Colonel Thomas R. Bonner
Tyler, Smith County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(Star and Wreath) (1836-1891) Born in Mississippi. Came to Texas 1849. In Texas militia at start of Civil War. Elected captain Co. C, 18th Tex. Infantry, C. S. A., 1862. Commanded 18th as Colonel, 1863-65. Gallantly led unit in battles at Bourbeau, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, La. and Jenkins' Ferry, Ark., all being vital actions to prevent Federal invasions of Texas. After the war, admitted to bar and practiced law in Tyler. Served in 11-15th Texas Legislatures and as speaker of the house in 1876. Founded the first bank in Tyler. Leader in building Tyler Tap Railroad. Established an insurance company. Trustee East Texas University. Grand Master of Masons in Texas, 1875. Texas made an all-out effort for the Confederacy after a 3 to 1 popular vote for secession. 90,000 troops, famed for mobility and daring, fought on every battlefront. A 2,000-mile frontier and coast were successfully defended from Union troop invasion and savage Indians. Texas was the storehouse of Western Confederacy. Wagon trains laden with cotton - life blood of the South - crossed the state to Mexico to trade for medical supplies, clothing, military supplies. State and private industry produced guns, ammunition, wagons, pots, kettles, leather goods, salt, hospital supplies. Wives, sons, daughters, slaves provided corn, cotton, cloth, cattle, hogs, cured meats to the army, giving much, keeping little for themselves.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Mississippi-born Thomas R. Bonner came to Texas in 1849 and, at the outbreak of the Civil War, joined the state militia before being elected captain and then colonel of the 18th Texas Infantry, C.S.A. He led the regiment in Louisiana and Arkansas battles—Bourbeau, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and Jenkins' Ferry—that helped block Federal invasions of Texas. After the war he practiced law in Tyler, served in the legislature as speaker of the house, founded the town's first bank, and helped build its railroad.
Why it matters
Bonner's postwar career—banker, legislator, railroad builder—shows how former Confederate officers helped shape the economic and political rebuilding of Texas after the Civil War.
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Related people
- · Thomas R. Bonner
Related events
- · Battle of Mansfield
- · Battle of Pleasant Hill
- · Battle of Jenkins' Ferry
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Smith County, C. S. A.
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