CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY: EARL VAN DORN 

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Submitted by Doris Peirce - ginlu@home.com   
24 October 2001
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson

EARL VAN DORN

The funeral of Gen. Van Dorn, who was killed at Spring Hill, Tenn., is 
thus graphically and beautifully described by Victor M. Rose, in his 
history of Ross' Texas Brigade.  Van Dorn was a native of Mississippi, 
but claimed Texas as his home, often saying when he retired from the 
army, his home would be in the Lone Star State.  Mr. Rose writes: 
"The funeral of the dead general was very impressive and solemn.  The 
command was mounted, and drawn up on either side of the street.  The 
body, in a metallic casket, was laid in the hearse; on the head of the 
coffin reposed his Mexican sombrero, bearing a gold Texas star; along 
the breast reposed his gold hilted sword, a present from the State of 
Mississippi; at the foot of the coffin stood his military boots.  
Following the hearse was his horse, bridled and saddled.  As the 
hearse passed down the lines, the officers and men saluted their dead 
chieftan with the saber; and, though extremest silence reigned, many 
an eye was moist.  Especially did his escort seem to realize their 
loss.  They were men of the old army, who had followed the fortunes 
of the dashing "Major" into the Confederate army, and had come to 
look upon the General as little children do a father.  We repeat, that 
the death of Gen. Van Dorn was a great calamity to the Confederacy. 
Upon the death of the General, the cavalry corps was broken up; Gen. 
Forest, with his division remaining in Tennessee, and the brigades of 
Whitfield (Texas) Cosby and Ferguson were organized into a division, 
over which was placed Brigadier General W. H. Jackson, a cultured 
gentleman, and a brave, efficient officer, and a native of the State 
of Tennessee.