University of Texas at San Antonio Civil War Diaries

On account of the very brief space allotted me to write. I shall con -fine myself to the most stir -ing incidents and of all the Army. Speak more especially of the Brigade and of the Brigade more especially of the 5th Texas Since from my point of observa -tion I would not be justified in detailing the active part taken by all. The course of greatness of the Brigade began on the re treat from Yorktown Virginia during the spring of 62 hence I will but speak a word or two in regard to the time a sparing between the departure of the Texans from Texas for Virginia and the time when

laurels of victory. But ask them now if their fond hopes have been realized, and if they have yet met hand to hand in bloody encounter their countrys enemy and with a tear trickling slowly down their check. They will point with emotion of sorrow to the man. g green marches run from "El thams Landing" to "Gettysburg" where departed Texans lie. Whose lives have been sacrificed upon a [strn -ger?] soil in a noble cause. The 20 companies had a diffi -cult trip across the Calcasieu, a swampy country in LA, from Sabine River to Bayou Teche. They left Texas in August 61 for Virginia in detachments of 5

in their advance had went to Virginia on their "own hook" be -for the 1st battle of Manassas Davis L Wigfall of Texas was the Col, upon our arrival he was made Brig Genl and put in command of the three TXs regt. JC McLeod of Galveston Texas Then became Col of 1st Rainey Maj Lt Col, and Black Maj. The Brigade was ordered to the Potomac where winter [?] were enacted and the winter spent. Nothing of importance transpired during the winter, other than disease, laid many a noble and gallant form beneath the sod, and robed Texas of many proud sons, and valiant soldiers

and they now had an opportunity of testifying their devotion to their country, by bravery on the field of battle. During the winter Genl Wigfall was elected C.S. Senator from Texas, for which Texas has our thanks. Thinly rid -ing us of a bragadacio, and causing to be placed at our head. The great and gallant Hood. The leader of the "Virginin Texans." Thus were we prepared for the in -suing spring campaign in which we hoped to add another luster to that soldier that pleased us mightly at "San Jacinto." Truly were we ready to raise the shout of defiance, and strike for homes & loved ones

a position, and lay for three hours, under a very severe gun boat fire, of grape and canister. Thus did the "Texas Brigade," number -ing some 35,000 men, whip & drive back a Yankee corps (Franklins) of 20,000, which had they been brave men, and not mercenary soldiers, and had they been fighting in a righteous cause, might have destroyed our army. Texas need not blush at the work of her sons, on 5th May 62. The loss of the whole brigade was 40 odd. The 1st Texas loosing more than any other. The Yanks showing no dis -position to again try their experi -ment of cuting off our army. We left our close proximity to their gun boats, and returned to our