McMullen Co., TX: Confederate Pension Application - Lorenzo Dow Yarbrough 1906-1907 Also included in this file; Lorenzo Dow Yarbrough Civil War Military Records "How Companies Were Formed" by Michael Tope Roster of Co K 2nd Texas Calvary "History of Co K and the 2nd Texas Calvary" by Rob Richardson List of Co K Casualties from Battle at Donaldson, LA in 1863 This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Renee Pierce Smelley 10/29/2004 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm **************************************************** Co K 2nd Texas Calvary Site can be viewed at http://freepages.military.rootsweb.com/~yarbrough Lorenzo Dow Yarbrough (1840-1907) filed for a Confederate Pension on June 28, 1906. Unfortunately, he died on January 5, 1907 nearly 3 month prior to his application being approved on March 25, 1907. Dow was born 1840 in Houston Co., TX and came to McMullen County circa 1860 with his father, John Swanson Yarbrough, and step mother, Francis. Dow married on November 31, 1863 to Nancy White in Live Oak Co., TX. Nancy White Yarbrough (1846-1931) applied for a Confederate Widows Pension shortly after his death on May 6, 1907 in La Salle Co., TX and the application was approved in September 1907. Both are buried in the Old Cotulla Cemetery, La Salle Co., TX ------------------------------------------------------------------ Endorsements Hereon for Comptroller's Use Exclusively Form No 1 - Amended October 1, 1902 CONFEDERATE PENSION APPLICATION Name of Applicant Dow Yarbrough McMullen County, Postoffice Tilden Comptroller's File No. 12501 I have carefully examined the withing applica- tion for pension, together with the proof in sup- port thereof, and I recommend that the application be Approved March 25, 1907 E. A. Boline? Chief Pension Clerk I hereby __________the within application for pension, this March 25 1907 J. H. Stepehns? Comptroller. No Application Rejected by County Judge or County Commissioners Should Be Forwarded to Comptroller. APPLICATION of Indigent Soldier or Sailor of the late Confederacy for pension under the Act of May 12, 1899. Hereafter use no blank but this. ========================================================== THE STATE OF TEXAS County of McMullen To the Honorable County Judge of McMullen County, Texas. Your petitioner. Dow Yarbrough respectfully represents that he is a resident citizen of McMullen County, in the Sate of Texas, and that he makes this application for the purpose of obtaining a pension under the act passed by the Twenty-sixth Legisla- ture of the State of Texas, and approved May 12, A. D. 1899, the same being an act entitled "An act to carry into effect the amendment to the Constitution of the Sate of Texas, providing that aid may be granted to disabled and dependent Confederate soldiers, sailors, and their widows under certain conditions, and to make an appropriation there- for," and I do solemnly swear that the answers I have given to the following questions are true. ========================================================== NOTE-Applicant must make answere to all of the following questions, and such answers must be written out plainly in ink. ========================================================== Q. What is your name? Answer Dow Yarbrough Q. What is your age? Answer 67 Q. In what County do you reside? Answer McMullen County Q. How long have you rsided in said County and what is your postoffice address? Answer About 40 year. Tilden, McMullen Co. Q. Have you applied for a pension under the Confederat Pension Law heretofore, and been rejected? If so, state when and where. Answer No Q. What is your occupation if able to engage in one? Answer Have none Q. What is your physical condition? Answer not good Q. If your physical condition is such that you are unable by your own labor to earn a support, state what caused such disability. Answer old age and was shot during the war in the leg. Q. In what State was your command originally organized? Answer Texas Q. How long did you serve? Give date of enlistment and discharge. Answer enlisted in year 1861 Served until close of the war. Q. What was the name or letter of your company and name or number of your regiment? Answer Company K. Regiment 2nd Texas Cavalry Q. State whether you served in the infantry, artillery, cavalry, or the navy. Answer Cavalry Q. State whether or not you have recieved any pension or veteran donation land certificate under any previous law, and if you answer in the affirmative state what pension or veteran donation land certificate you have recieved. Answer No Q. What real and personal property do you now own, and what is the present value of such property? Give list of such property and value. Answer 1 Mule 50 1 Horse 50 1 Wagon 25 Q. What property, and what was the value thereof, have you sold or conveyed within two years prior to the date of this application? Answer None Q. What estate has your wife in her own right, real and personal, and what is its value? Answer None Q. What income, if any, do you recieve? Answer None Q. Are you in indigent circumstances; that is, are you in actual want, and destitute of property and means of sub- sistence? Answer Yes Q. Are you unalbe by your labor to earn a support? Answer Yes Q. Have you transferred to others any property of value of any kind for the purpose of becoming a beneficiary under this law? Answer No Q. Did you ever desert the Confederacy? Answer No Q. Have you been continuously since the first day of January, 1880, a bona fide resident citizen of this State? Answer Yes Q. If you originally enlisted in the Confederate service from the State of Texas, were you at the date of passage of this act a bona fide resident citizen of the State of Texas? Answer Yes Wherefore your petitioner prays that his application for pension be approved and that such other proceedings be had in the promises as required by law. (Signature of Applicant), Dow (His Mark) Yarbrough Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28 day of June A. D. 1906. W. C. Wheeler County Judge McMullen County, Texas AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES (NOTE-There must be at least two creditble witnesses.) THE STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY OF McMullen Before me W. C. Wheeler County Judge of McMullen County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared W. P. White and Jas Tope Who are personally known to me to be credible citizens, who being by me duly sworn on oath, state that they personally know Dow Yarbough the above named applicant for a pension, and that they personally know that the said Dow Yarbough is unable to support himself by labor of any sort. (Signature of Witness), W. P. White (signature of Witness), James Tope Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28 day of June A. D. 1906 W. C. Wheeler County Judge McMullen County, Texas (Renee's Notes: William Penn White is Dow Yarbrough's brother-in-law and James Tope is Dow's step brother. AFFIDAVIT OF PHYSICIAN THE STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY OF McMullen Before me W. C. Wheeler County Judge of McMullen County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared Dr. Houston Neeley, who is a reputable practicing physician of this County, who being by me duly sworn on oath, states that he has carefully and thoroughly examined Dow Yarbrough applicant for a pension, and finds him laboring under the following disabilities which render him unable to labor at any work or calling sufficient to earn a support for himself: A Gun shot wound through left hip which disables him he states in that hip, also he's suffering some chronic Nasal and bronchial (sic) and at his age in life and being to medicially un- able to secum the (sic) and (sic) but will probably never be curred (Signature of Physician), Houston Neeley M. D. Sworn to and subscirbed before me this 28 day of June A. D. 1906 W. C. Wheeler County Judge McMullen County, State of Texas CERTIFICATE OF COUNYT JUDGE THE STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY OF McMullen I W. C. Wheeler County Judge of McMullenCounty, State of Texas, do hereby certify that on the 13th day of November A. D. 1906, before me came on to be heard the application of Dow Yarbrough for a pension under the Confederate Pension Law of this State, Approved May 12, A. D. 1899; that the answers of said applicant to the questions propounded were made under oath as the same appear in writing in the forgoing application; that the affidavits of the witnesses who are credible citizens were made before me as the same herinbefore appear, and that the forgoing affidavit of Doctor Houston Neeley who is a reputable practicing physician of this county, was made before me. I also certify that the said applicant Dow Yarbrough, is not an inmate of the Texas Confederate Home, nor otherwise disqualified under the provision of Section 12, of the Confederate Pension Law. I further certify that after considering all the proceedings had before me relative to the said application for a pension by the said Dow Yarbrough I find the said applicant is lawfully entitled to the pension provided by the Confederate Pension Law of this State, and I hereby approve said application. Witness my hand and seal of office at Tilden this 13th day of November A. D. 1906 W. C. Wheeler County Judge McMullen County, State of Texas CERTIFICATE OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THE STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF McMullen We, the undersigned members of the Commissioners Court of McMullen County, Texas, hereby certify that the foregoing application of Dow Yarbough for a pesion, together with the proff in support thereof, was duly submitted by Hon. W. C. Wheeler County Judge of this McMullen County, to the Commissioners this McMullen County, at a regular term thereof on the 13th day of November A. D. 1906 and after a careful consideration of the same we find the said applicant is lawfully entitled to the pension provided for by the Confederate Pension Law of this State, and we hereby approve said application. Witness our hands and seal of office at Tilden this 13th day of November A. D. 1906 J. R. Lynch Commissioner C. E. (si) (Signature of Commissioners) J. T. Calliham G. B. Hennrey INTERROGATORIES TO WITNESS IN PENSION CLAIMS. EX PARTE Dow Yarbrough Applicant for Confederat Pension PENDING IN THE Honorable Commissioners Court of McMullen County, Texas, before the Honorable County Judge of said County. The Honorable County Judge of McMullen County, Texas, will please take notice that, five days after the service hereof, applicant herin will aply to the Clerk of the County Court of said State for a commission to take the depositons of __________ and __________ who reside....... in the County of _________ in the State of ___________ in answer to the following interrogatories and such cross interrogatories as my be propounded by the County Judge of said County, which will be read in evidence upon the hearing of applicant's claim for pension in behalf of applicant; said testimony is material and indispensable to applicant in furnishing the required proof to h____ claim for a pension under the Act of May 12, 1899, the application for which is now pending before the Honorable County Judge, and the facts neccessary and required to be proven under the provisions of said Act, applicant believes can not be proven by any witness......residing in the County of _____________ and State of Texas, of which he is a bona fide resident. Dow (his mark) Yarbrough (Applicant) Attorney for Applicant. DIRECT INTERROGATORIES TO BE PROPOUNDED TO THE WITNESS INT. 1. What is your name? Age? Present place of residence and postoffice address? INT. 2. Do you personally know, or did you at any time know Dow Yarbrough who is an applicant for pension under Act of May 12, 1899? INT. 3. How long have you known the said Dow Yarbrough applicant for pension and when and where did you first know him? INT. 4. Do you personally know that the said Dow Yarbrough applicant for pension enlisted in the service of the Confederacy, and perfomred the duties of a soldier or a sailor? INT. 5. Do you personally know in what company and regiment the said Dow Yarbrough applicant enlisted and served in the Confederate army? When? Where? And the time of service? If you per- sonally knew and so have stated that he enlisted and served in the Confederate navy, then state: When? Where? And how long he so served. INT. 6. Do you further know that Dow Yarbrough the said applicant for pension, is unable to support himself by labor of any sort? CROSS INTERROGATORIES. To Be Propounded to Jas Tope Cross Interrogatory 1. If in answer to the foregoing direct interrogatories, you have stated that you personally know or did know said applicant, and that you know that he enlisted in the service of the Confederacy and performed the duties of a soldier or sailor, and having named the company and regiment in which applicant so enlisted and served, then please state fully what is your source of such knowledge. And state whether or not you know or at any time you knew of any other soldier or sailor by the name of Dow Yarbrough serving in the same company or regiment in which you say the said applicant Dow Yarbrough enlisted, or if you have stated that said applicant enlisted and served in the navy of the Confederacy, then state whether or not you know any other sailor of the same as said Dow Yarbrough applicant serving in the same command. If you say that you so knew other soldiers or sailors of the same name of applicant's, then can you and how do you identify and locate the one from the other or others? Cross INT. 2. Are you positively certain that said Dow Yarbrough applicant for pension, is the identical person serving as testified by you? Cross INT. 3. If you have answered Direct Interrogatory No. 6 in the affirmative, then please state your source of knowledge or information. Is not this your answer simply based on conjectrue? Cross INT. 4. Do you know whether or not the said Dow Yarbrough applicant for pension, ever deserted the service in the Confederate army or navy? THE STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF McMullen I, W. C. Wheeler County Judge of said County, in said State, do hereby waive copy of interrogatories, notice, time and issuance of commission, and it is hereby agreed that the an- swers to the hereinabove direct and corss interrogatories of the said berein named witness....... may abe attached hereto. W. C. Wheeler County Judge McMullen County, Texas Dow Yarbrough (his mark) Applicant Deposition In Pension Claims, With Caption and Certificates. EX PARTE Dow Yarbrough Applicant for Confederate Pension IN RE APPLICANT FOR CONFEDERATE PENSION Under Act May 12, 1899, pending in County Commissioners Court of McMullen County, Texas, before the Honorable County Judge of said county. Answers of Jas H Tope of McMullen County Texas. to the accompanying interrogatories (2) and Cross Interrogotories propounded to him in the above entilted cause taken before (3) W. C. Wheeler County Judge in and for said county in accordance with the accompanying (5) To the first interrogatory the said Jas Tope Witness Answers: Int 1. Jas Tope. 66 years. Crowther, Texas McMullen County. Int 2. Yes Int 3. I have known appicant for 50 years. Houston & McMullen Counties Int 4 Yes Int 5. Company K Enlisted in year 1861 at Brownsville Texas and served until the break up INT 6. Yes Cross Interrogatories Cros. Int. 1. I did not know any other of same name as applicant Cross. Int. 2 I am certain the said applicant is the identical person Cross Int 3. no. I know of my own personal knowledge Cross Int 4. He did not he served during the entire war Signed James Tope Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 28 day of June 1906 W. C. Wheeler Co. Judge McMullen Co THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of McMullen I, W. C. Wheeler Co Judge do hereby certify that Jas Tope is personally known to me to be credible citizens of said County and State, and that the foregoing answers of James Tope the witness........ before named, and whose name appears signed to the foregoing depostion, were made before me, and were sworn to and subscribed before me, by said witness (4) Jas Tope Given under my hand and official seal, this the 28 day of June 1906 W. C. Wheeler Co Judge INTERROGATORIES TO WITNESS IN PENSION CLAIMS. EX PARTE Dow Yarbrough Applicant for Confederat Pension PENDING IN THE Honorable Commissioners Court of McMullen County, Texas, before the Honorable County Judge of said County. The Honorable County Judge of McMullen County, Texas, will please take notice that, five days after the service hereof, applicant herin will aply to the Clerk of the County Court of said State for a commission to take the depositons of __________ and __________ who reside ______ in the County of _________ in the State of ___________ in answer to the following interrogatories and such cross interrogatories as my be propounded by the County Judge of said County, which will be read in evidence upon the hearing of applicant's claim for pension in behalf of applicant; said testimony is material and indispensable to applicant in furnishing the required proof to h____ claim for a pension under the Act of May 12, 1899, the application for which is now pending before the Honorable County Judge, and the facts neccessary and required to be proven under the provisions of said Act, applicant believes can not be proven by any witness________residing in the County of _____________ and State of Texas, of which he is a bona fide resident. ____________________________ (Applicant) Attorney for Applicant. DIRECT INTERROGATORIES TO BE PROPOUNDED TO THE WITNESS INT. 1. What is your name? Age? Present place of residence and postoffice address? INT. 2. Do you personally know, or did you at any time know Dow Yarbrough who is an applicant for pension under Act of May 12, 1899? INT. 3. How long have you known the said Dow Yarbrough applicant for pension and when and where did you first know him? INT. 4. Do you personally know that the said Dow Yarbrough applicant for pension enlisted in the service of the Confederacy, and perfomred the duties of a soldier or a sailor? INT. 5. Do you personally know in what company and regiment the said Dow Yarbrough applicant enlisted and served in the Confederate army? When? Where? And the time of service? If you per- sonally knew and so have stated that he enlisted and served in the Confederate navy, then state: When? Where? And how long he so served. INT. 6. Do you further know that Dow Yarbrough the said applicant for pension, is unable to support himself by labor of any sort? CROSS INTERROGATORIES. To Be Propounded to D. T. Winters Cross Interrogatory 1. If in answer to the foregoing direct interrogatories, you have stated that you personally know or did know said applicant, and that you know that he enlisted in the service of the Confederacy and performed the duties of a soldier or sailor, and having named the company and regiment in which applicant so enlisted and served, then please state fully what is your source of such knowledge. And state whether or not you know or at any time you knew of any other soldier or sailor by the name of Dow Yarbrough serving in the same company or regiment in which you say the said applicant Dow Yarbrough enlisted, or if you have stated that said applicant enlisted and served in the navy of the Confederacy, then state whether or not you know any other sailor of the same as said Dow Yarbrough applicant serving in the same command. If you say that you so knew other soldiers or sailors of the same name of applicant's, then can you and how do you identify and locate the one from the other or others? Cross INT. 2. Are you positively certain that said Dow Yarbrough applicant for pension, is the identical person serving as testified by you? Cross INT. 3. If you have answered Direct Interrogatory No. 6 in the affirmative, then please state your source of knowledge or information. Is not this your answer simply based on conjectrue? Cross INT. 4. Do you know whether or not the said Dow Yarbrough applicant for pension, ever deserted the service in the Confederate army or navy? DEPOSITION IN PENSION CLAIMS, WITH CAPTION AND CERTIFICATES EX PARTE Dow Yarbrough Applicant for Confederate Pension IN RE APPLICANT FOR CONFEDERAT PENSION Under Act May 12, 1899, pending in County Commissioners Court of McMullen County, Texas, before the Honorable County Judge of said County. Answers and depostions of (1) D. T. Winters of Big Foot Frio County Texas to the accompanying interrogatories (2) and cross Interrogatories propounded to him in the above cause taken before (3) Mack Kerchiville Notary Public in and for Frio Co Texas in accordance with the accompanying (5) Commissioner To the first interrogatory the said D. T. Winters Witness answers: Daniel T. Winters, 64 years of age Big Foot, Frio Co, Texas. 2nd Yes, I know Dow Yarbrough 3rd about 45 years and I first met him in the confederate army Co K 2nd Texas Calvery. 4th I know he performed the duties of a confederate soldier 5th He served in company K 2nd Texas calvery. Do not know date enlisted. Do not know where he inlisted. He served 24 months or more 6th I do not know but judging from his age, I would think he was unable to to do manual labor at this time. - Cross examination - No 1 My source of information as to his service as a solier in the confederate army was from association with said Yorbrough applicant for pension. I did not know any other Dow Yorbrough in the confederate service. 2nd Yes, I am certain that said Yorbrough I have in mind as serving in Co K. 2nd Texas (rest is not legible) No 3. Not having seen said Yorbrough for a long time my source of knowledge comes from what I know about his age. And large cumbersome frame, and my oppinion in regard to molles is posed (sic)! All by this upon guessing how he could carry his massive body at this extreme age No 4 Do not know. signed Daniel T. Winters Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 10th day of July 1906 Mack Kerchiville Notary Public Frio Co Texas THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Frio I, Mack Kercheville do hereby certify that D. T. Winters and is personally known to me to be credible citizen of said County and State, and that the foregoing answers of D. T. Winters the witenss before named, and D. T. Winters whose name appear signed to the foregoing deposition, were made befoe me, and were sworn to and sbuscribed before me, by said witness (4) Given under my hand and official seal, this the 10th day of July 1906 Mack Kercheville Notory Public Frio Co Texas Comptroller's Department State of Texas Austin To the Military Secretary, March 14, 1907 War Department, Washington, D. C. Sear Sir: I have the honor to request the military record of Dow Yarbrough who is reported to have enlisted in Company K, 2nd Regiment Texas Cavalry in the service of the Confedearate States army. Purpose: The person above named is an applicant for a Confederate pension grandted by this State, and I desire to verify his proof of service. Very respectfully J W Stephens comptroller MILITARY SECURITY OFFICE WAR DEPARTMENT MAR 13, 1907 12223643 Austin, Texas March 14, 1907. Dow Yarbrough, Co. K, 2d Regt. Tex. Cav. J. W. Stephens, Comptroller, State of Texas. For the military record of the above named an applicant for Confederate pension. WAR DEPARTMENT, THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE Washington, March 19, 1907. Respectfully retuned to the Comptroller, State of Texas, Austin It is shown by the records of this office that one Don Yarboro (name also borno as Yarbro), private, Company K, 2d Texas Cavalry, C.S.A., enlisted September 23, 1861. He is re- ported on the roll for January and February, 1864, last on file, as pres- ent. No later record of him has been found. F. L. A(sic) The Adjutant General. ------------------------------------------------------ Lorenzo Dow Yarbrough Military Records Dow Yarbro, Pvt. Capt. John Donelson’s Company 2 Reg’t Texas Mounted Vols. Age 20 years. Appears on Company Muster-in Roll of the organization named above. Roll dated Fort Brown, Texas Sept. 23 1861. Muster-in date Sept. 23, 1861. Joined for duty and enrolled: on Sept. 23, 186_ in Brownsville by John Donelson for a period of 12 months. Value of horse, $50. equipment; $15. Sept. 23 to Nov. 1, 1861. Enrolled: Sept. 23 186_ at Brownsvile by Capt. Donelson. Mustered into service: on Sept. 23, 186_ in Brownsville by Capt. J. A. Settle. Pay due from enlistment. Value of horse: $50. equpment; $15. Jan1, 1862 – Pay due from enlistment. For use of horse $39.20 January – February 1862 – Pay due from enlistment. March & April 1862 – Pay due from enlistment – Present To Oct. 31, 1862 – Mustered into service on June 26, 186_ Near Helena by Capt. Donelson. Last Paid by Capt. Yary Aug. 31, 186_. Value of horse; $80. Equipment $25. Transfer to Capt. Tobin the 27 Dept. 1862. Sept. 27 to Oct. 31, 1862. Pvt. 21 years of age. Captain William G. Tobin’s Company. 2 Reg’t Texas Mounted Rifles. Enrolled on June 26, 1862 at Hellena by Capt. Donelson. Last paid by Capt. Yary on Aug 31, 186_ Feb. 28 – June 32, 1863. Pvt. (2d) Company F, 2 Regiment Texas Cavalry. Enlisted on June 26 8161 at Helena by Capt. Donelson for period of war. Last paid by Capt. Reeves on Feb. 28, 1863. Present. July & Aug. 1863 – Last paid by Capt. Elby on June 30, 1863. Absent. Remarks: Absent without leave since Aug. 4. Nov. 1863 – Awal since Nov. 25, 1863. (Renee’s Note: Dow Yarbrough married Nancy White on Nov. 30, 1863 in Oakville, Live Oak Co., TX) Nov. 1863 - Pvt. CO F. Absent enlisted men of the organization named above. Without leave since Aug 4, 186_ Not Dated – Pvt. CO F. List of men absent with and witout leave, sick, and in arrest or confinement, of the 2d Regiment Texas Cavalry. Absent without leave since Sept. 25, 1863. Jan. & Feb. 1864 - D. Yarboro, Pvt. Co. K. 2 Regiment Texas Cavalry. Enlisted June 26, 1862 in Escondido by Capt. Donelson for period of war. Last paid by Capt. Milby on Aug. 31, 1863. Present. Remarks: Transfer from CO F 2 T. C. Jan. 1, 64. May 1864 – Furlough since May 1. Aug. 10, 1864 – Furloughed May 1, 1864. Aug. 20, 1864 – Furlough May 1, 64. Aug. 11, 1864 – Absent without leave Aug. 11, 64. Sept. 10, 1864 – Absent without leave since Aug. 11, 1864. September 20, 1864 – Absent without leave October 1864 – Absent without leave since Aug 14, 64. Nov. 1864 – Absent without leave since Aug. 2, 1864. Dec. 1864 – Absent without leave. February 1865 – Absent witout leave Aug. 64. March 5, 1865 – Absent without leave since February 65. Note: Dow was shot in the hip and this may account for his furlough May 1864 and his AWOL through March 5, 1865 -------------------------------------------------------------- How Companies Were Formed by Michael Tope 2001 Grandted permission to Renee Smelley for use on the Co K 2nd Texas Calvary Site This site is the work of Michael Tope and editor Renee Smelley http://freepages.military.rootsweb.com/~yarbrough When the Civil War broke out, Texas started putting military units together to help. There were eventually 254 military units from Texas and of those, 248 fought for the Confederacy. There seems to be some confusion about the identities of these units. There were 2 official Ninth Texas Infantry units. There were two First Texas Cavalry units and two Thirty Fifth Texas Cavalry units. To add to the confusion, most units were referred to by their commanders name and sometimes were more commonly known by a nickname, such as Hood's Brigade, Walkers Greyhounds and Lanes Rangers. In his applications for a Confederate Pension, James Tope, stated that he served in "Pyron's Texas Regiment" since his unit commander was Col. Charles L. Pyron. This unit is actually the Second Texas Mounted Cav. Therein lies more confusion, since there is also a Pyron's Texas Cavalry Company under the leadership of Captain James Pyron. No one seems to know if the two Pyrons are related. These units also served in the same areas at one time. Pyrons' Texas Cavalry was assigned to the New Mexico Territory in September of 1861 and the 2nd Mounted Cav. was assigned in that area in January 1862. There is some speculation that Pyron's Texas Reg. was a detached unit of the 2nd Mounted Cav. The Second Texas Cavalry was originally organized in the spring of 1861 under the designation of Second Texas Mounted Rifles. I have heard from several sources that the unit was formed in Brownsville, Texas. It was then reorganized with all the same men and officers and was then called the Second Texas Cavalry. The follow is a list of where nine of the companies were recruited. While not listed below there was also a Company K and it is not known where it was recruited. While the company may have come from Brownsville, we have identified a number of men that came from Live Oak, Atascosa and Mc Mullen county. Company and Area Recruited in "A" Houston, Anderson, Nacogdoches, and Cherokee Counties "B" Bexar County "C" Harris County "D" Bexar County "E" Leon County "F" Harrison County "G" Bee County "H" Parker and Johnson Counties (located at the Texas State Troops Webpage) "I" Goliad County "K" Uncomfirmed The following paragraph is how one researcher described the forming of a Company. " A typical example of the mechanics of forming a unit took place at Marshall in April, 1861, when the organization of the W.P. Lane Rangers Company was announced. Volunteers were expected to supply their own mounts while the state agreed to furnish arms. On the appointed day the young men were massed in the center of the town, had their horses examined for serviceability, ( Note, the Confederate Congress authorized the sum of $ .40 cents per day for men that used their own horses.) elected their officers, and were given an oath of allegiance to Texas by a local judge. The rest of the day was spent in preparing the unit's roll of members and in attending a special church service. The next morning saw the company reassembled in the town square, awaiting the presentation of a flag that had been made by the young ladies of Marshall. After a long and flowery presentation speech, the banner, reported to have measured six by fifteen feet, was accepted by the unit. Then, at noon, amidst tears and kisses, the company took up the march to its destiny. A few miles down the road, however, destiny was delayed while the men were feasted at a local college. By dusk the badly scattered soldiers straggled to a camping site and dined on delicacies that had been brought from home. The Rangers were feted, lauded, and blessed in almost every town through which they passed. Late in May they arrived in San Antonio where they were armed, mustered into Confederate service as Company "F" of the Second Texas Mounted Rifles, and assigned to patrol duty on the state's frontier. " Since units were formed this way, it was not uncommon for several members or relatives of the same family to enlist at the same time. In researching Company K we have found that James H. Tope and his half brother, John M. Moore were in the same company. Also in that unit were the step brothers of James and John, Lorenzo Dow Yarbrough and his brother David Yarbrough. Richard D. Cude, Nathaniel W. Cude and Willis Franklin Cude, also brothers were in Company K. The brothers Alfred H. Winters and Daniel T. Winters were members also. The Winters, Yarbroughs, Cudes, Tope and Moore were all related to each other in one way or another. The Winters and Cudes frequently traveled together and also married into each others families. Thats nine men all related to each other servining in the same unit. The Second Texas Cavalry spent most of its four years ( formed May 1861, surrendered in May 1865.), both fighting Indians and fighting in the Civil War. In January of 1863 units of the 2nd Cav. were in the battle at Galveston and then moved into Louisiana, with a skirmish at Sabine Pass and then at New Iberia. The last action of the Civil War took place in Texas, in what is known as the Battle Of Palmito Ranch. This took place on May 13, 1865 more than a month after Gen. Robert E. Lee had surrendered, and officially ending the Civil War. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Roster of Co K 2nd Texas Calvary Amado, Rius Hardin, Benjamin C. 3rd Lt. Randle, A. H. Antonio, Dick Harrison, Ira A., Sgt. Richardson, James Avant, James Harrison, James, Cpl. Richardson, John Avant, Lewis Hastings, E. D. Richardson, Samuel R. Bacon, Edward Herndon, Samuel T. Ricks, A. Barrows, C. Hill, John, 1st Sgt. Ricks, Edward Beal, M. Hobbs, Virgil Ricks, Henry Beard, John Holcy, William Ricks, Richard Beevers, C. V. Howard, Joseph V. Ricks, Wiley Bell, Samuel Humphries, Thomas Robinson, Amos H. Bennett, L. C., 2nd Lt. Hunter, John B. Rosser, Benjamin Bolton, J. A. Inglish, William K. Seely, Thomas H. Bolton, Joseph E. Jones, Calvin Shannon, John T. Box, T. J. Jones, J. H. Smyth, Patrick Burris, B. F. Jones, J. K. Somerhalter, Valentine Butler, Albert Keller, R. E. Somers, William B., Far. Butler, Jasper Kendrick, J. W., Cpl. Stansel, J. J. Butler, Marion Key, H. D. Stevenson, W. S., 1st Sgt. Button, J. E. Key, James O. Stringfield, Littleton Button, M., Cpl. Key, John W. Thomas, Mel Carro, Jose M. Lackey, L. K. Thompson, T. Cave, Milton Land, W. F. Thornton, J. Chambers, John H. Lansford, Josiah R. Tope, James Coker, A., Sgt. Lawhorn, L. S., 1st Lt. Tullons, Richard Conlin, James, Sgt. Leazerar, James F. Turner, Martin Coons, M. C., Sgt. Leazear, John A. Valverthe, Francisco Cooper, A. J. Leazear, William S. Van Pelt, William F. Crouch, Wiley Little, James G. Walker, A., Sgt. Crouch, William F., 1st Lt. Mangum, David W., Sgt. Walker, Goldsmith, Capt Cude, Alfred J., Cpl. Mangum, J. Warren Walker, Samuel Cude, Nathan Martin, Emanuel, Sgt. Waller, Charles W., Cpl. Cude, R. D., Sgt. Martin, William Waltrink, Francis Cude, Tim J. Mathews, J. F. Watkins, Benjamin F. Cude, Tobias A. McCauley, William R. Watkins, Milton P. Cude, W. McMill, M. E. Westerman, Henry Cude, Willis F. McRea, Colin D. Capt. White, S. D. Curry, John T. Mestez, Lassero Williams, Joel G. Davilla, Francisco Millhouse, D. S. Williams, John, Cpl. Delaney, J. M., Sgt. Millhouse, J. F. Williams, John K. Dickey, H. H. Moore, J. M. Williams, Joseph H. Dockery, Alfred J. Moore, John, Cpl. Williams, Robert, 1st Lt. Dockery, Louis K. Moore, William S., Cpl. Williams, Thomas Dolan, Thomas Morrissey, Morris Williams, Wiley Donelson, John, Maj. Morse, J. D. Winters, Alfred Doran, George H. Surg. Neeley, G. T. Winters, Daniel Duff, Marion J., Sgt. O'Conner, Charles, Bugler Winters, J. S. Edwards, Cullen W. Odum, Richard Winters, Marion Edwards, H. Pas, Cypriana Winters, R. D. Edwards, John D. Paterson, John Winters, Samuel, Sgt. Ervay, Charles H. Payne, Henry, Cpl. Wittiman, Leonard, Sgt. Frazer, George W. Pell, Frederick Wood, T. T. Goundy, Sol Pettitt, William M. Woodley, J. J. Graham, James Poor, Frederick Yarboro, David (Yarbrough) Green, Cas Powell, Floyd Yarboro, Dow (Yarbrough) Green, Charles Puckett, William B. Gundy. F. ------------------------------------------------------------------ History of Company K and the 2nd Texas Calvary by Rob Richardson 2001 Grandted permission to Renee Smelley for use on the Co K 2nd Texas Calvary Site This site is the work of Michael Tope and editor Renee Smelley http://freepages.military.rootsweb.com/~yarbrough I am related to two men who were privates in Company K. They were brothers. John Winn Richardson and Samuel Richardson. They were both born in Danville, IL in the early 1840s and arrived in Bexar County, Texas from Missouri with their family in 1859. They lived near Sutherland Springs which became part of Wilson County in 1860. My research following Company K is briefly as follows: Company K formed relatively late. They were probably formed after the 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles has been absorbed into the Conferate Army as the 2nd Texas Cavalry. They did not therefore participate in the pre-war surrender of frontier forts by the U.S. Army to the Texans. Many men however, including Pyron were with the militia formed by the Texas Succession Commission that forced General Twiggs to surrender the armory at the Alamo in early '61. It's interesting to note that Robert E. Lee was present in San Antonio in a blue uniform at that time. With a trigger happy rebel had fired on the U.S troops it is likely that Lee would have either been killed or would have stayed in the U.S. Army. Company K did not follow Baylor's arm of the 2nd into New Mexico. Rather they joined Rip Ford along the border in South Texas. This period is well documented in the edited diary of Ford "RIP Ford's Texas". They had several threats to contend with - The Union Army (largely Edmond Davis' 2nd Texas Cav - USA), Juan Cortina's guerillas on both sides of the border, and Apaches taking advantage of the confusion to raid settlements to the West. In early '62 they relocated to Fredricksburg, TX to police the German community which, owing to their strong opposition to slavery, was not too enthused about the aims of the war. In April, '62 part of Company K under Lt. McRea joined state guards commanded by a martinet by the name of Dunn, a bartender from San Antonio. They rode in pursuit of a group of young Germans headed for the border to escape conscription and probably to join Davis's unit. The 2nd and the guards ambused the group of Germans on the Nueces and killed and wounded most. Many of the wounded were shot after surrender. McRea was wounded and left the field. History doesn't record how many men of Company K remained behind. Dunn ordered all prisoners to be hung. So many more were massacred. The unit stayed in Fredricksburg for another month after the massacre. They headed back to Ringold Barracks on the border where McRae recuperated. There are a couple of books printed on the anniveraries of the massacre by survivors. I've found accounts in the University of Texas library. Baylor disgraced during his time as Governor of Arizona lost command of the 2nd in the west and Pyron became the commander after leading the troops brilliantly in several battles. Ford, after doing an incredible job of stabilizing the situation along the border was made head of conscription in the state of Texas. Seems like politics played some role in his reassignment. He was one of the best, least used leaders in Texas. The 2nd under Pyron reassembled in San Antonio in mid-62 and then headed down to support actions along the Gulf Coast. By then "Prince John" Magruder had become the overall commander of Texas troops. By then they had been dismounted. This was the first of a series of events that lead to a mutiny in their next foray into the war. Recall that the horses that were confiscated were the personal property of the men in the 2nd. Generally, these men rode to war on the best horses that their family owned. This was a terrrible blow to the men and caused considerable resentment. However, Pryon's troops, including Company K, were involved in the surprise attack and recapture of Galveston. Pyron and his rather rowdy (undiciplined?) troops were included in Lt. Col. Fremenatle's diary, "Three Months in the Southern States". Fremantle was a Lt. Colonel in the British Army. Three months after visiting with the troops in Galveston he was at Gettysburg with Lee and Longstreet. In early May, Fremantle recorded the 2nd's departure on foot for Louisiana after "Old Sam Houston" had given the men a rousing speech. In Louisana, the Second was part of General Richard Taylor's command. The men were engaged in a series of raids along the Mississippi bayou climaxing in a large skirmish at La Forche Parish. The radis in part were to keep Union soldiers in Southern Louisiana from supporting Grant's seige in Vicksburg. The results of the battle were mixed. Men of Company K joined others in a successful assault on a Union position but had to retreat shortly after when their powder became wet because of a driving rain. Pyron was wounded in the attack and returned to Texas to recouperate. Men of the Second began returning across the Sabine to Texas in small groups against the direct orders of Taylor and the commander of the entire Transmississippi Kirby Smith. Smith considered their abandoment of his army as a mutiny and asked Magruder to force their return to Louisiana. However, the men of the 2nd considered themselves Texans first and Confederates second. They refused to go. Over the next year, Magruder found reason after reason to keep the 2nd in Texas away from Taylor's command. The men agreed to go home and remount as a Cavalry unit. They were to muster in Austin. I found at least one anecdotal description of their short stay in Austin. It seems that many of them rode into town and outfitted themselves with new cloths and other supplies and refused to pay. The implied threat to the owners of the mercantiles was try to stop me and you'll be shot. Sort of an impromptu martial law. The men in Company K spent '64 and '65 ranging from Galveston up to San Antonio and the west. Generally awaiting an invasion of Union Troops that never came. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ List of Casualties 2D T.M.R. - Pyron's Regiment Battle at Donaldsonville, LA June 28, 1863 "Austin Weekly Gazette" Tuesday, July 21, 1863 Company K Killed Lt. Robert Williams S. Stevenson J. A. Harrison J. O. Key W. F. Crouch Wm. McCauley J. Kendrick Wm. Van Pelt J. Butler R. Odlenn? A. Hardin Wounded Lt. J. L. Walker Pvt. C. W. Edwards Pvt. Frank Waltrick Pvt. A. J. Cude Pvt. M. P. Watkins Pvt. J. Williams Pvt. T. T. Woods Pvt. J. Tope Prisoners D. T. Winters G. K. Dockery A. Butler J. H. Williams W. F. Cude