County Named for Prominent Confederate Colonel O. M. Roberts
Miami, Roberts County, Texas
Marker Inscription
1815-1898. President Secession Convention 1861, resulting in comment by Sam Houston, "I don't know what they will do, but Roberts is honest." Raised 11th Texas Infantry. Gallantly led brigade Battle Bayou Bourbeau, La. Chief Justice Texas Supreme Court under Confederacy and state. Federal Reconstruction policy caused his removal from bench 1865, denial U.S. Senate seat 1866. Elected governor by people, 1878 and 1880. A memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy. Erected by the State of Texas 1963.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Oran Milo Roberts presided over the 1861 convention that carried Texas out of the Union—prompting Sam Houston's wry verdict, 'I don't know what they will do, but Roberts is honest'—then raised the 11th Texas Infantry and led a brigade in Louisiana. He served as chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court under the Confederacy, was removed by federal Reconstruction authorities, and later won two terms as governor. Roberts County in the Panhandle bears his name.
Why it matters
Roberts's career maps the arc of Texas secession, Confederate service, Reconstruction, and Redemption, and the marker frames his memory within the state's Confederate commemorative tradition.
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Related people
- · Oran Milo Roberts
- · Sam Houston
Related events
- · Texas Secession Convention
- · Battle of Bayou Bourbeau
Themes & tags
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