Guadalupe County, C.S.A.
Seguin, Guadalupe County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Star and Wreath Two local companies of volunteers were with Ben McCulloch in San Antonio, Feb. 16, 1861 when U.S. Arsenal was surrounded by Texans and surrender demanded. An encounter in a charged atmosphere which could have become the first armed conflict of Civil War but ended without a shot being fired and U.S. troops leaving state. County voted 314-22 for secession but "both sides" given in newspapers renamed to reflect views; "Mercury" became "The Southern Confederacy"; "Journal", "The Union Democrat". Camp Clark, 17 mi. NE, site of training for many of 350 men serving south. Co. D, 4th Tex. Inf. fought thru war in Hood's famed brigade. Plants made wagons, flour, tinware, ox yokes for army. Tannery made leather by exclusive process of Mesquite as tannin source. BACK: Gen. Ben McCulloch (1811-62) Gen. Henry E. McCulloch (1816-95) Tennessee gave Texas these illustrious brothers. Ben: fought in 1836 Battle of San Jacinto, was noted surveyor, lawman, Indian fighter; served General Zachary Taylor as scout in Mexican War; led state forces at San Antonio, Feb. 1861; as Brig. Gen., C.S.A. commanded troops in Arkansas, Indian Territory; in Wilson's Creek, Mo. victory 1861; killed at Battle Pea Ridge, Ark. Buried in State Cemetery in Austin. Henry: Texas lawman, Indian fighter, and legislator; Civil War service performed in Texas as Col., Brig. Gen. of state and Confederate forces protecting frontier against Indians, renegades, threat of Federal invasion from 1861-65. Out of state action in Vicksburg Campaign 1863. Buried in San Geronimo Cemetery in Seguin. Erected by the State of Texas 1963
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
This marker recounts Guadalupe County's Confederate years, opening with the tense February 1861 standoff at the U.S. Arsenal in San Antonio, where local volunteers under Ben McCulloch forced the surrender without a shot. The county voted overwhelmingly for secession, its newspapers renamed to declare their loyalties, and its men trained at nearby Camp Clark, with Company D of the 4th Texas Infantry fighting through the war in Hood's Texas Brigade. The reverse honors the Tennessee-born McCulloch brothers, Ben killed at Pea Ridge and Henry defending the Texas frontier as a Confederate general.
Why it matters
The marker captures how the Civil War mobilized an entire Texas county, from its politics and press to its factories and famous generals, in the Confederate cause.
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Related people
- · Gen. Ben McCulloch
- · Gen. Henry E. McCulloch
Related events
- · Texas secession (1861)
- · Battle of Pea Ridge
- · Battle of Wilson's Creek
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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