Colonel Isham Chisum
Kaufman, Kaufman County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(1818-1884) One of leading early citizens of Kaufman County. Represented the county in Texas Secession Convention, Jan.-March 1861. Later in 1861, he fought in Confederate cavalry of Col. Tom Green in New Mexico campaign. As Colonel of 2nd Partisan Rangers, Walker's Division, fought at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill (La.), in Red River Campaign to prevent a Federal invasion of Texas in 1864. A cousin of Jesse Chisholm, who pioneered famous Chisholm Cattle Trail, and of cattle baron John Simpson Chisum, Col. Chisum married Charlotte Martin. They have many descendants in Texas.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Isham Chisum was among Kaufman County's leading early citizens, representing it at the Texas Secession Convention in early 1861. He then rode with Col. Tom Green's Confederate cavalry in the New Mexico campaign and, as colonel of the 2nd Partisan Rangers in Walker's Division, fought at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill during the 1864 Red River Campaign that turned back a Federal invasion of Texas. He was a cousin of trailblazers Jesse Chisholm and cattle baron John Simpson Chisum.
Why it matters
Chisum's career ties one North Texas family to both the Confederate war effort and the famous cattle-trail dynasty that shaped the American West.
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Related people
- · Isham Chisum
- · Tom Green
- · Jesse Chisholm
- · John Simpson Chisum
Related events
- · Texas Secession Convention
- · Red River Campaign
- · Battle of Mansfield
- · Battle of Pleasant Hill
Themes & tags
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