County Named for Texas Confederate Captain Gustav Schleicher
Eldorado, Schleicher County, Texas
Marker Inscription
1823-1879 Chief purchasing agent, army engineer department for Southern armies West Mississippi. Bought desperately needed intrenching tools, iron, steel, lead and turpentine. Imported much material from Europe through Mexico by the exchange of cotton, "life blood of Confederacy." Established two engineer depots in Texas, designed fortifications and ponton trains. Repaired tools from surrendered U.S. frontier forts. A memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy. Erected by the State of Texas 1963
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Schleicher County takes its name from Gustav Schleicher (1823–1879), who served the Confederacy as chief purchasing agent and army engineer west of the Mississippi. He procured scarce entrenching tools, iron, steel, and lead — much of it imported from Europe through Mexico in exchange for cotton, the "life blood" of the Southern war economy — and established engineer depots and fortifications in Texas. The State of Texas erected this marker in 1963 as a memorial to Texans who served the Confederate cause.
Why it matters
Schleicher's work reveals the logistical and industrial machinery behind the Confederate war effort, a dimension of the Civil War often overshadowed by its battles.
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Related people
- · Gustav Schleicher
Themes & tags
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