Gill Family History

William “Bud Billy” Alexander Gill

The Civil War Years

 

The war did not just start with the rise of the 7th Texas Infantry.  It can be assumed that for the men that volunteered for war there must have been some sympathies for the cause.  It can also be assumed that the community embraced the same sympathies.  I do not have a diary or letters from the Gill family, but there is several copies or excerpts if the local newspaper the (Marshall) "Texas Republican" and it's counterpart the (Marshall) "Harrison Flag" published between the 1860 - 1861 period.  I have also looked through as many other papers printed in Texas that I could find on line.  These include the following: Alamo Express (San Antonio); Austin State Gazette (Austin); Bellville Countryman (Bellville); Cairo City Weekly News (Cairo); Clarksville Standard (Clarksville); Galveston Weekly News (Galveston); LaGrange (LaGrange); Ranchero (Corpus Christi); San Antonio Herald (San Antonio); Texas Baptist; Tyler Reporter (Tyler); The Crisis(Galveston).  In all except the "Harrison Flag", the editorial staff were pro-slavery.  The emotional headlines were about either the northern attempts to rile up the slaves and turn them against their owners, or efforts to better build the patriotism for the Southern cause.

 

The editorial staff generally framed the articles around the North instigating the Negros of the South to rebel and either overthrow their masters or escape to the north.  To be in favor of the abolition of slaves was to be an enemy of the South and Texas.  Here are some examples from around the State of Texas.

 

ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 18, 1860, p. 3, c. 1   

      
Hung.—It is reported that the gentleman who was in our city some weeks since, engaged in the laudable undertaking of selling maps, has been hung in Eastern Texas, for tampering with negroes.  He hung many a map with all our country on it, and at last was hung himself. 

 

ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 10, 1860, p. 1, c. 1   

Two persons were recently hung in Robertson county for tampering with negroes. 

 

ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 10, 1860, p. 1, c. 6    

 
A vial of supposed poison was found in a well-bucket, at Mr. Thompson's place, in Forkstown, one day this week.  A meeting of the Vigilance Committee of that beat was called to investigate the matter.  Nothing definite was discovered at latest dates. Let everybody be on their guard.  Lincolnites must have been about recently.—[Bellville Countryman.  

Muggins found an old jack-knife the other day.  His suspicions are aroused to the highest pitch, and he says, "let everybody be on their guard.  Lincolnites must have been around recently." 

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ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 10, 1860, p. 2, c. 3    

 
Significant.—A correspondent of the Gazette, writing from Fairfield, makes the following significant remarks:  
"We are, however vigilant and are guarding our village every night, and expect to do so until the November election."      

     
That is just what we have been telling people that this infernal agitation about the "Abolition plot" was only gotten up for effect, and that it would die out after the election.—Intelligencer. 

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AUSTIN STATE GAZETTE, January 26, 1861, p. 2, c. 3     

     
Milledgeville, Jan. 19.—The Ordinance for the immediate secession of the State of Georgia passed to-day with the following vote:  Ayes 208; nays 80.  Majority 119.  There is great rejoicing throughout the State.  Guns are being fired, bells tolled, Lone Star flags unfurled to the breeze, and every manifestation of joy at the welcome verdict. 

 

AUSTIN STATE GAZETTE, January 26, 1861, p. 4, c. 3

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A Southern Marsellaise.

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Ye sons of the South, awake to glory!          
Hark! Hark! what thousands bid you rise!
Your children, wives, and grandsires hoary, 
Prevent their tears, and save their cries!
Shall hateful tyrants, mischief breeding,       
With sectional hosts, a ruffian band, 
Affright and desolate our land,
While peace and liberty lie bleeding! 
To arms!  to arms!  ye brave!             
The avenging sword unsheath!          
March on!  march on! all hearts resolved                   
On victory or death! 

Now, now the dangerous storm is rolling,     
Which treacherous men confederate raise;
The dogs of faction loose, are howling,         
And lo! our homes will soon invade.
And shall we basely view the ruin,    
While lawless force with guilty stride           
Spreads desolation far and wide,
With crimes and blood his hands imbruing!  
To arms! to arms! etc. 

O, Liberty! can man resign thee,        
Once having felt thy generous flame?
Can dungeons, bolts and bars confine thee,  
Or threats they noble spirit tame?
Too long the South has borne, bewailing       
That falsehood's dagger Northerns wield,     
But freedom is our sword and shield,
And all their arts are unavailing.        
To arms! to arms! etc. 

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BELLVILLE [TX] COUNTRYMAN, July 28, 1860, p. 2, c. 1  

 
Excitement in Northern Texas.—By an extra from the office of the Brenham Enquirer dated the 23d inst., we learn that [tear in paper] excitement in Northern Texas [tear in paper] an insurrection movement among the negroes, led on by white men.  Enough has been discovered to show that a deep laid plot was on the eve of being consummated to free the negroes and destroy the whites.  The insurrection was to take place on the election day in August.  The burning of the town of Dallas on the 8th inst., and of Denton, Pilot Point, Belknap, Gainesville, Black Jack Grove, etc., has been traced to the agency of these emissaries.  With such warnings about us it is time to beware.  Let every citizen and every member of the households in our County be on the look-out—be vigilant, be watchful.  There are many itinerating strangers among us.  Some pretending to follow one occupation and some another.  They may be spies and fiends intent on the destruction of our homes, our property and our lives.  No harm can result from "Eternal vigilance."               
P.S.—We learn since writing the above, that a meeting has been held at Hempstead, to devise ways and means on these matters.  What will our people do? 

 

BELLVILLE [TX] COUNTRYMAN, August 4, 1860, p. 2, c. 6

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The Abolition Plot in Texas.

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            We extract the following from a letter to the Houston Telegraph, from Dallas, giving further particulars of the extensive Abolition plot discovered there a few days ago:         
The outhouses, granaries, oats and grain of Mr. Crill Miller, were destroyed a few days after the destruction of Dallas.  This led to the arrest of some white men, whose innocence, however, was proved beyond a doubt.  Several negroes belonging to Mr. Miller, were taken up and examined, and developments of the most startling character elicited.  A plot to destroy the country was revealed, and every circumstance even to the minutiae, detailed.  Nearly or quite a hundred negroes have been arrested, and upon a close examination, separate and apart from each other, they deposed to the existence of a plot or conspiracy to lay waste the country by fire and assassination—to impoverish the land by the destruction of the provisions, arms and ammunition, and then when in a state of helplessness, a general revolt of the negroes was to begin on the first Monday in August, the day of election for the State officers.  This conspiracy is aided and abetted by abolition emissaries from the North, and by those in our midst. 

The details of the plot and its modus operandi, are these:  each county in Northern Texas has a supervisor in the person of a white man, whose name is not given; each county is laid off into districts under the sub-agents of this villain, who control the action of the negroes in the districts, by whom the firing was to be done.  Many of our most prominent citizens were singled out for assassination whenever they made their escape from their burning homes.  Negroes never before suspected, are implicated, and the insurrectionary movement is widespread to an extent truly alarming.  In some places the plan was conceived in every form shocking to the mind, and frightful in its results.  Poisoning was to be added, the old females to be slaughtered along with the men, and the young and handsome women to be parceled out amongst these infamous scoundrels.  They had even gone so far as to designate their choice, and certain ladies had already been selected as the victims of those misguided monsters.  

 

Fortunately, the country has been saved from the accomplishment of these horrors; but then, a fearful duty remains for us.  The negroes have been incited to these infernal proceedings by abolitionists, and the emissaries of certain preachers who were expelled from this county last year.  Their agents have been busy amongst us, and many of them have been in our midst.  Some of them have been identified, but have fled from the country; others still remain, to receive a fearful accountability from an outraged and infuriated people.  Nearly a hundred negroes have testified that a large reinforcement of abolitionists are expected on the first of August, and these to be aided by recruits from the Indian tribes, while the Rangers are several hundred miles to the North of us.  It was desired to destroy Dallas, in order that the arms and ammunition of the artillery company might share the same fate.
Our jail is filled with the villains, many of whom will be hung and that very soon.  A man was found hung at our neighboring city of Fort Worth, two days ago, believed to be one of those scoundrels who are engaged in this work.  We learn that he had stored away a number of rifles, and the day after he was hung a load of six-shooters passed on to him, but were intercepted.  He was betrayed by one of the gang, and hence his plans were thwarted.  Many others will share his fate.     

 
I have never witnessed such times.  We are most profoundly excited.  We go armed day and night, and know not what we shall be called upon to do. 

 

STANDARD [CLARKSVILLE, TX], February 4, 1860, p. 2, c. 4

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Northern Texas—Slavery.

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            It seems that Mr. Mills of Navarro, has found it necessary, in his place in the State Legislature, to define the position of the people of Northern Texas upon the Slavery question.  We were not before this aware that the people of Northern Texas required any definement of their attitude in this respect, but suppose that of course Mr. Mills had heard something which called out his remarks.  The debate arose upon a bill to grant 200 acres of land to actual settlers upon the frontier.  We suppose that individuals could be found, here and there, having anti-slavery prejudices; but we have never met with one yet, in Northern Texas, who expressed them, in our hearing, and we imagine that the number is quite small.  There is no danger of the growth of any such sentiment or prejudice in a slaveholding community; where persons can see the actualities of slavery; the sickly sentiment is grown upon fallacies, at a distance from the realities, the close observation of which, would obliterate all such poorly founded fancies.  It does not matter what part of the Union a man comes from, or with what notions he was indoctrinated when he left home.  Let him live in a slaveholding community for a few months, and he will be ready enough to acquire negro property whenever opportunity is favorable; and he will be oppressed with no qualms of conscience in so doing.  There is no room in any sensible man's mind for such romantic fancies, after he sees and knows what slavery really is, and what slaves are by the organization of the Supreme ruler, who suited their capacities and tastes to their position, and unfitted them for any other.    

"I have heard some of my friends upon the floor, who are honest in their opinion, object to this measure, because the atmosphere of the State has been poisoned with the idea that the people who are settled in that upper country, are not sound in relation to the peculiar institution of the South.  I apprehend that this is all a mistake.  So far as my knowledge of that country extends, the people in the Northern part of the State are more sensitive upon the subject of slavery, than those in the vicinity of Austin, or any interior portion of the State.  Abolitionists, and their incendiaries and emissaries, have taken advantage of these slanders that have been circulated generally over the State, to the injury of that section, and believing them to be true have attempted to go to that country and indoctrinate the people with their treasonable sentiments.  Some of these individuals have lately shown themselves in that region, and on every occasion (and I defy contradiction) where their incendiary objects were made known to the people, they have been driven away and expelled from their midst.  They were driven out of Dallas county, out of Cooke, out of Fannin and out of every other portion of that country where they have made themselves known.  And I warn such gentlemen have been lecturing to respectable audiences and receiving applause in the city of Austin not to go to that country, for if they did they may receive an invitation from the people of that region to visit the nearest black jack in the vicinity.  If the gentlemen who had [illegible] boldness to address a letter [illegible] city to the President of the United States, acknowledging that he had been principal secretary of an organization having for its object those which were developed in the late insurrection at Harper's Ferry—I say if he had written that letter in the midst of that people, he would have paid for it by the forfeit of his life.  I want gentlemen to reflect on fact—and the apportionment committee will bear me out in it—that the people of Northern Texas, have increased more rapidly in the last eight years, than those of any other portion of the State.  And why is it Mr. Speaker, that their population augments so fast and has become so overwhelming?  It is answered thus, sir:  within the last eight or ten years the abolition spirit in the Northern portion of this Confederacy has been increasing; it has been resisted, however, until within the last six or eight years, by the conservative and patriotic citizens of that section.  They have fought gallantly, but they have at last fallen before the foe.  For a long number of years they stood in serried columns around the Constitution and the Union.  Now they are crushed down and overwhelmed by an all powerful majority.  Many of them have left the homes of their infancy and youth, as the Puritans left England, to escape persecution, on account of the faith that was in them.  Many of them have come among us because they were patriots devoted to the Constitution of their country, and wished to live where the common sentiment around them was congenial with their own.  They have settled in this Northern country because the soil and climate is adapted to the growth of such products as they have been accustomed to all their lives.  And from the fact that these slanders have been circulated all over the State, and even found an echo in this hall, they have become more sensitive on the subject of Slavery than the citizens of any other portion of the country.  And, hence, they have adopted every measure, and made use of all the means in their power, to prove that the settlers in their section of the State are not at enmity with that institution, which is the very life blood and existence of the whole South.  I have felt it my duty, as it has been suggested by friends that these reports are having their influence on this very measure, to endeavor to disabuse the minds of the members in relation to this slanderous charge brought against the people of that portion of the country. 

 

[LAGRANGE, TX] TRUE ISSUE, January 20, 1860, p. 2, c. 2 

We learn that the negro man who was forcibly taken from Mr. Henry Munger, of which mention is made in our local columns, returned to his master, Mr. Sample.  We think that he should be made to give some information of the persons who attacked Mr. Munger, as it was surely a very great outrage, and public safety demands that this matter be investigated. 

 

[LAGRANGE, TX] TRUE ISSUE, January 20, 1860, p. 2, c. 3 

Mr. Henry Munger hired a negro man from Mr. Sample, the negro rebelled and attempted to use an ax.  He was disarmed, however, but ran away.  Mr. M. pursued and caught him in this place.  He bound him and started home with him on Sunday night, when he was waylaid on the outskirts of our town, assaulted by rocks and other deadly missiles, and the negro effected his escape.  This is a most dastardly outrage, and if possible the perpetrators should be ferretted [sic] and severely dealt with.  The negro [was?] allowed too many liberties.  It [illegible] that our authorities should put a stop to the nightly prowlings and thefts of [illegible] slaves. 

 

TEXAS BAPTIST [Anderson, TX], April 6, 1860, p. 2, c. 4       

 
During the past session of our court, nineteen negroes chose masters for themselves and were made slaves for life.  Wise choice, far better than to sink to the level with the free blacks of Canada and the North. 

 

[GALVESTON, TX] THE CRISIS, September 10, 1860, p. 3, c. 3    

       
A Contrast.—When John Brown made his unsuccessful raid into Virginia, Henry A. Wise, then Governor of that State, brought all the weight of his great influence and all the power of the State to bear to bring the offenders to merited punishment and to preclude the possibility of further outbreaks.  Will the citizens of Texas contrast the action of Gov. Wise with the "masterly inactivity" of the present Executive of this State?  While his organ at Austin and some of his most prominent partisan friends are plastering over the abolition incendiarism and attempts to excite the servile population to insurrection and massacre, Governor Houston has neither uttered a word of rebuke, nor has so much as suggested a single measure of protection or defense!  What does this mean? 

 

It can be seen from the above articles that there was a pro-slavery feeling throughout the State of Texas prior to the Civil War.

 

We do know the Gill family owned slaves and a good part of their wealth was derived from the labor of these men and women (see "The Early Years" - according to the 1860 slave census they owned fifteen slaves and three slave houses.  Four of those slaves were reported fugitives).  It has also been shown that this was not a recent addition, but had gone back at least one other generation to his grand-father who also was a slave owner in Kentucky.  It has been debated that the secession of the South was a State's rights issue and has little to do with slavery, but for at least this family, the slavery issue hit hard at their live style and their pocket book.

 

As reported in the "Intrepid Gray Warriors" (Chapter 1 page 8 paragraph1 - and footnote 10 of the same chapter) "The men of the 7th Texas possessed a very small stake in the future of slavery with only 9 percent of the entire original regiment owing slaves."

 

When looking at the community around the Gill family, it is easy to see the leaning of the community.  Here are some examples of the articles from the [Marshall] "Texas Republican" beginning in early 1861, and the development of the "Bass Grays" which would also make up a part of the 7th Texas Infantry.

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[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, January 26, 1861, p. 2 c, 4  

      
Hung in Effigy.—On Thursday morning an effigy of Abraham Lincoln, duly labled [sic] and covered with various devices, was to be seen hanging upon a temporary gallows within the enclosure of our Court-house square. It was gotten up we presume by some of the "b'hoys" during the preceding night. A bad representation of Abraham; stout and fat while [illegible due to scratch in film] raw-boned, and cadaverous. Thus would the Abolition President himself be served were he to enter a Southern state, and yet there have been, and perhaps there are yet some, who hope to find him a conservative President; the chief executive of the entire Union. Such figures are disgusting and unsightly and ought not to remain pendant for a great length of time. If we had the original we would not hang him longer than half an hour.

 

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, February 16, 1861, p. 2, c. 3     

When the news reached Marshall that Texas had failed to follow promptly the glorious example of South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, the Lone Star Flag was lowered, draped in mourning, and hung at half mast, to express the mortification of our people at the action of the Convention.

 

 

On the occasion of the departure of the W.P. Lane Rangers, the first of the units commissioned from the area, a flag and address was presented by the ladies of the Marshall area.  The following article gives an insight to the temper of the public at that time.

 

Miss Sallie O. Smith:          
The undersigned Committee, in the discharge of a pleasing and acceptable duty to themselves, and in behalf of the citizens of Harrison county, respectfully request a copy of the beautiful and patriotic address delivered by you in the presentation of the Flag of the Confederate States, to the W. P. Lane Rangers, on last Saturday morning.           
The Revolution of 1776 was distinguished by the heroism and self-sacrificing spirit of your sex. It is gratifying to know and feel that the same spirit burns in the bosoms of their descendants; and that if the present revolution is to be marked by similar difficulties, trials, and dangers, that the fair ladies of the South will bear a part equally as memorable and glorious.          
You have spoken for the ladies of Harrison county, and we believe that "the thoughts that breathe and the words that burn" in your address, will find a patriotic response in the hearts of your sex throughout the limits of the State.                   
                Respectfully,                       
                A. W. Crawford,                  
                L. R. Ford,                            
                W. P. Lane,                          
                E. Greer.

Reply.

                                                Marshall, April 22, 1861.  
Gentlemen: Your polite note of this date, requesting for publication the address which your kind partiality prompted me to deliver to the gallant "W. P. Lane Rangers" on the 20th inst., is before me.      
Under ordinary circumstances, I should feel that a production so hastily written, and prepared amidst so many distractions and engagements as attended the preparation of this, would be more appropriately consigned to the privacy and oblivion of the boudoir, than to the scrutiny of public gaze. But the kindness of your invitation and the courteous and flattering terms in which your request is conveyed, overcomes my scruples and deprives me of option.    

The address is at your disposal. If this ephemeral, the offspring of a sudden effervescence of patriotic spirit, has to any extent satisfied the expectations of the Committee and will in any degree requite their gallant attentions upon the occasion of its delivery, the highest ambition of the writer will be realized.             
With very great respect for you, gentlemen, individually and collectively, I am your friend and obedient servant,                      
                Sallie O. Smith.  

  
To Messrs. A. W. Crawford, W. P. Lane, L. R. Ford, E. Greer.

Address.

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Citizen Soldiers—W. P. Lane Rangers:        

  
We come to greet you this morning as the gallant inheritors of the renown and valor of the Alamo and San Jacinto!
The tocsin of war again echoes oe'r our vales; again the manes [sic?] of slaughtered innocence and outraged humanity invoke your vengeance. The war whoop of the savage and the still more demonic yell of the dastardly Mexican call for retribution.    

       
Again the wail of woe breaks upon your generous ears. The tented field is invoked. The morning breeze and the evening zephyr, as they wing their flight from the wilds of the far West, come in tears. Tainted with the scent of blood, they bear the sad tale of conflagration and carnage.                
To arms! To arms! the patriot heart and the patriot tongue respond.      
Hail, then, chivalry of Texas! All hail ye brave sons of heroic sires!        
Our own patriot heart swells with generous pride, as we survey your manly forms, and fancy that we behold a hundred swords buckled to your sides, eager to leap from their scabbards to avenge the wrongs of savage violence, inflicted upon the widow, the orphan, and the patriot.  

Think you our hearts are untouched by magnanimous, disinterested, heroic daring? Believe it not. Know that beneath these slender forms which ordinarily your gallantry "suffers not the winds of Heaven to visit too roughly," there slumbers no indifference to your fame, your fortune or your achievements. No! no! no! In behalf of a thousand bounding and exultant hearts, in behalf of the tender mothers, wives, sisters, loved,--and it may be betrothed, ones—you leave behind; in behalf of the more than ten thousand female hearts who this day pray God speed your patriotic toils, I come to present you this pledge, a pledge designed by patriotic hearts and wrought by patriotic fingers, that they will neither forget nor forsake you; our prayers and our contributions shall follow you. Through we wield no sword, and direct no unerring ball upon the field of battle, yet, be assured that in our bosoms burn a patriotism as lofty—a courage, in our appropriate sphere, as daring—and a heroism as chivalric, as that which nerves the brawniest arm which wields the battle-axe, and cleaves down the foe upon the field of carnage. I would it were my privilege to-day to buckle every sword to your heroic sides, to engrave upon every blade, "semper paratus"—"always ready," to tender to each of you a talismanic flag, and were I permitted to do it, would say—and every true Southern woman's heart would bound in response to the sentiment—bear this where glory waits you; let no faltering hand or timid heart ere sully its brightness. Do battle under its inspiration, and if you fall, fall amidst its trophies, make its folds your winding sheet, and "look proudly to Heaven from that death bed of fame."         
Gentlemen, the occasion awakens exciting and spirit-stirring memories and associations. Who has not studied with admiration the miracles of prowess and valor achieved by Texan heroes? They are world renowned. Fame, with her thousand trumpet tongues, has no prouder note to sound. Amid this throng to-day are heroic Rangers, gallant survivors of former cohorts, who endangered life and limb in their country's service. Their scarred and wasted forms point to the death scenes of San Jacinto, Monterey, Buena Vista, Saltillo, and Mexico.                
Heroic Lane, and your brave companions in arms! Though no sculptured urn—no monumental marble, transmit your names to future generations, still, remember, that when your once stalwart frames and iron nerves shall have crumbled into dust, posterity, as her sons shall again tread the heights of Monterey, Buena Vista, Mexico, or San Jacinto, will regard those grounds as eternal mausoleums, reared by the hand of God himself, as imperishable monuments to your valor and patriotism.            

    
Then, the valorous cohorts of Texas went forth under the guidance of that Lone Star which shone so long and so gloriously upon her fortunes, and so triumphantly conducted her to the Bethlehem of safety.            
To-day, that hallowed luminary, around which cluster so many proud associations, shines in yon political firmament, girdled by six sister stars of the first magnitude. And that dazzling constellation, rising upon your vision to-day, like the seven stars in the celestial firmament, beckons you to the field, and bids you "like reapers descend to the harvest of death." How propitious its rising! Hopeful as the bow of promise which once spanned a deluged world.      

       
Rangers, the occasion is suggestive. Omens of fearful portent hourly salute us. Every gale which sweeps from the East is burdened with the machinations and menaces of maddened and discomfited Fanaticism.               
The Northern Bear so lately startled from his lair, and so recently crouching and growling before the harbor of Charleston, pretending to await the favorable moment to seize and rend his prey, has wisely taken counsel of his prudence rather than his valor, and ingloriously sought refuge under cover of a tempest. In the terror and perturbation of his flight, he abandoned his half-starved bantlings kenneled in Fort Sumpter, and consigned them to the tender mercies of Charleston cannon, shells, and sabers.      

          
All hail to the gallant Beauregard! Standing upon the ramparts of Charleston, he showed them, not the head of Medusa, but the still more appalling image of his deep-throated engines of death, gaping wide their hideous mouths charged with ten thousand thunders, and disgorging thunder-bolts, plagues, iron globes, leaden hail, and villainous saltpeter. Astounded and dismayed, they forgot resistance, dropt their idle weapons, and begged for leave to live.

               
Patriots of the Southern Confederacy, sound loud your notes of granulations—
"Raise high your torches on each crag and cliff;          
Let countless lights blaze on your battlements;            
Shout, shout amid the thunder of the storm,                
And tell the dastards what to hope."

               
A brave people take no counsel of their fears. The Leonidas of the South, surrounded by twenty thousand Confederate sons, fearless and determined as Sparta ever knew in her palmiest days, now guards that Southern Thermopylae. On its ramparts waves that seven starred flag, and sooner than it shall trail in submission to the mandates of tyranny, or one abolition track contaminate the soil which it protects, the blood of a hundred thousand Southerners will fatten the soil and dye the waters over which it floats!     

Nor will the fury of the contest end there. When your strong arms shall all be palsied in death, and your dead bodies lie piled in hecatombs upon the beach there,--and let the Lincolns and Sewards and Garrisons of the day hear it and tremble—then some Southern Pentheailea [?], some Joan—not of Arc, but of Texas; some Boadices, burning with Southern fire, shall leap from her retirement, and full panoplied, like Pallas from the head of Jupiter, shall brandish her saber and call, like avenging spirits from the deep, another hundred thousand heroines to avenge the wrongs of their brothers and their country.    

           
We will not, like Volumnia and the Roman matrons, approach the enemy's camp as suppliants, but rather in embattled squadrons, raging with the fire and fury of desperation, rush with dagger in hand and achieve victory or immolation.

               
Let the world know that Southern fathers and Southern mothers, Southern sons and Southern daughters are not to be enslaved or subdued upon Southern soil,    

        
Volunteers of the "W. P. Lane Rangers" accept this Flag. I tender it to you in the name of the fair and the brave.       
In the desert and on the mountain, in the city and in the forest, let it be your passport and your protection. On the field of carnage, where the roar of battle is loudest may this flag float high and long. And when in conflict with the foe, your gallant leader shall cast his eyes upon those stars and contemplate their import, and his bosom shall kindle with a more generous rage, and his saber shall gleam with refurnished radiance, may you his brave companions in arms, catching renewed inspiration from the same source, bear it victorious o'er every battlement and fortress which it assails. Follow where those propitious omens shall lead you, and when the renown of its career shall be chronicled, then shall some Southern Sapho strike her lyre and link your deeds to immortality. If in sustaining its honor you fall, as some of you may fall, then, as the young Ascanius during his long sleep was borne by the Goddess of Love and Beauty to Ida's consecrated mount, and laid amidst the flowers and fragrance of that hallowed retreat, so shall your memories be embalmed upon the proudest heights of Parnassus, enchanting minstrelsy shall attune your praises, and poetry and song shall shed immortal fragrance and glory around your names.  

Our parting injunction to you is, that you emulate the heroic example of the gallant leader whose worthy name you bear.      

God speed the heroic enterprises of the W. P. Lane Rangers!    

                Mr. Holcomb's reply was warm and glowing. That flag would remind him of home, of kind friends, dear relatives, and warm hearts. Could the soldier look upon a flag thus consecrated, and fail or falter in his duty? They would think of the fair forms to whom they were indebted for that gorgeous ensign of their country and their country's rights, and honor. Never would they sully or dishonor it. We hoped to publish the speech but failed to obtain it.     

The Rangers were accompanied to the outskirts of town by the Marshall Guards and large number of citizens. A brief, pointed and eloquent address was there delivered by Mr. T. J. Beall, when the Rangers took up their line of march for the west. We have no doubt that if duty calls them into action they will give a good account of themselves.     
[Roll of the W. P. Lane Rangers]

 

 

The May Day celebrations also proved to be a time of unification for the Confederate cause.

 

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, April 27, 1861, p. 2, c. 4         

    
The Flag of the Confederate States was raised at Sherman, Grayson county, Texas, on the 9th, and was hailed by the firing of guns, and the general rejoicings of the citizens. Northern Texas is rapidly becoming a unit.

 

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, April 27, 1861, p. 2, c. 4             

Military Spirit at Jonesville.—May day Celebration.—One of the finest drilled companies in this section of the State, composed of the young men of Jonesville, has been organized and offered to the Governor of the State of Texas. These are about forty members at present, and it is desired that the full complement shall be raised as early as possible. In accordance with [line lost to scratch in microfilm] will take place at Jonesville on the first day of May. The young ladies of the vicinity are preparing a banner which will be formally presented by one of their number, and an address is expected from a gentleman of talent.   

          
In addition to these attractions, there will be a May Day Celebration in which a May Day Queen will be crowned. The Marshall Guards have been specially invited to attend, and the invitation is extended to the public generally. We have no doubt there will be a large attendance, as the Railroad leaves early in the morning, and can carry any number of persons.

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In the mean time the Marshall Guards, and by inference the Waco Guards, were not being idle, but were in fact drilling and in other ways preparing for war.

 

                Headquarters Marshall Guards,                      
                May 1st, 1861      
At a meeting of the Marshall Guards, at their Armory, the following proceedings were had:             
On motion, Capt. F. S. Bass in the chair, a committee of three was appointed, consisting of K. M. Van Zandt, J. N. Coleman, and G. McKay, to draft resolutions relative to their trip to Jonesville. On motion the Chairman was added to the committee.               

The committee offered the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:               
Whereas, the Texas Hungers, on the occasion of the presentation of a flag to their Company, by the ladies at Jonesville, on the 1st of May, having invited the Marshall Guards to be present on the occasion; and whereas the gentlemanly Superintendent of the Southern Pacific R. R. Co., C. E. Hynson, having presented the Company with a free ticket over the road till the 1st of January 1862, therefore,    

Resolved, That the thanks of the Company were hereby tendered to the Texas Hunters for their invitation, and the kind and gentlemanly manner in which we were treated on said occasion.

   
Resolved, That in the opinion of this Company, that the material which compose the Texas Hunters, their proficiency in drill, their superior horsemanship, with sixteen shots to each man, render it pretty certain that when called into active service, there will be "somebody hurt."    

            
Resolved, That the thanks of this Company are tendered to C. E. Hynson, Gen. Supt., for the free use of the Railroad to and from Jonesville, for the extra preparation on our account, and for his gentlemanly and polite attention to us as a company.     

        
Resolved, That the Secretary furnish a copy of these proceedings to the Editor of the Texas Republican, a copy to Capt. Winston, of the Texas Hunters, and a copy to C. E. Hynson.                                
                F. S. Bass,                             
                K. M. Van Zandt,                               
                J. N. Coleman,                     
                G. McKay,           

 

               
[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, May 25, 1861,p. 2, c. 7

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To Young Soldiers.

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How to prepare for the Campaign.—"An Old Soldier," in one of our exchanges makes the following pithy hints to young volunteers, and they should be heeded.

1st. Remember that in a campaign more men die from sickness than from the bullet.
2nd. Line your blanket with one thickness of brown drilling. This adds but four ounces in weight and doubles the warmth.

3rd. Buy a small India-rubber blanket (only $1.50) to lay on the ground or to throw over your shoulders when on guard duty during a rain-storm. Most of the Eastern troops are provided with these. Straw to lie upon is not always to be had.

4th. The best military hat in use is the light colored soft felt; the crown being sufficiently high to allow space for air over the brain. You can fasten it up as a continental in fair weather, or turn it down when it is wet or very sunny.
5th. Let your beard grow so as to protect the throat and lungs.

6th. Keep your entire person clean; this prevents fevers and bowel complaints in warm climate. Wash your body each day if possible. Avoid strong coffee and oily meat. Gen. Scott said that the too free use of these (together with neglect in keeping the skin clean,) cost many a soldier his life in Mexico.

7th. A sudden check of perspiration by chilly or night air often causes fever and death. When thus exposed do not forget your blanket.

 

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, June 1, 1861, p. 2, c. 1

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For the Ladies.

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                As Col. E. Greer is now engaged (by order of Hon. L. P. Walker, Secretary of War) in organizing a regiment of volunteers, who will leave for the field of battle, in ten or fifteen days; it behooves us all to assist in every possible way those who are leaving all, and risking all in defense of our rights, our homes, and all that is dear or sacred to us on earth; and I would humbly suggest to our lady friends, who are ever ready to encourage and assist in all humane labors, that they meet at the Court House, next Tuesday, at 3 o'clock, P.M., for the purpose of supplying lint, bandages, and all such articles as may be useful to the sick and wounded.            
Will not some of our physicians be present, as their advice would be useful.                         
                W. C. Dunlap.

 

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, June 1, 1861, p. 2, c. 1     

          
Don't forget to save garden seeds, for if the war continues, it will be impossible to get them next year. Besides, we must, in any event, learn to live without the North.

 

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, June 1, 1861, p. 2, c. 3

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Departure of the Marshall Guards.

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                On Tuesday morning last, the Marshall Guards under the command of Capt. F. S. Bass, took up their line of march to join the Confederate army. Capt. Bass is a proficient in military tactics, having for years taught a military school, is a brave man, and will make an excellent and efficient officer. We are not personally acquainted with every individual in his command, but we are satisfied that he has some as good and true men as ever went forth to battle, and we do not doubt that every member will prove himself worthy of the noble cause.    

The ladies of Marshall, several weeks ago, sent off the money for the necessary materials to make a beautiful flag for this company, but failed to get it. As the Company were about to leave, a number of them prepared a flag with such material as they could get. It was not very fine but the young men will remember the warm hearts of the fair donors, and it will appear beautiful to them.

Between 8 and 9 o'clock in the morning, the company assembled on the public square, to receive this flag, and the fond "good-bye" of relatives and friends. It was an interesting and imposing sight. War's dread clarion has summoned them to the field, and men resolved "to do or die," may never return again. Hands clasped hands in expressive silence; many of the assembly were melted to tears. Col. Alexander Pope, in behalf of the ladies of Marshall, presented the flag, with an appropriate and eloquent address, in which he reviewed briefly the causes of the war, and the necessity of action; applauded the Guards for their patriotism; assured them that those left at home would sympathies with all their movements; that if they fell, their friends would follow to avenge their deaths; and that if they too fell, the children of the country, trained to arms and drilled for the emergency, would, in turn, fill their places. In fine, that the South would suffer extermination before subjugation.  

The Marshall Guards, were this reaches many of our readers, will be in New Orleans, and perhaps half-way to Virginia. They carry with them the warmest wishes and highest hopes of our people.

 

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, June 8, 1861, p. 1, c. 7               

At West Point, Georgia, a company of Jews are organized, and an oath taken by the members requiring half an hour in the reading. A splendid banner was presented to the company, bearing the inscription "Jehova nissi"—"God is with us," and the Ensign on receiving it took a solemn oath to plant it on the Capitol at Washington, or die in the attempt.—Baltimore American.

 

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, June 8, 1861, p. 2, c. 6

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Departure of the Marshall Guards.

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R. W. Loughery, Esq.         
Dear Sir:--The Marshall Guards, after leaving home reached Swanson's Landing, where they expected to take a boat the same day for New Orleans. They were disappointed, however, and did not leave there until Thursday morning. The steamers Texas and Fleta, were both above, and the company expected to take passage on the Texas; she did not get down until Wednesday evening, and when she came, she refused to land. She had on board Capt. Clopton's company, the Star Rifles from Cass, besides considerable freight.       

        
After the Texas left, the Guards, believing that she had other reasons besides that of low water, for refusing to take them, held an indignation meeting, and passed resolutions condemning the boat, and requesting their friends behind to withhold their patronage from her in future. They dispatched two messengers that night to New Orleans, with their muster roll, one to go by Vicksburg, the other to go on the Texas. But when they reached Shreveport, they found that it was the intention of the Texas to take them down, and that she would wait their arrival, which she did. The company reached there on Thursday evening on the Fleta. The Guards appointed a committee to wait on the Captain of the Texas, for an explanation, which he gave to their satisfaction—the boat is therefore exonerated from all blame.     

Our two Texas companies were received by the Shreveport Sentinels, and the three together, marched through several of the principal streets, then back to the wharf where several patriotic speeches were made. Col. Austin and Col. Landrum spoke for the citizens, and Capt. Clopton responded in behalf of his company, and T. P. Ochiltree for the Guards. Tom never appeared to a better advantage than on that occasion. He was loudly cheered by the citizens, and particularly when he alluded to their deserted streets, as the best evidence of the patriotism of their people, and, sir, the streets of Shreveport are deserted; inquire for some friend, and you were told he was at Pickens, in Virginia, or at some other place ready to die for the South. The ladies were present in great numbers, and when Tom concluded his speech, beautiful bouquets fell at his feet, from all directions.      

          
At 12 o'clock on Thursday night, our company went aboard the Texas, and she left immediately for New Orleans. Our company expecting to get a boat at Swanson's, carried no provisions with them—but several gentlemen of the neighborhood were there, and went immediately home and sent in provisions by the cart-load, and continued to do so until we left. The company wish to return publicly their thanks to Capt. Winston, Levin Perry, Col. Hood, Maj. Andrews and others, for their kind and hospitable treatment; and particularly to Mrs. Mary F. Swanson, who furnished provisions in abundance, and also beds and blankets for the men to sleep on—and before we left on Thursday morning, she presented to Capt. Bass, for the use of the men, a considerable sum of money, and as the boat moved off, three cheers were given to the fair dame, that made the welkin ring. I heard several of the boys declare it would be a luxury to fight, and if necessary to die, in defense of the rights of such people as live in the neighborhood of Swanson's Landing.     

                                                           .

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, June 22, 1861, p. 2, c. 3     

        
Bass Grays.—This company, named in honor of Capt. F. S. Bass, who is now in Virginia, in command of the Marshall Guards, is now fully organized, and will, in a short time, be handsomely uniformed. It is commanded by Capt. K. M. Van Zandt. The material for the uniforms is now on hand. Several of the Marshall ladies have expressed their willingness to make it up for the company, and there are doubtless other ladies who would take pleasure in assisting in this patriotic work. All who are desirous of thus assisting will please send in their names to the committee, composed of Messrs. Pope, Horr, and Talley. The names can be left at Ford & Horr's, or at Bradfield & Talley's.

 

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, June 29, 1861, p. 2, c. 4             

Artillery Company.—The Germans of Marshall will meet on Monday night, at the Armory, for the purpose of organizing an Artillery Company. Several of these Germans have seen active service, are thoroughly drilled artillerists, and all that can do so, are solicitous of serving their adopted country, in the existing war.

 

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, June 28, 1861, p. 2, c. 7

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The following was handed us by Hon. W. T. Scott, upon his return from New Orleans. We are also indebted to him for late city papers.

Soldiers' Thanks.

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                The "Marshall Guards" (Texas) desire to return their sincere thanks to Mrs. Stevens and Mrs. McCants, managers of the "Ladies Sewing Society," for the Confederate States Army, No. 82 Camp Street, New Orleans. Also to Mrs. H. Parsons, who volunteered especially for the "Marshall Guards." These patriotic ladies have been constantly engaged for the last ten days in making our uniforms, and doing all in their power to equip us expeditiously as possible; none of them have enjoyed the comforts of home during that period, but have been constantly engaged in their noble task, to fit us out for the war.               
Col. S. H. Peek, (Wheeler & Wilson sewing machines,) was also liberal and generous in his attention to us; kindly giving the use of five machines, and competent hands to the Ladies of the Society, for the benefit of the Guards' uniform.     

      
Mr. R. Pitkin, wholesale clothier, Camp St., also desires our thanks for his attention to us while in the city.   
To these noble, self-sacrificing, and patriotic ladies, Mrs. Stevens, McCants, and Parsons, as well as the many ladies who have assisted them in their laudable endeavors to send us out in "harness" to the battle field, we again return our heart-felt thanks. We will ever remember them, and cordially commend them to the people of Texas.
With such heroines inspiring us with their Spartan firmness, and gentle sympathy in the glorious cause in which we are engaged, we cannot but succeed.         
All hail to the noble matrons of New Orleans.                              
                S. W. Webb,                         
                C. S. Mills,                            
                Adam Hope,                        
                James Poague,                    
                B. S. Pope.                            
                Committee on Uniform.    
Col. Scott, we understand, contributed $200 to the purchase of the material for these uniforms.

 

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, July 20, 1861, p. 2, c. 2

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The "Bass Grays."

                On Monday morning this company left for Col. M. L. Locke's encampment at the Chalibeate Springs, in Upshur county. On Saturday evening a flag was presented them by the ladies of Marshall, through Hon. C. A. Frazer, who made a very sensible, well-timed, practical, patriotic speech, which was responded to, in behalf of the Company, by Mr. S. Lassiter, whose effort has been highly spoken of by those who heard it. Judge Frazer expressed his gratification at the course pursued by the Governor in ordering all the troops likely to be called into active service into encampments. In his opinion, it was the best and most sensible move that had yet been made. . ..

 

 

"The 7th Texas (Infantry) was raised by thirty-three year old John Gregg in 1861.  The nine companies that formed the regiment were mustered into confederate service at Marshall, Texas, during the first week of October 1861 (There seems some point of conflict.  According to information received from the Confederate Museum [see appendix b] the 7th Texas Infantry was organized in both Waco and Marshal, Texas and was mustered into Confederate service at Waco).  William A. Gill, according to the National Archives (see attached records) enlisted on 2 October 1861 at Marshall, Texas, and would have enlisted for a period of three years or the duration of the war.  This agrees with the Loveland Notes, "William Alexander Gill had enlisted in the Confederate Army early in 1861, Company “A” 7th Texas Infantry, Gen. Granbury’s Brigade."

The companies that made up the 7th Texas Infantry:

 

A Company     led by Captain H. B. Granbury           "Waco Rifles"
B Company     led by Captain R. S. Camp                 "Texas Patriots"

C Company     led by Captain E. T. Broughton          "Johnson Guards"

D Company     led by Captain K. M. Van Zandt        "Bass Grays"

E Company     led by Captain Jack Davis                  "Cherokee Rifles"

F Company     led by Captain W. H. Smith               "Lone Star Rebels"

G Company     led by Captain W. L. Moddy             "Freestone Freeman"

H Company     led by Captain W. B. Hill                   "Texas Invincibles"

I Company      led by Captain J. W. Brown               "Sabine Grays"

 

I was able to get this insight from "Intrepid Gray Warriors: The 7th Texas Infantry, 1861 - 1865" 

"The companies that arrived in Marshall during the last weeks of September 1861, contained rugged frontiersmen who believed they were ready to face the harsh realities of war.  Although these units had received little training and only a few had engaged in drills with more than one company, some notable exceptions did exist.  The Bass Grays had participated in joint exercises at Chalybeate Springs in Upshur County, with Rusk's "Sabine Blues" and Wood's "Rough and Readies," in preparation for the possible call to service.  Some of the other companies, such as the Lone Star Rebels and Sabine Grays, had practiced with other militia companies.  After seeing men from other units, Lieutenant J. Sam Norvell of the "Waco Guards" stated in a letter home, "we are dark and rough looking like we were prepared for almost anything, the others are as fair and delicate as though they had never seen the sun in their lives."

 

Unlike today's army, the volunteers would have been required to bring their own equipment including their own fire arms.  "Each volunteer furnished a gun, preferably a rifle instead of the popular and prevalent double-barrel shotgun, and a large knife. For these the War Department agreed to provide reimbursement.  Men brought anything they could find, hoping the Confederate Government would replace their old or broken weapon with a new rifle at some future date." (Intrepid Gray Warriors: the 7th Texas Infantry, 1861-1865 by James Lynn Newsom; page 4 paragraph 2). The unit was helped by a call for arms in the (Marshall) Texas Republican.

 

 

 This article was a plea by Col. Gregg for arms to supply his unit prior to departing for the war.

 

[MARSHALL] TEXAS REPUBLICAN, September 28, 1861, p. 2, c. 2

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An Appeal to the Citizens of Harrison.

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                Col. Gregg's Regiment will be ready in a few days to march to the seat of war. But one thing remains, and that is the question of arms. No one doubts that the services of these men, and tens of thousands of others are needed immediately, and that unless they are placed promptly in the field disastrous consequences may follow. The Confederate Government has exhausted its supply of arms, and the question is presented, will they be furnished from the private arms in the country?       

      
The late inventory of the private arms in the State, instituted under the order of General Clark, has proved conclusively that there are a sufficient number of guns in Texas to army every company that may be sent to the war, and leave a sufficient number behind for home defense. This inventory exhibited what no one would have believed in reference to this county, in which it was found that there were between twenty-one and twenty-two hundred guns, with the number in one or two precincts not reported. Say [illegible due to fold] in Gregg's Regiment get off there will not be over 700 men left in Harrison capable of bearing arms, showing that this county alone can furnish 1800 guns and have enough left to arm every man remaining at home.  

It is desired, therefore, that every man who has a gun that he can possibly spare, will bring it in without delay, and deposit it at the store of Messrs. G. G. Gregg & Co., or at Messrs. Bradfield & Talley's, where it will be examined, and a fair price allowed for it in Confederate paper.    

The undersigned deem it unnecessary to make an appeal to the patriotism of the people. Men who volunteer for the defense of the country, ought not to be kept idle for the want of arms, and the man who stays at home, and is unwilling to surrender his gun for such a cause, is, to say the least of it, a poor patriot. But we want our fellow citizens to be prompt so that the Regiment may not be unnecessarily delayed.                                
                J. F. Womack,                     
                G. G. Gregg,                          
                A. Pope,                                
                J. B. Webster.

 

 

The need for arms and supplies plagued the Confederate Army from the beginning.  It was also an issue with the 7th.

 

The Waco Guards were a Civil War company organized from McLennan County. Sworn into service on October 1 and 2,1861, in Marshall, the unit had four officers and 71 men. According to History of Company A, 7th Texas Infantry, The Waco Guards by Tim Bell, "the men who would later form the Seventh Texas (infantry) were sent from Marshall to Memphis, and from there to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where Albert Sidney Johnston, the overall Confederate commander in the west, was trying to build an army and secure Kentucky of the Confederacy."

 

What set the Waco Guards apart from their Texas brethren were buttons affixed to their jackets and coats. The two-piece buttons had the words "Waco Guards" surrounding a lone five point star. According to Tom Holder's book Lone Star General this belt plate has been associated with various central Texas military units both pre-war, war-time, and post-war. Although normally attributed to men serving in company "A" (the Waco Guards) of the Seventh Texas Infantry, the plate may have been used by early ranger companies from 1860 through the Civil War and possibly worn by Texas Rangers well into the 19th century.

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