rights and State sovereignty, he was soon involved in a labyrinth of difficulties. In the hope that somne means might be de- vised to mitigate financial perplexities, harmonize conflicting interests, and pro- mote co-operation between the State and the Confederacy in the protection of in- dustrial enterprises, he convened the legis- lature to meet in extra session on May 11, 1864.

The first matter brought to the consider- ation of the legislature was with reference to Confederate currency. This had been recognized as almost worthless by the Con- gress of the Southern States, which had provided for its withdrawal from circula- tion. As a large accumulation of the worthless paper already existed in the State Treasury, the future financial policy of Texas was a question of the gravest im- portance. The State could not afford to hold such currency and fund it in bonds, and the possibility of its being exchanged for the new issue was a matter that de- manded immediate inquiry.

The next matter which Governor Mur- rah brought under consideration was the complication which had arisen with regard to conscription. The time for which those already in the service had been drafted had not yet expired, and February 20, 1864, was mutually agreed upon between Gov- ernor Murrah and General Magruder as the day for the reorganization; the Governor issued, January 23, an order continuing these troops in service, and announcing to them that February 20 had been appointed as the day for their reorganization. This caused great discontent, and many of them left their posts; Magruder began to act

independently, in face of the Governor's orders. However, the Governor and Gen- eral came to an arrangement by which mat- ters were satisfactorily settled.

But, in the meantime, another and more serious matter of dispute arose. The Con- federate Congress liad recently passed a new and sweeping act of conscription, and on its publication in Houston, about the middle of March, General Magruder re- fnsed to receive newly organized State troops as State troops, although tendered to him, determined to rely solely on the Congressional law for troops. Governor Murrah opposed such views. Magruder, however, was nnyielding, and the Governor disbanded the State troops, and by procla- mation of April 12 called upon all those liable to conscription under the recent act of Congress to volunteer, and organize in conformity with the Confederate law; but as to ordering them to do so, he had, as lie said, no authority. Thus the State was without any military force, and this at a time when the enemy was threatening Texas on the north and northeastern frontier; the coast defenders had been mostly withdrawn to meet the foe in Louisiana; in no section was there a suffi- cient police force that conld efficiently con- trol the slave population and prevent them from being tampered with, while in many portions of Ee countrmurders, robberies . and outrages were daily committed. Under these circumstances, the Governor was of opinion that minute companies should be thoroughly organized in the counties, of all men between the ages of fifty and sixty years, and those exempt from service under the laws of the Confederate Congress

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

This system would supply an efficient police force, strengthen the local organiza- tion for the defense of the State, and re- tain a reserve of laborers that could give time and attention to internal interests.

The Governor also called attention to the "fearful demoralization and crimes prevailing throughout the State." Thie picture which he drew of the social condi- tion of Texas during this period was truly frightful. "Foul crime is committed, and the criminal, steeped in guilt and branded by his own dark deeds with eternal in- famy, goes unwhipped of justice. Not even a warrant is issued for him-no effort made by the sworn officers of the law, or by the community, to bring him to punish- ment. Too often the deed is excused; the community is divided in opinion as to guilt, and the criminal is screened from justice, unless his offending chances to touch some particular influence or prevail- ing notions, and then, without trial and without the forms of law, he is hung by the mob!"

This really worthy Governor further re- marked that the law was not at fault, and called upon the officers and people to co- operate in rooting out these evils. He ex- horted the judiciary and all other officers to faithfully discharge their duties, and boldly declared that the severest penalties should be provided for the civil officer who neglected his sworn obligations.

In spite of this lamentable condition of Texas in a social point of view, her in- dustrial prospects were far from unfavor- able. Numbers of refugees from Louisiana, Arkansas and Missouri, after the abolition of slavery, sought an asylum in Texas,

which that law failed to reach, bringing with them their slaves. The consequence was that the year 1863 was marked by an unprecedented production of cotton and corn. Looms were supplied in ample abundance, great quantities of cloth were manufactured and industrial enterprises undertaken on an extensive scale. Capital was employed by association and chartered companies for the manufacture of iron and other articles for home consumption and the army, and machinery for manufactur- ing purposes. But the producers were called upon to make sacrifices so great that their patience became exhausted. The de- tnand for cotton, both by Confederate offi- cers and the State Military Board, was im- perative, and the planter was called upon to sell one-half of his staple for State bonds bearing seven per centum interest. Means of transportation to the Rio Grande were scarce and expensive, and it was gen- erally conceded that the cost of transfer- ring cotton thither from any distance in the interior was equal to one-half its value, losses and wastage being considered. More- over, serious embarrassments occurred be- tween the Confederate and State authori- ties, and cotton transported under the State regulations was interfered with on the Rio Grande. Horses and mnules were impressed for the use of the army, and all surplus corn was appropriated. A gloomy senti- ment prevailed. Many terrible battles had been fought, and it was felt that the end was drawing near.

The latter part of 1864 was disastrous to the Confederate army, and during the first six months of the following year the catas- trophe came. After the surrender of Gen-

HISTORY OF NAVARRO, HENDERSON, ANDERSON,

erals Lee, Johnston and Taylor, in April and early in May, a battle was fought in Texas, where the struggle was still pro- longed. Public meetings were held and resolutions adopted to continne the war. A large Federal force was set in motion against Texas under Sheridan, but on May 26 Kirby Smith surrendered his command to General Canby, before the Unionists had reached their destination.

Meantime, on May 13, the engagement above alluded to, the last scene in the war, was fought near the old battlefield of Palo Alto, the scene of Taylor's victory over Arista. In this, the Confederates were at- tacked at Palinetto early in the morning of the 12th, by 300 mnen under Lieutenant Colonel Bronson and driven from their camp, and a number of their horses and cat- tle captured. Bronson then fell back, and on the 13th was joined by Lieutenant Colonel Morrison, with 200 men. The Confeder- ates, commanded by General J. E. Slaugh- ter, had again assembled at Palmetto rancho in force. Colonel Barrett now assumed command of the Federal force in person, and again drove the enemy from their po- sition. About four o'clock in the afternoon, however, the Federals were assailed in front by a strong body of infantry with six twelve-ponnders, while a squadron of cavalry succeeded, under cover of the chaparral, in flanking them. Barrett's position was critical, and retreat was his only alterna- tive. For three hours a running fight was maintained without the Confederates being able to break the Federal line, and at sun- set they retired. The last shot of the Civil war had been fired.

RECONSTRUCTION.

After the formal surrender of Smith and Magruder, Governor Murrah retired to Mexico and on June 19, 1865, General Granger, of the United States army, as- sumed temporary command. On the 17th of that month President Johnson, in por- suance of his plan of reconstruction, ap- pointed Andrew J. Hamilton provisional governor of Texas. As a preliminary step to the reorganization of the subdued States, the president had removed, on April 29, certain commercial restrictions, and on May 29 issued a proclamation granting an am- nesty, with certain exceptions, to persons who had been engaged in the rebellion, on condition of their taking an oath of allegi- ance,

The provisional governor arrived at Gal- veston at the end of July. He was clothed with the power to reorganize the State government, assemble a convention of citi- zens who had taken the amnesty oath, and provide for the election of representatives to the national Congress, State, district and county officers were appointed, and under the circumstances Governor Hamil- ton gave general satisfaction. The anti- Union portion of the community, how- ever, began to grow anxions as they watched the action of the president. It was feared by them that Hamilton was more an agent of Johnson than the real governor of Texas, and the leniency dis- played toward the Confederates could only be regarded by the keen observer as ex- ceedingly friendly toward them.

The all absorbing question was the future condition of the freedmen. Were they to enjoy the rights of citizenship

LIMESTONE, FREESTONE AND LEON COUNTIES.

and the elective franchise, or be regarded merely as aliens? On January 31, 1865, the House of Representatives had adopted the thirteenth amendment of the national Constitution, which had already passed the Senate during the preceding session, and there was no doubt that future legisla- tion would be directed toward securing to the freedmen all the rights of citizenship.

The Unionists in Texas were placed in a peculiar position. They were looked npon as traitors to their country, and many out- rages committed upon them by disbanded Confederate soldiers. In the courts jus- tice was warped to favor those who had fonght for home and country in the South.

At the beginning of the war there were about 275,000 slaves in Texas, and during its progress about 125,000 more were sent thither from the Southern States, to secure them from the Federal forces. Thus at the close of the war there was a slave population of 400,000 in Texas. As soon as General Granger took military posses- sion of Texas he proclaimed the emancipa- tion of the slaves, and at once a great surging movement of the hitherto servile population took place. The negroes could not fully realize that they possessed their freedom without practical proof that such was the case. They left the plantations on which they had toiled so long, and roamed in crowds from place to place in assertion of their new right; they flocked to the Freedmen's Bureau for registration; and a tide of black men who had been brought to Texas during the war set in toward Louisiana in search of their old homes, to which they were anxious to return. During

their journey they mnet with much suffer- ing. A deep bitterness was entertained toward them by their former masters, who tried to constrain them to remain on the plantations, and numbers of them were killed.

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A memorial and biographical history of Navarro, Henderson, Anderson, Limestone, Freestone and Leon counties, Texas from the earliest period of its occupancy to the present time, together with glimpses of its prospects; also biographical mention of many of the pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 7

Author: Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 954

Author:
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 954