Honoring Texas Confederate General August C. Buchel
Cuero, DeWitt County, Texas
Marker Inscription
1811-1864 Educated in stern military schools of Prussia. Was in French Legion and army of Turkey. Knighted in Spain after work in Carlist wars. Came to Texas 1845. In Mexican War 1846-47. Later became Port of Lavaca customs collector. Commanded Confederates at Brownsville, 1862-63. In charge of roads exporting cotton, beef, importing corn, munitions, medicines and factory goods thru Mexico. Foreign ships waited beyond territorial waters. Their goods were exchanged for Confederate cotton, hauled to them by small boats. Goods then came north, via Buchel post. Buchel's regiment, 1st Texas cavalry, in 1863 was organized with nucleus from 1st Texas Mounted Rifles. In Buchel's regiment were Taylor's Texas Riflemen of DeWitt County. 1863-64 Buchel had a great role in Texas coastal defense, most dramatic chapter in Confederate history. In command of Sabine District, Buchel harried Federal blockade fleet with infantry, cavalry. One Buchel duty was to protect blockade-runners. Also handled prize ships. He held Niblett's Bluff, La., when 20,000 Federals with much artillery tried a breakthrough to Texas there, Oct. - Nov., 1863. Jan. 1864 defended Caney's Bayou, Tex., from Federal gunboat attack. During 1864 Red River Campaign to save Texas from invasion, Buchel's regiment at Pleasant Hill, La. routed a Federal ambush. Buchel fell of mortal wounds and died two days later - "An irreparable loss to his country". Buried in Texas State Cemetery, Austin. Erected by the State of Texas 1964
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
August C. Buchel arrived in Texas in 1845 already a seasoned European soldier, having trained in Prussia and fought in the Carlist wars in Spain before serving in the U.S.-Mexican War. As a Confederate colonel he commanded the 1st Texas Cavalry and played a central role in Texas coastal defense, guarding the vital cotton trade that ran through Mexico around the Federal blockade. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Pleasant Hill during the 1864 Red River Campaign and is buried in the Texas State Cemetery.
Why it matters
His career illustrates both the immigrant experience in early Texas and the Confederacy's improvised, blockade-running economy that kept the Trans-Mississippi supplied during the Civil War.
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Related people
- · August C. Buchel
Related events
- · Battle of Pleasant Hill
- · Red River Campaign
Themes & tags
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