Texas Almanac, 1994-1995 Page: 76
672 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
76 Texas Almanac 1994-1995
Demographics of Confederate Congressmen
Member Home U Nativity
Ua 3 $
Baylor, John H. Weatherord, Parker County 2 5 0.88 42 Kentucky
Branch, A. M. Huntsville, Walker County 1 3 0.88 40 Virginia
Darden, S. H. Gonzales, Gonzales County 1 1 0.88 48 Mississippi
Graham, Malcolm D. Henderson, Rusk County P 5 1.8C 35 Alabama
Gray, Peter W. Houston, Harris County P 3 1.8 43 Virginia
Gregg, John Fairfield, Freestone County P al 0.57 33 Alabama
Hemphill, John Austin,Travis County P al 0.91 58 South Carolina
Herbert, C. C. Eagle Lake, Colorrado County 1 2 2 3.08 48 Virginia
Morgan, Simpson H. Clarksville, Red River County 2 6 0.62 42 Tennessee
Ochiltree, William B. Nacogdoches County P al 1.03 50 North Carolina
Oldham, Williamson S. Brenham, Washington County P 1 2 als 4.11 48 Tennessee
Reagan, John H. Palestine, Anderson County al 1.03 43 Tennessee
Sexton, Franklin B. San Augustine, San Augustine Co. T. 30834 Indiana
Waul, T. N. Gonzales, Gonzales County & a 1.03 48 South Carolina
Wigfall, LouisT. Marshall, Harrison County P 1 2 als 4.11 45 South Carolina
Wilcox, John A. San Antonio, Bexar County 1 2 1 2.0 43 North Carolina
Wright, W. B. Paris, Lamar County 1 6 1.8 32 Georgia
NOTE:Three members died in office: John Hemphill in 1862, Simpson Morgan in 1864 and John Wilcox in 1864.
Wilcox was replaced in a special election by S. H. Darden, who served only in the second session of the Second
Congress. John Gregg was killed in action in 1864 after leaving Congress. ABBREVATIONS: P = Provisional Con-
gress; numeral indicates first or second congress; at = at large; ats = senator, selected by the legislature. Tenure is
given in years.
Texans in the Confederate Congress
This article was written by Mike Kingston, editor of the Texas AlmanacTexans began to take the formal steps toward
secession from the Union at a secession conven-
tion beginning on Jan. 28, 1861. On Feb. 2, the
secession ordinance was passed. Before the con-
vention recessed on Feb. 4, seven delegates were
chosen to attend the Confederate provisional
congress being held in Montgomery, Ala. Fifty
delegates from seven states already had gathered
to begin setting up a provisional government.
The Montgomery congress was a unicameral
body. Before it completed its business, delegates
would slog through five sessions, with the last
three held in Richmond, Va., the capital of the
new Confederacy.
Most Texas delegates arrive in Montgomery in
time to participate in part of the first session of
the Confederate Congress. On Feb. 7. 1861. a
committee reported on a provisional constitution
that was adopted the following day. At the same
time, Jefferson Davis was named president and
Alexander H. Stephens, vice president. John
Gregg of Fairfield was the first Texan to partici-
pate in the deliberations, taking the oath of office
on Feb. 15. Four days later, T.N. Waul of Gonza-
les Joined him. By March 11 the remainder of
the delegation was on the Job, except for Louis T.
Wigfall of Marshall, who did not arrive until April
29. Consideration of a permanent constitution
took place between Feb. 26 and March 11.
Thereafter the delegates worked on reconcilingUnited States' laws with the Confederate consti-
tution. In May, an election was called for the
first Wednesday in November to vote for presi-
dent and representatives to the new congress.
The seven delegates selected by the Texas
secession convention were all experienced in
public life. Five. Wigfall, John Hemphill of Aus-
tin, John H. Reagan of Palestine, Williamson S.
Oldham of Brenham and William B. Ochiltree of
Nacogdoches, had experience in either the U.S.
Congress or the Texas Legislature. Gregg was a
district Judge. and Waul had served in the
secession convention. All except Wigfall and
Waul eventually had counties named in their
honor.
For several of the delegates, the numerous
sessions of the provisional congress held little
appeal. Gregg and Ochiltree Ireturned early to
Texas to form fighting units. Gregg died in
action in October 1864. Waul organized a 2,000-
man unit known as Waul's Legion.
Hemphill unfortunately died in January 1862
before the provisional congress completed its
work. None of the delegates could be considered
representative of the average Texan of the day.
By modern standards many Texans would have
been considered poverty stricken. The gap
between the delegates elected in Texas and the
average state citizen grew as the Civil War pro-
gressed.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book 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 Book.
Kingston, Mike. Texas Almanac, 1994-1995, book, 1993; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth162513/m1/76/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.