The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 22, July 1918 - April, 1919 Page: 42
521 p. : ill. (some col.), ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
The Southwestern Hislorical Quarterly
to constitute the regiment, but more and more were enlisted until
the number reached 1170, an average of 117 to each company, and
others, I don't recall how many, were denied the privilege of
enlistment.
A Lieutenant Sparks, who had belonged to the United States
army if I mistake not, came authorized to administer the oath of
allegiance to. the Confederate States and enroll us as her soldiers.
A little incident happened at the time which showed the feelings
and determination of the men. They were lined up on three sides
of a hollow square (as I now remember). The enrolling officer in
the center asked this question, "Do you men wish to be sworn into
service for twelve months or for three years or for during the war ?"
With a unanimity never surpassed, a shout unheard of before, that
whole body of men shouted, "For the war," "For the war !" not
one expecting or caring to return until the war was over, long or
short, and the invaders had been driven from our borders.
And now the regiment is ready for service, as fine a, body as ever
mustered for warfare. The majority of them were college boys,
and cowboys, professional men, men with finished education, men
just out of college, others still under-graduates, men raised in the
saddles, as it were, experts with lariat and with six shooters, and
not a few from the farm, from the counting houses and from shops.
Just why the regiment did not elect field officers and become a
fully organized body of soldiers at Houston I never knew. In the
absence of this organization, the companies not being numbered or
lettered, each company was called by its captain's name. Ours
was Captain Strobel's company, and was sent forward as the van-
guard of the regiment toward the seat of war by Colonel Terry
who assumed command although he refused to be called Colonel
until he should be elected to the position by his men. The election
took place in Kentucky in December following.
The company was put in box freight cars and started eastward over
what was afterwards to be called the Sunset Route, which at that
time ran east from Eagle Lake, Colorado County, Texas, through
the city of Houston, to New Iberia, Louisiana.3 Our baggage and
3Mr. Blackburn's memory is slightly at fault here. The railroads ran
from Alleyton on the Colorado, a few miles northwest of Eagle Lake, to
HIarrisburg, and from Houston to, Beaumont, though the track of this
latter road was laid to Orange. See Atlas of OfficCl Records, Plate CLVII;
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 22, July 1918 - April, 1919, periodical, 1919; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117156/m1/50/?rotate=270: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.