Hunt Continues For Civil War Veterans and Stories

The 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War is here. Texans played an important role in the war effort in terms of manpower and leadership. It produced a general, it was the adopted home of a lieutenant general, three major generals, thirty-two brigadier generals and almost on hundred colonels. As for troups, the Lone Star State supplied the cause with forty-five regiments of cavalry, twenty-three regiments of infantry, twelve battalions of cavalry, four battalions of infantry, one regiment of heavy artillery, and three light artillery batteries. There were twenty-eight infantry regiments and two legions that remained under state control. There was even a company of the 32nd Texas Volunteer Cavalry that mustered in Pleasanton in March of 1862.

The Atascosa County Historical Commission and a group of interested citizens has formed a committee to locate and mark as many veteran graves, Confederate and Union, as they can find. In addition, they would like to collect stories of the men who served, and the home front stories. What went on at home while the men were off fighting? We want to know who signed up to protect the women and children from the Indians. We also want to know about the Tejanos who fought in the war.

If you have a story to share, give us a call. We'll help you with the research and we'll help you write it, if you need it. If you know where a veteran of the Civil War is buried within the county call us. Barbara Westbrook 830 769-4333 or Norman Porter 830 569-2680.


Source: Ashcraft,Allan C., Texas in the Civil War: A Resume History,Texas Civil War Centennial Commission, January 1962, Austin, Texas