3rd TEXAS CAVALRY REGIMENT, CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY
Also
known as a South Kansas - Texas Regiment recruited in north Texas
This page was copied from Ron Brothers
site and credit for most of the data and design are his. Other data has
been added from several books such as Douglas Hale’s, Third Texas
Cavalry and from material from John Rigdon
and his Eastern Digital Resources.
The Third Texas Cavalry Regiment was
recruited by Elkanah Greer, a farmer from Marshall,
in Harrison County. It was organized in Dallas on June 13, 1861, and
mustered into Confederate service at Dallas on June 13, 1861. Greer was elected
Colonel, Walter Paye Lane from Harrison County was Lt
Colonel and George W. Chilton from Smith County was elected Major.
The following were elected company
commanders by County and Company; Thomas W. Winston, Harrison, Co. A;
Robert H. Cumby, Rusk, Co. B; Francis M. Taylor, Cherokee, Co. C;
Stephen M. Hale, Hunt and Fannin, Co. D; Daniel
M. Short, St
Augustine and Shelby, Co. E; Isham Chism, Kaufman, Co. F; Hinche P.
Mabry, Marion, Co. G; Jonathan L. Russell, Upshur, Co. H; John Arthur Bryan,
Cass, Co. I; David Y. Gaines, Smith, Co. K. (See David Hale’s
book for better data and description of these captains.)
From this regiment came three brigadier
generals; Whitfield, Lane and Ector and Mabry who should have made general
under Forrest.
By
August the unit headed into the Indian Territory to fight for General McCullogh in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. Their
first battle was at Wilson's Creek, Missouri, where they woke on the 10th of
August 1861 to the sound of cannon fire of Union artillery and seeing Union
troops advancing. Though the regiment was thoroughly surprised and was
initially raddled, it managed to regroup. The Confederate forces drove the
Union forces back to Springfield, but failed to follow and crush them.
The regiment lost 6 killed, 23 wounded and 6 missing.
The 3rd’s next battle was in the Indian
Territories at Chustenahlah with a five company
detachment, led by Lt Colonel Lane, on December 26, 1861. This was the first
time the 3rd fought with the 6th and 9th Texas Cavalries, but it was not their
last. The Southern force quickly overcame a Union Indian force and ended
Union control of the IT for a couple of years, but the units did suffer some
hunger and extreme cold. The 3rd lost Lt Durham and 4 others.
Next the unit fought at Elkhorn Tavern
until General Van Dorn decided to retreat his forces after losing three senior
officers and running short of ammunition. The 3rd initially made a charge and
then was held in reserve. Col. Greer was the deputy commander of the western
side of the battle after the deaths of two generals and the capture of the
senior Colonel and did not learn this till late in the day. He sent runners to
Van Dorn's command and offered to fight on, but was too late.
April 1862, General Van Dorn decided to
dismount nearly all cavalry to fight as Infantry. In May all regiments
reorganized and R. H. Cumby was elected Colonel and Colonel Greer returned to
Texas because of his wounded arm suffered at Elkhorn Tavern. Lt Colonel Lane
resigned because he would not lead Infantry. H. P. Mabry was elected Lt Colonel
and J.J.A Barker was made Major. Because Cumby was ill, Lane stayed until Cumby
could command.
The regiment's next serious event was
deception in covering the retreat from Corinth. It went well except for the loss
of Major Barker, who on his horse became a main target, along with a few
others.
At the Battle of Iuka, Mississippi on
September 19, 1862, the 3rd ran head on into a Union division and lost 23 men
killed and 74 wounded, of the 388 men who were engaged. Captain
Green of Co. I was killed. Three other company commanders and Col.
Mabry, who had assumed command when Lane left, received wounds and were captured.
Two were quickly released by signing their paroles and were returned to their
unit. Mabry and one Lieutenant refused to sign the parole because it referred
to the “So called Confederacy”. They were paroled a year later. The unit retreated
by order of Van Dorn and the units continued to work toward Corinth. At
Corinth and Hatchie Bridge on October 3-5th, the unit did not get into the
battle as they were to far back in the reserve.
In
December after being remounted in late October 1862, the 3rd was attached to a
new brigade. This force to be led by Col. Whitfield of the 27th Texas Cavalry
Regiment was made up of the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 27th Texas Cavalries. Their first
operation was a raid to Holly Springs Union Supply Depot, and was led by an
acting brigade commander, John Summerfield Griffith of the 6th with Lt Col Jiles Boggess leading the 3rd.
The 3rd was detailed to seal off the town square. This they did well. Boggess was the only commander able to control his troops
when looting broke out. This raid led by General Van Dorn was one of the best
from the standpoint of it value and it strategic importance. The raid continued
on into Tennessee where troops destroyed the railroad track and did its best to
disrupt the communications of Grant. Following this the regiment returned to
Grenada. Coupled with General Forest's raid in Tennessee Grant's march toward
Vicksburg was slowed for many months and the war delayed for almost a year.
Next the regiment went with General Van
Dorn's Corps into Tennessee. As part of Whitfield's Brigade they assisted in
the destruction of a Union cavalry regiment at Thompson's Station. This was the
first time the brigade fought with General Forrest. Major Stone was the
commander during this period due to Lt Colonel Boggess
extended leave and Colonel Mabry still being in Union hands. They fought
several other skirmishes before Van Dorn was killed by a jealous husband.
Following this the corps was disbanded and the brigade returned to help at
Vicksburg, Mississippi.
The unit was deployed in picket and guard
duty, while a detachment of the 6th and the 3rd Mississippi led by Ross went to
eastern Tennessee to stop a Union raid. As part of Jackson's Division they were
assigned in Big Black River area between Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi as
a part of General Joseph Johnston's Army for the relief of Vicksburg. Before
this could happen General Pemberton surrendered and Vicksburg was lost.
Next they were part of the defense of
Jackson, Mississippi and the subsequent evacuation and escape of Johnston's
Army. Sherman’s Army was over 65,000 men.
The 3rd remained along
the Big Black River conducting small harassment raids in the Vicksburg area.
Morale suffered during this period, due to Whitfield’s health. Colonel Mabry
was the acting Brigade Commander for a short period, until he was transferred
to General Forest’s Division. In December General Sul Ross became commander of the Texas Cavalry Brigade. The
regiment began to find new life. They took part in smuggling several thousand
rifles across the Mississippi under Union noises. Under Ross none of the
regiments rested nor did the Union units along the Mississippi. The Brigade
operated along the Big Black and Yazoo Rivers in west central Mississippi. In
February 1864 the Brigade tried to stop Sherman's moves in Mississippi, but was
only able to harass such a large force. The regiment was more successful in
repelling attempts by Union regiments and river forces to capture Yazoo City.
In May they moved into northern Alabama to suppress Unionism and to collect
deserters.
May 15, 1864, the brigade was assigned to
the left flank of General Johnston's Army and began to skirmish almost daily
for the next one hundred days. One regiment would come off the line and another
would take its place. Because of the daily fighting, the regiments slowly lost
men until they began collapsing units, joining two companies together. Not all
men were killed. Many wounded and were left in homes and hospitals across
Georgia. From its arrival in Rome, Georgia on May 12th, until the siege of
Atlanta began on July 9th fighting and rain did not stop for any extended
period. During the siege they fought several sharp engagements at Lovejoy's
Station, Flat Shoals, Brown's Mill and Newman, Georgia.
While engaging with General McCook's Union Cavalry Corps the regiment with its strength
about 300 was over run and 23 men were captured and the horse holders scattered
and the horses were captured. This could have been a devastating defeat, were
it not for the bravery of the men, the size of the enemy force, and the fact the
unit came back together after being over run. Even Ross was captured for a
short period. Had the enemy not been running in fear, they could have
completely destroyed the Ross's Brigade. Most of the supplies, horses and
captured men were retrieved and the Brigade was able to refit.
Within two weeks it happened again as
Kilpatrick’s Union Division was placed in similar straits, but chose to charge
over Ross with the 3rd and 27th. Again they were on the edge of disaster. The
6th and 9th charged into the melee but to no avail. The 5000 man Union forces
just moved through capturing horses and men, but not slowing down. the 3rd had many officers and men captured. The units were
beginning to lack the manpower to take on big units. Many men and horses were
recovered as Jackson’s other regiments and chased the Union force back to Union
Lines.
After the fall of Atlanta, the Brigade
moved to attack Sherman's supply line on the railroad from Chattanooga,
Tennessee. Following this they joined Hood's force for an attack at Franklin
and Nashville, Tennessee. Here they were part of General Forest’s Corps, but
they were not in the vanguard of the fighting. Following Hood's loss at
Nashville, the regiment and brigade as part of Forest's Cavalry provided rear
guard for the Army, thus allowing Hood to retreat back into Alabama.
The Brigade moved back into Mississippi
and was only involved in minor skirmished until the end of the war. The
regimental strength was about two hundred men.
The Brigade was surrendered by Lieutenant General
Richard Taylor, commanding the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East
Louisiana, at Citronelle, Alabama on May 4, 1865. The regiment was released
about the 15th. Major Stone was the acting commander and led the regiment home.
None had lost so many, fought so hard, and received so little recognition. It
seems history has lost the 3rd. Those buried in the mass grave at Iuka, MS
Shady Oak Cemetery will receive remembrance during the Sesquicentennial. A 3rd
Living History Group will probably add to their remembrance when it occurs.
OFFICERS:
Elhanan Greer (Colonel) Not reelected in May 1862-returned to Texas made Brigadier
General-and is known for his work in the Knights of the Golden Circle.
J. J. A. Barker (Major)- Killed at Corinth 1 in Providing the rear guard for
Price’s Army.
Giles S. Boggess (Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel
) Commanded regiment after Colonel Mabry left till end of war.
George W. Chilton
(Major) – Not reelected
Robert H. Cumby
(Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel)- retired due to illness.
J. A. Harris (Major) This entry may be a mistake. No J. A. Harris has been found
in the rolls. Hannibal Harris was the QM officer and was not reelected in
May 1862.
Walter P. Lane
(Lieutenant Colonel) Retired in May 1862, did not want to command Infantry. Later made Brigadier General as Ranger Commander in Texas.
Hinchie P. Mabry (Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel) Chief officer in line to command brigade along with Ross, instead
transferred to Forest’s Division as brigade commander and later a Brevet Brigadier
General.
Absalom B. Stone (Major)
was the commander of Company A when elevated to Major
to replace Barker. During the move to Tennessee he was the acting commander
of the 3rd due to Col. Boggess extended leave and
Colonel Mabry’s detention by the Union for not signing his parole. He commanded
the troops during the Battle of Thompson’s Station and helped destroy the
Union Cavalry Regiment.
Mathew D. Ector (1st
Lieutenant Adjutant) Transferred in May 1862. Made commander
of the 14th Texas Cavalry. Later a Brigade Commander and
Brigadier General.
The 3rd Texas Cavalry Regiment Master Roster
Visit
the sites below for detailed new rosters including data for most soldiers.
3rd TEXAS CAVALRY - BELGIUM
A site developed by Confederate
kin in Belgium.
3rd
Texas Cavalry Regiment - Living History group in east Texas with more history
and Cavalry information and participation from the Lone Star Defenders
COMMAND ASSIGNMENTS:
June 1861
Department of Texas.
July 1861
Indian
Territory.
July - August 1861
McCulloch's
Brigade.
Aug - Sept 1861
Indian
Territory. Col. Young's
Regiment
Sept 1861 - Jan 1862
McCulloch's
Division, Department #2.
Jan 1862
McIntosh's
Brigade, McCulloch's Division Trans – Mississippi
Dist -Dept #2.
January - Mar 1862
McIntosh's
Brigade, McCulloch's Division, Trans - Mississippi District, Dept # 2
Mar - Apr 1862
Greer's
Cavalry Brigade, Price's Division, Trans – Mississippi District, Dept # 2
April 1862
Greer's
Cavalry Brigade, Army of the West, Department # 2
April - July 1862
Hebert's
Brigade, Price's - Little's Division, Army; of
the West, Department #2.
Sept - Oct 1862
Hebert's
Brigade, Little's - Hebert's - Green's Division, Price's Corps, Army of West
Tennessee, Department #2.
Oct - Dec 1862
Griffith's
- Whitfield's Cavalry Brigade, Maury's
Division, Price's Corps, Army of West Tennessee,
Department of Mississippi and East
Louisiana
Jan - Feb 1863
Whitfield's Brigade, 2nd Division, Van Dom's
Cavalry Corps, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana.
February 1863
Whitfield's Brigade, Jackson's Division, Van
Dom's Cavalry Corps, Department of Mississippi and East
Louisiana.
Feb - May 1863
Whitfield's Brigade, Jackson's Division, Van Dom's
Cavalry Corps, Army of Tennessee.
Jun - Jul 1863
Whitfield's Brigade, Jackson's Cavalry
Division, Department of the West.
Jul - Aug 1863
Whitfield's Brigade, Jackson's Cavalry
Division, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana.
Aug 63 - Jan 1864
Whitfield's
- Ross' Brigade, Jackson's Division, Leee's Cavalry Corps, Department of Mississippi
and East Louisiana.
Jan - May 1864
Ross'
Brigade, Jackson's Division, Lee's Cavalry Corps, Department of Alabama, Mississippi,
and East
Louisiana.
May - Jul 1864
Ross' Brigade, Jackson's Cavalry Division,
Army of Mississippi.
Jul 64 - Feb 1865
Ross' Brigade, Jackson's Cavalry Division, Army
of Tennessee.
Feb - May 1865
Ross' Brigade, Jackson's Division, Forrest's
Cavalry Corps, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East
Louisiana.
BATTLES and ENGAGEMENTS
August 10, 1861
Wilson's Creek
December 26, 1861
Chustenahlah, Indian Territory [five companies]
March 7 - 8, 1862
Pea
Ridge(Hard engagement)
April - June 1862
First
Corinth Campaign
September 19, 1862
luka(Large Losses)
October 3 - 4, 1862
Corinth(in reserve)
October 5, 1862
Hatchie Bridge (in support)
December 3, 1862
Oakland [skirmish]
December 20, 1862
Holly Springs Raid
December 21, 1862
Davis' Mills Raid
March 5, 1863
Thompson's Station
May - July 1863
Vicksburg Campaign
July 1863
Jackson Siege
December 24, 1863
Middleburg, TN
February - Mar 1864
Meridian Campaign
March 30, 1864
Snyder's Bluff
April 19, 1864
Marion County
May - Sept 1864
Atlanta
Campaign
July - Sept 1864
Atlanta Siege
July 28, 1864
Flat Shoals
July 30, 1864
Brown's Mill
July 30, 1864
Newnan
Oct 1864 - Jan 1865
Franklin - Nashville Campaign
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Barron, Samuel D. The Lone Star Defenders: A Chronicle of the
Third Texas Cavalry Regiment, Ross Brigade,
1906.
Cater, Douglas. As It Was: Reminiscences of
a Soldier of the Third Texas Cavalry and the
Nineteenth Louisiana Infantry, 1990. (State House
Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-938349-47-3.)
Crabb, Martha L., All Afire To Fight - The Untold Tale Of The Civil
War's Ninth Texas Cavalry, (Avon Books, 2000.)
Dornbush, Charles. Military Biography of the Civil War.
Vol. 11.
Griscom, George L. Lieutenant, Adjutant, Fighting With Ross' Texas Cavalry Brigade,
CSA,
A diary by Lt. Griscom. Hillsborough
Press, Texas; 1976.
Hale , Douglas. The Third Texas Cavalry in the Civil War, 1993. (Norman, OK:
University of Oklahoma Press, 1993, ISBN: 0-8061-2462-8.)
Hewitt, Janet B.,
Editor, Texas Confederate Soldiers 1861
- 1865, Unit Roster Volume II,
(Wilmington, NC, Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1997.)
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