USA > Texas > The Confederate capital and Hood's Texas brigade > Part 31
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These duties were soon brought to a close by an appoint- ment as second lieutenant in the ad cavalry, a new regimea: or- ganized by act of Congress, in 1855, commanded by Colonel Albert Sidney Johnston. with R. E. Lee as lieutenant colonel. . George Thomas and W. J. Hardee as majors. Lieutenant Philip Sheridan relieved him, and he returned to San Francisco, en route
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to Jefferson Barracks Missouri, the rendezvous of his regiment. Here he met, in his bank, W. T. Sherman.
Thus early was he thrown with the men who were destined to be engaged on different sides of the most desperate contest that has ever engaged the attention of the American people-men who afterwards became distinguished actors in the military drama -- rendered immortal by their skill and valor.
While at Jefferson Barracks he received his share of the profits of the wheat crop-one thousand dollars in gold.
In November he marched with his regiment to Fort Belknap, Texas (no railroads at that time), reaching his destination in De- cember. Camp Cooper was established soon after upon the Clear Fork of the Brazos.
The government had under advisement the construction of a fort, and Colonel Lee was in the habit of riding over the coun- try in search of a suitable location, taking some of his officers along to get their opinion with regard to establishing a military post.
Lieutenant Hood frequently accompanied him on these excur- sions, and here he spent a most delightful season of enjoyment. galloping over the beautiful prairies, breathing the balmy air. in the association with cultured gentlemen. Here was formed the attachment between Generals Lee and Hood which was never interrupted throughout their lives, -the young officer listening to his elder's words of wisdom and gauging his conduct by the high standard of morality set up for his emulation by the living example of the model gentleman who was his daily companion. Perhaps more than any other, this association had a directing influence upon his future, as all who knew General Hood are familiar with his keen sense of honor-his high-bred avoidance of the debasing vices that cast a blemish upon many human characters.
He was ordered to Fort Mason, near the Llano river, during the latter part of this year. On July 5, 1857, he left the fort, in command of twenty-five men, on a scouting expedition, in search of Indians. Provided with thirty days rations, an Indian guide and compass, the party traversed the country between the Concho rivers and Mexico, struck a trail and followed the red men in spite of the desert country, or Staked Plains which lay beyond, the scarcity of water for their canteens, and danger of getting so fir into the wilderness. Orders had been received at camp from Washington before they left that a party of Tonkaway Indians were expected at the reservation, would raise a white flag as signal of their approach, and it must be respected.
Lieutenant Hood came up with the Indians, and as they raised a white flag, he did not attack.
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Suddenly the wily foe threw down their treacherous signal and commenced firing. The struggle commenced and grew des- perate, the Indians fighting hand to hand. Their ammunition was all expended, the ground, covered with a growth of Spanish daggers, strewn with the dead and wounded. Two of the seuat- ing party were killed and several wounded, amongst the latter was Lieutenant Hood, having his hand pinned to his bridle with an arrow. The attacking party were Comanches and Lipaus. The howl of distress from the Indians indicated they had fought long enough, and when night approached they gathered up the dead and wounded and moved toward the Rio Grande. The troop returned to Fort Mason.
General Twiggs, commanding the department, said officially: "Lieutenant Hood's affair was a gallant one, and much credit is due to both officer and men." The Indians lost nineteen war- riors.
After his return to Fort Mason he was promoted first lieuten- ant and placed on duty at Camp Colorado.
In 1858 he established Camp Wood on the Nueces river, and continued there until, while on leave of absence in November, IS60, he was ordered to report for duty as chief of cavalry at West Point. He went to Washington and asked to be relieved from the order, stating he feared war would soon be declared, in which event he preferred to act with freedom.
Colonel Cooper, adjutant-general, exclaimed: "Mr. Hood, you surprise me. This is a post and position sought by every soldier."
He, however, acceded to his request, and, before his leave of absence expired, hostilities were declared.
He returned at once to Texas, parting with his command at Indianola, bidding his comrades a reluctant farewell, but duty to his native South seemed paramount to that he owed the United States government.
Becoming convinced no action would be taken in a decided manner by Kentucky, he proceeded to Montgomery, Ala., then the seat of Confederate government, and offered his sword to its service.
He was ordered to report to Colonel R. E. Lee at Richmond. in command of State troops by authority of the governor of Vir- ginia.
All these circumstances explain General Hood's affection for Texas and his preference, on all occasions, for Texas troops, He had visited, during his five years' service on the Texas frontier, many portions of the beautiful country, was impressed. with its vast, undeveloped resources, and had determined, when tired of
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military lite, to make it bis home. He entered the service from Texas, and always spoke of it as his adopted home.
Colonel Lee seat him at once to Yorktown to report t& Colonel Magruder, who assigned him to the command of some cavalry companies with the rank of major.
After the battle of Bethel, he led his men into the swamp and attacked the Federals upon the spot where Colonel Drew. of the Louisiana battalion, had been killed. While here, annoying with his cavalry the troops in the vicinity of Fortress Monroe, he was appointed lieutenant-colonel, and, in September, was summoned to Richmond, appointed colonel and directed to organize the 4th Texas regiment of infantry, which had arrived from that State, and were lying in camp near the city, at a place styled "Camp Texas."
His distinguished services have been duly recorded in this work. When given the command of the Western army, he suf- fered under the most disadvantageous circumstances. The men were never united under any one leader; were dissatished and disheartened by continued retreating; demoralization was already at work, causing desertion by hundreds, and making the position exceedingly difficult to All with credit to himself or honor to the cause.
When relieved of his command at his own request, after the sad finale of turning over the troops to his successor, he pro- ceeded to Richmond, and was cheered by the confidence of Presi- dent Davis and General Lee, who commissioned him to bring to the assistance of that general all troops from the Trans- Mississippi Department who would follow him. While en route under these orders, he received the painful news of the surrender at Appo- mattox, but continued his journey until he learned of General Kirby Smith's disbandment in the Trans- Mississippi Department. May 31. 1865, he rode into Natchez, and offered to surrender his sword to Major-General Davidson, who, courteously bade him to retain it, and allowed him to proceed on his way to New Or- leans.
General Frank Blair said of him: "The great fault of both Johnston and Hood was that they did not have men enough to contend with Sherman's army. It was natural enough, after the failure of General Johnston to check our advance, other tactics should be employed, and no man could have been found sho could have executed this policy with greater skill, ability and vigor than General Hood.'
His occupation was now gone. All his life a military man, when the Confederacy became only a dream of the past, it was difficult to get accustomed to the situation, to bring his mind
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into the narrow limits of the ordinary business affairs of ife. To do this, after handling armies, required more than Spartan courage.
Forming a company with other distinguished Southern gente. men, he entered into the insurance business. but the profits were not remunerative and they dissolved, he being only an agent afterwards for other companies until the time of his death.
He married in New Orleans, after the war, Miss Hennes, daughter of a once distinguished jurist, who possessed ad those refined womanly traits of character calculated to make the sun total of man's earthly happiness, while a group of lovely chil en gathered around their hearth-stone of whom any parents ztest be proud.
Thus the years passed on, sarrounde 1 by the teu lerest jors of earth, until, in an evil hour, disease laid its hand upon the vite and mother, and she died suddenly of yellow fever.
Just three weeks afterwards, the brave general, the aste friend, the loving father, followed the faithful wife to that land where the weary are at rest and loved ones are again united.
Tortured with the realization of the destitute and helpless con- dition of his young children (one of whom died the same day as the father), remembering all the devotion of his okl soldiers he bequeathed to them a touching legacy, saying: "I leave my children to Hood's Texas Brigade."
The whole country was shocked at the misfortune that had overtaken these doubly-orphaned ones, and the brigade accepted the trust in good faith.
Mrs. Hennen, their grandmother, came to Austin, Texas, and selected for them a home, the brigade having made arrangements to care for and educate them properly, but it was decreed other- wise.
Just before the preparations for removal were complete the grandmother died, and the guardians appointed by her . ect ted to accept the invitation of wealthy citizens North and South. who formally adopted the little ones as their own, promising to make them heirs of their fortunes.
The brigade submitted to this arrangement, not through iny desire to shirk the responsibility, but because with their broken fortunes and decimated numbers, the future interests of the child- ren were better secured.
In looking over the record of this man amongst men. == are struck with the nobility of purpose, the faith in his own porvers, the belief in the justice of the cause, the wonderful perseverance be displayed, and the powerful will subservient to his contro".
Wounded in the arm which was never entirely sound after-
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wards, with the loss of a limb, amputated by one of the most difficult operations, destined to walk only on crutches, he con- ceived and carried out the Western campaign, which only lacked success to place it among the rest of his remarkable exploits, he ever evinced the indomitable spirit which reigned in the bosom of General Lee.
His remains lie in Washington Street Cemetery, New Orleans, in the tomb with his wife and young daughter, with only a plain marble slab to mark the spot and tell to passers-by a great man's ashes there moulder into decay, the tablet bearing only the in- scription:
JOHN BELL HOOD, GENERAL IN THE LATE CONFEDERATE ARMY.
Born June 29, 1831, at Owensville, Kentucky. Died, August 30, 1879.
While visiting New Orleans the writer made a pilgrimage to the spot where the silence of the cemetery is undisturbed by any sound save the breeze stirring the leaves of the trees, from whose branches the long moss hangs in graceful drapery, and where only a bright colored rose stands sentinel above the head of the fallen brave.
I gazed at the bronze statue of General Lee, erected as a monument of his matchless genius, at the intersection of two streets in the busy marts of the city, visited Metaire Cemetery and stood within the tomb of the Louisiana soldiers from the Army of Northern Virginia, bearing upon the summit in granite the life-size statue of General Jackson, and a great hope sprung up that some time in the future we would have General Hood's statue in our State capitol grounds.
So proud to claim his connection with Texans we would have the marble speak in mute eloquence the story of our affection, placing his record before the world with grateful remembrance.
There is a monument at Austin, Texas, not reared with blocks of stone, which would be prized by the great hero himself as a beautiful tribute to his life and services -- the Confederate Home for veterans of the war.
This enterprise stands as a perpetual memorial, began by the John B. Hood Camp. Confederate Veterans, which round a small nucleus of devoted hearts, gained headway under difficulties, the means for purchasing the property and keeping it in opera- tion the result alone of private donations from the people, men, wrc men and children.
The last session of the legislature adopted it as a State insti-
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tution, receiving it from the Camp as a sacred trust, and placing it forever beyond want, where more than eighty invalid soldiers find a permanent home, freed from harassing care and anxiety for a helpless future. Six of these were members of Hood's Texas Brigade, disabled from arduous service in the Army of Northern Virginia.
"Honor and glory were given to cherish; Cherish these then, though all else decay, Landmarks be these, that are never to perish, Stars that will shine on the duskiest day."
Deep down in the heart is the belief that when the roll of centuries is called, if the scattered remnant of the old brigade christened with the name of their beloved leader, will only re- main faithful to the principles that actuated his life, as one by one they "cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees" they will receive the welcome plaudit from the Count- mander of the Universe: "Well done good and faithful ser- vant." They will then with clearer vision, read from the book of fate, and understand that the "Lost Cause," with its fearful baptism of blood and tears, and terrible sacrifice of life, has not been in vain, if it has led them up the rugged heights of the "Sweet by and by." "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
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GOV. FRANK R. LUBBOCK.
This distinguished Texan merits more than a passing notice. as a member of President Davis staff, companion of Et- capture, and life-long friend of the man he ever held in veneration and respect.
He was born at Beaufort, South Carolina, educated a: Beau- fort College, and was undergoing an examination for W'est Point when the death of his father necessitated his remaining at home with his mother, as the eldest of a family of young children. Entering into business at an early age, he evinced great energy. and was induced to go to New Orleans, where he successfully conducted the drug business, and where he married a most charming and cultivated girl, when only nineteen years of age.
Texas was attracting much attention just then, and be came to Velasco with a cargo of arms, ammunition and our, and threw his fortunes with the new country, then struggling for in- dependence.
After the war was over, and Texas a republic, he brought his wife to Houston, where, in January, 1837, with Judge Franklin, Mosley Baker, J. K. Allen, and others, they located and built the first houses. This point had been selected as the seat of government, and the following spring the archives were removed and an extra session of Congress called.
Mr. Lubbock was elected assistant clerk of the Congress, and the following year, clerk. He was then elected comptroller; district clerk of Harris county for sixteen years; secretary of Democratic convention, etc. At the Waco convention, in 1857, he was nominated, on the second ballot, for lieutenant-governor. In 1861, he was elected governor.
"During his two year,' term, he was a constant worker to es- tablish the independence of the Confederate States, and preserv- ing the peace and quiet of the frontier of Texas."
In January, 1863, he refused re-election as governor. preferring to cast his lot with the army. He was commissioned as lieuten- ant colonel, and assigned to duty with General Magruder: then with General Wharton, in command of all cavalry forces in Texas, with whom he served until the close of the Louisiana campaiga.
In July, 1861, President Davis summoned him to Richmond. making him one of his aids, with the rank of colonel of cavalry. .
The service was accepted. He went to Richmond, and was
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actively engaged in such a manner as to receive the commenda- tions of the executive.
Captured with his chieftain, after the surrender of the Confed- erate armies, in company with Judge Reagan and other offofals. he was taken to Fortress Monroe. thence to bort Delaware. where he was kept in solitary confinement upward of seven months be- fore being released.
After returning to Texas, he engaged in business at Houston, made a trip to Europe, and was active in all enterprises for the advancement of his beloved South.
In 1876, he was elected State treasurer, which position he held without rivalry until, in 1890. he refused re-election, deciding to spend the remnant of his days freed from the trammels of office.
No man ever lived in Texas possessing more of the confidence of the people than this honorable, high-toned gentleman of the old school.
In a private letter to the writer, after President Davis' death, he said: "You know how proud I was of having served under him, and my devotion to him and his family obtained for me a warm place in the hearts of himself. his wife and children. I vowed never to desert his fortunes, but to remain with him to the bitter end; our mutual friend. Judge Reason, did the same. I also determined that, unless Providence prevented, I would be present at his burial, to pay the last sad tribute to the greatest and best man of the century.
"I was enabled to be there. Never again will there be in the South such an outpouring of people, not from curiosity, but from love and respect.
"After the funeral, there was a meeting of the soldiers of the Army of Northern Virginia presided over by General J. B. Gordon, governor of Georgia. There were eight Sonthern gor- ernors present, many ex-Confederate generals, etc .- a very large meeting.
"Having served as pallbearer, I was very much fatigued and worn out with the excitement of the day, and would not have attended, but a friend insisted I should be present. After speeches by governors, and others, I was called on, with no inti- mation whatever of such a purpose. I afterwards wrote out my remarks, as nearly as I could recall them, by request, and enclose yon a copy:
"" "HONORABLE COMRADES: - What can I adl to the beautiful and patriotic speeches that have been made to- night by the dis- tinguished veterans assembled to do honor to the memory of our . illustrious chieftain, and to provide for his devoted wife and children.
" .I must, however, venture to utter a few words to give relief
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to my aching heart. Standing in the rotunda of the grand.cap- itol at Austin, Texas, when the news announced that Jefferson Davis had passed over the river, from the fullness of my heart I said: "Jefferson Davis dead! Then the light of the greatest and best man of the century has been extinguished. Jefferson Davis, the embodiment of patriotism, the true soldier, the intelligent statesman, the ripe scholar, the refined gentleman, and, above all, the earnest follower of Christ!"'
" 'Sirs, it was my good fortune to be most intimately connected with this great and noble man, just after I left the office of gov- ernor for the Confederate army. Jefferson Davis, without the slightest knowledge on my part of his intention to do so, hon- ored me by nominating me as colonel of cavalry and aid-de-camp to himself.
" 'I reported to him as fast as horse and rail could take me to Richmond, and I served with him, in his mihtary family, to the bitter end.
" 'I had previously known Mr. Davis; and to know him, was to admire the many qualities that marked him as a great man.
" 'From closest contact, I soon learned to love him for his 110- ble manhood, his devotion to his country, his earnestness in the discharge of the great trusts committed to his hands by a devoted and admiring people, and for the tender care of those connected with him, his suavity to his inferiors in rank, his fair dealing in all things with all men. I loved him for his great heart.
"'I took pleasure in being near him and listening to his con- versation, so full of intelligence, so chaste, so elegant, and there was soul in it all.
" 'My comrades, he was a great man; the greatest, all in all, this century has produced.
"'They say he is dead! My comrades, he is beyond our sight, but he is not dead. He lives in the spirit land. He lives with Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Albert Sidney Johnston, and others of our true, pure men; as the distinguished bishop said to-day: "When the roll call is made in heaven, Jefferson Davis answers, 'here.' "
" 'Yes, we all know such as he make up the kingdom of heaven.
"'He is not dead, he lives a higher life. He is not dead, though we have laid him in the tomb, for he lives in our hearts, and he will ever live in the hearts of our children.
"'Commander: Comrades: I approve and endorse the resolu- tions offered by our distinguished comrade, General Stephen D. Lee, and will do all in my power to aid in carrying them into effect.' "
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ADDRESSES AT THE BRENHAM REUNION IN ISS ..
At the reunion of Hood's brigade at Brenham, Texas, Hoa. D. C. Giddings, of that place, welcomed them in the name of the people of Washington county:
"We feel honored by your presence, and would we be if we were not ready to extend to you that welcome which your con- duct so richly merits at the hands of the people of Texas? Wie welcome you, too, because your presence will tend to dissipate the error that the reunion of the two armies will tend to keep alive the animosities of the late war. Had the matter of issue in that war been left to a vote of the soldiers of the two parties. or even of the Union soldiers, a peaceful solution would have followed and much bloodshed been saved. Success is the meas- ure of merit. Had you been successful, the world would have rang with peans of your praise. But as you fought in a lost cause, we of the South claim the right to pay you tribute. All honor to the men who fought on both sides, whether they wore the blue or the gray. Their blood and their ashes mingle in the same soil, and together have nourished the beauteous flowers that grow on their mounds. Washington county welcome to her borders the soldiers of the Lost Cause and just as warmly welcomes the honest soldiers of the Union."
Major John M. Hendenson, of Bryan, on behalf of the brigade, responded as follows:
"FELLOW CITIZENS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- I feel it a pleasing task to return, however feebly, our gratitude for this splendid ovation, but who would have expected less from the people of old Washington county, from whence went forth to the battle-fields of Virginia, two of the thirty companies which com- posed Hood's Texas Brigade.
"We have met again, fellow-soldiers, after an interval of a year. As is our custom, we have come together from every portion of our beautiful State to hold our annual reunion. For the time being the busy cares of life are forgotten; the farmer has left his plow: the mechanic his shop; the merchant his store: the stock- man his ranch; the lawyer and physician their office, and the remnant of Hood's Texas Brigade have assembled together. May I inquire for what purpose are we here? I know it has been said that the object of these organizations is to foster and keep alive
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the animosities of the late war. By others it has been charged that they have a political significance.
' Comrades, we have met for a nobler purpose. We have as. sembled together in social reunion, and our hearts go cht to one another over the sacred recollections of the past. We are sc :- diers of the Lost Cans., but we feel we subered no disbonor : defeat, and we are here to cement afresh ties that were welded amid scenes that tried men's souls. To-day, where we cow stand, the mystic chords of memory are touched, we look back across the lapse of nearly twenty years and recall our share of that san- guinary drama which drenched this land with fraternal blood.
"It is unnecessary that I should do more than allude to the career of the Texas brigade in Virginia, for you, my countrymez. are familiar with its achievements. There was scarcely a battle of importance fought from Eltham's Landing to Appomattox, is which it was not engaged, and in sotie, it bore a conspicuous part.
"At Eltham's Landing it successfully ai led in covering the flank of our army on its retreat from Yorktown; and such was the bravery of the ist Texas regiment on that occasion: that Gen- eral Smith, the division commander, said of it: 'Had he twenty thousand such men he would undertake a successful invasion of the North.'
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