CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY:  MAJ. A. A. STEPHENS

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Submitted by Mary Love Berryman - marylove@tyler.net
28 March 2002 
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson - Pages 312-313

MAJ. A. A. STEPHENS. 

Maj. A. A. Stephens, of Wolfe City, Texas, died at the home of his son, 
Charles, at Celeste, March 30, 1907. The remains were taken to Wolfe 
City, escorted by the Masonic lodge of Celeste and many of his old 
comrades. Arriving at Wolfe City, the funeral party was met by the 
lodge of that city and a number of veterans' and friends. The services 
were conducted in the Baptist church by the Major's old-time friend, 
Rev. J. B. Boyet, who paid a fitting tribute to his noble character, 
giving him special praise for his unre­mitting kindness to his indigent 
comrades and all others in distress or need. The remains were conveyed 
to Mt. Carmel Cemetery, followed by the largest concourse of people 
tbat ever attended a funeral at Wolfe City.

Major Stephens was born in Bibb county, Ala., March 24, 1843. At an 
early age his family moved to Mississippi, where he grew to manhood. 
At the commencement of the Civil War he joined Co. K, 1st Mississippi 
Infantry. He was in the seige of Port Hudson, La., where he was 
captured and paroled. He served on provost duty, guarding prisoners at 
Andersonville prison until July, 1863, when he was trans­ferred to the 
army of Tennessee under Joseph E. Johnston and Hood, participating in 
all the bloody battles of that army.

When the Confederate army was defeated at Nashville and every one was 
ordered to take care of himself Private Stephens started out loaded 
with camp equipage, being among the last leaving the intrenchments.  
When he found his captain dangerously wounded, he threw down his traps 
and took the captain on his back and carried him out at the risk of 
his own life.

He was always on time, if he had to go barefooted. His company was 
called into line one morning, and, not having time to put on his 
clothes, he "fell in," for which he re­ceived a severe reprimand.  A 
junior lieutenant, Marion Shelton, took up for the boy, who shortly 
proved to be one of the bravest'and most deliberate marksman in our 
army, al­ways on time, and standing ground where the bullets flew 
thickest. He was never excited, but always at his post of duty.'

In July, 1866, he married Miss Eliza Durrett at Fulton,
Miss.; and in 1880 he moved to Hunt county, Texas, where
he took a prominent part in everything pertaining to the
Confederate Veterans.  He was the efficient Adjutant of the
Ben McCullough Camp, of Wolfe City for several years. 

                             -Confederate Veteran.