Hopkins Co. TX - Jesse C. Garrett From: June E. Tuck ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** GARRETT, JESSE C. - On Friday evening, April 11, 1919, Jesse C. Garrett died at his residence some 14 miles southeast of Cumby, surrounded by his wife and children after a period of almost helplessness and much suffering, the spirit of Jesse C. Garrett ascended to its maker. Uncle Jesse was one of the leading citizens of Miller Grove. Burial was made at the Clifton cemetery in Rains County. He was 75 years old and is survived by his wife, three sons and three daughters. The following was added by R. W. Harris of Cumby On June 19, 1837, within sight of the historic church at Shiloh, McNair Co., Tennessee, where on April 6th and 7th, 1862, one of the most sanguinary engagements of the Civil War was fought and where Albert Sidney Johnson was wounded, this good man first saw the light of day. His parents, who were farmers, moved in 1842, to Tishomingo Co., Mississippi, and in 1848, fired with the Western fever and a desire to cast their fortunes with the Lone Star State, left their Mississippi home and located in Upshur Co., Texas. In 1850, the family moved to Hopkins County and settled on land that was owned by Mr. Garrett at his death. While they still retained the land in 1854, the family moved about two miles south on a tract of land situated in Rains county, where Mr. Garrett lived about two years, then moved to Kaufman County, where he remained a short time, thence settling in Goliad County for a time. During a part of this time he served as a member of the Texas Frontier Force, engaged in protecting the citizens from the Indians, who at that time roamed over the greater part of this state. In the summer of 1859 he moved back to his former Hopkins County home, where he has lived ever since. His intention was to enter school at this time, but the disturbed condition of the country was such that this matter fell through and he never received his contemplated schooling. Some time later in the year 1859, Mr. Garrett hauled a wagon load (ox wagon) of hewed logs to this place, then known far and wide over the state as Black Jack Grove, and spent the night here in a boarding house run by Jim Brown. This house that Brown used as a hotel had never been completed and was only partly weather-boarded. Later on, on one occasion, he came to Black Jack Grove and joined a command under Captain Merit Branom on an expedition against the Indians who had recently committed some depredations only a few miles to the northwest. They succeeded in dispersing the Indians, killing several of them and driving the remainder to the far West. When the war clouds looked dark and threatening and it was seen that armed conflict would result between the North and the South, Mr. Garrett through the impetuosity of his young manhood went in defense of his beloved Southland. During the summer of 1861, the formation of a company of young men for service in the Confederate Army was begun at this place and on July 3rd of that year it was mustered into service here, being known as Co. K of the 9th Texas Cavalry. On that memorable day, when the citizenship of this section from far and near was gathered here to bid the boys God speed in their undertaking, and to say the last good bye to many a one. After the company had effected organization by electing Jim Williams, Captain; Mose Bowen, 1st Lieutenant (father-in-law of E. M. Tate of Sulphur Springs;) Merit Branom, 2nd Lieutenant; and Charley Mount, 3rd Lieutenant. This man Mount was first cousin to Charley Cate, father of Dr. W. R. Cate of Commerce. A young lady by the name of Texana Kimbrell, in an eloquent speech, brim full of patriotic fervor, presented, in behalf of the ladies of this section, a beautiful silk Confederate battle flag. This speech and this flag was presented from in front of the old Wharton house that for many years stood where the residence of Geo. W. Holland now stands. Among those who joined the company on that day and who are well known here might be mentioned: Fletcher Young, Hugh Tilson, Cal Dial, John Alexander, John N. Harris, J. F. Stewart, Bill Rippy, Mart Williams, Jesse Garrett, M. M. Green, Raisin Dickson, Jim DeLay, Joe Young, John and Cal Rollins, B. F. Stevens, F. A. Travilion, Hi Bowen, Jno. Moreland, Dick Miller, Jim Darnell, Tom Burns, and many others. It is thought among all this host, the only ones that now remain are M. M. Green of this place, F. A. Travilion of near Miller Grove, and John N. Harris of Rush Springs, Oklahoma. Referring to the old flag above mentioned, it was carried all through the war by Major Dial, and at his death was turned over to Mr. Garrett, in whose possession it was at his death. Mr. Garrett saw much service in the war and participated in the following battles: Elkhorn, Corinth, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Franklin, Iuka, Kennesaw Mountain, Marietta, Atlanta and Jonesboro. He was wounded in the Jonesboro fight, and while convalescent, was sent back to his old home near Shiloh, when as soon as his strength would permit joined Gen. Bedford Forrest^Òs command and assisted in the capture of Fort Pillow. He has a saber given him by Gen. Forrest that had been used by Forrest in an encounter with a Federal Colonel at Fort Pillow, and in which the Federal officer lost his life. In giving this sword to Mr. Garrett, General Forrest said to him, "I want to give this sword to some man who will use it, and by God, you look like you would do it." When the war ended, Mr. Garrett was engaged in attempting to enlist another company of troops so he never surrendered. Since those days he has lived a quite life in the extreme southern part of this county, looking after his farming interests and doing his part towards making this country a better place to live in. While he never had political inspirations, for one or two terms in the early 1890's, he served the county faithfully and efficiently as county commissioner. In reviewing the life of this man, one can truly say, that if all men were like he was, there would be no need for jails or courthouses, and every man^Òs word would be as good as his bond. (Hopkins County Echo, April 25, 1919)