General W. H. King
Sulphur Springs, Hopkins County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(Star and Wreath) Home county of Texas Confederate. (1839-1910) Georgian. Moved to Texas 1861. Rose to rank of colonel, 18th Texas Infantry. Led regiment in Red River Campaign of 1863 to prevent split of South along Mississippi. Commanded the 18th in Red River Campaign 1864 to stop invasion of Texas. Wounded Mansfield, La. and made brigadier general. Recovered to lead Walker's Division for a time and brigades in Louisiana and East Texas. Texas adjutant general 1881-91. A memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy. Erected by the state of Texas 1963. Texas in the Civil War: Texas made an all-out effort for the Confederacy after a 3 to 1 vote for secession. 90,000 troops, famous for daring and mobility, fought on every battlefront. A 2,000 mile frontier and coastline was successfully defended from Union troops and savage Indians. State and private industry produced war goods. Cotton - life blood of South - traded thru Mexico for medicine and military supplies. Texas was storehouse of Western Confederacy. Citizens made sacrifices to produce food and clothing for Texas fighting men.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This memorial honors General William H. King, a Georgian who moved to Texas in 1861 and rose to command the 18th Texas Infantry. He led his regiment through the Red River campaigns of 1863 and 1864 that helped keep Union forces from splitting the Confederacy or invading Texas, was wounded at Mansfield and promoted to brigadier general, and later served as the state's adjutant general. The marker doubles as a broader tribute to the roughly 90,000 Texans who fought for the Confederacy.
Why it matters
King's career frames Texas's heavy commitment to the Confederate war effort and the state's role as the "storehouse" of the western Confederacy.
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Related people
- · William H. King
Related events
- · Red River Campaign
Themes & tags
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