Hunt County, Texas Obituary/Military: Maj. William M. Bush Copyright © 2005 by Bunny Freeman. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. ************************************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************************************ Confederate Veteran Magazine Vol. 8 No. 12 December 1900 Major William M. Bush Walter H. Bush, of Greenville, Tex,, sends a sketch of his father, and writes: He was very proud that he was a Confederate soldier, and nothing delighted him more than to meet the men who had passed through that trying time and relate their experiences. Just before he breathed his last he requested me to notify you and ask you to publish the fact, so that as many of his old comrades might know it as possible. Maj. W. M. Bush was born June 20, 1827, near Boonesboro, in Clark county, Ky., and was at the time of his death past seventy-three years old. On September 6, 1848, he was married to Miss Nancy G. Elkin. Four children were born of their union, two of whom yet live: Leslie W. Bush, of Allen, and Walter H. Bush, of Greenville, Tex. His wife died November 24, 1856, and he never married again. This sad event occurred the year following his removal to Texas. Two brothers (A. G. Bush, of Boonesboro, Ky., and J. B. Bush, of Monroe, Mo.) survive him. At an early age Maj. Bush connected himself with the Baptist Church, and lived an upright, Christian life. He was kind-hearted and liberal, and had many friends among all classes. At the early age of eighteen years he served in the war with Mexico. he volunteered at Winchester, Ky., in John S. William's company, and was a corporal. He participated in teh battles of Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo. The company lost heavily in these battles and by sickness. Maj. Bush and Jordan O. Straughan raised a company of volunteers. Straughan was elected first lieutenant. The company was mustered into the Confederate service at Fort Washita, and put in company G, Alexander's Regiment. Later, in 1862, Capt. Straughan retired on account of his age, and Maj. Bush succeeded to the captaincy. For about a year this regiment served in the Indian Territory, Arkansas, Missouri, and afterwards in Louisiana, in Polignac's Brigade. During the first summer in that State the captain was promoted to major and W. N. Bush was made captain, and later, for gallantry on the battlefield, Maj. Bush was made lieutenant colonel of the Thirty-Fourth Texas Cavalry. He commanded the regiment in the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, La. Under Maj. Bush, Alexander's Regiment captured the first battery that was captured in the Mansfield battle. It was taken from the center of the Federal line. This was a terrific battle, and about 2,500 Federals surrendered. Polignac's Brigade was then commanded by Col. Mouton, who was killed, as was also Col. Jim Taylor, when Maj. Bush assumed the command. The Confederates drove the enemy a short distance, when the enemy drove Gen. Chruchhill's Division of Arkansas and Missouri troops. Then Polignac's Brigade was called in to reenforce. When the brigade reenforce, the line checked the enemy and held them in check until the cover of night, when the enemy withdrew and retreated in the direction of Alexandria, La. In the battle on Yellow Bayou by Polignac's Brigade this regiment had only 204 men to go into the charge, having lost heavily in the campaign from Mansfield to Yellow Bayou, and when it came out of the charge only eight-four rallied, and there was hardly a man who was not wounded. The regiment was mustered out of service at Hempstead, Tex., in June, 1865. Maj. Bush then returned to his home and engaged in farming and stock-raising. he was successful in business, and left a handsome estate.