John A. Wharton
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Came to Texas from Tennessee. Prominent orator, jurist, and prosecutor. Delegate Texas Secession Convention 1861. Joined Confederate Army as Captain Company "B" Terry's Texas Rangers. After Terry was killed Wharton elected Colonel and led this famous regiment Battle Shiloh and Kentucky Campaign 1862. Twice wounded and made Brigadier General for bravery in action. Promoted Major General 1863 after brilliant fighting Chickamauga Campaign. Gallantly led cavalry corps Red River Campaign to prevent invasion of Texas 1864. Erected by the State of Texas 1963
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
A Tennessee-born orator and prosecutor, John A. Wharton served as a delegate to the Texas Secession Convention in 1861 before joining Terry's Texas Rangers as a company captain. When Colonel Terry was killed, Wharton was elected to lead the famous cavalry regiment, fighting at Shiloh and through the Kentucky campaign. Twice wounded and repeatedly promoted for bravery, he rose to major general in 1863 after Chickamauga and led a cavalry corps in the 1864 Red River campaign.
Why it matters
Wharton's rise from courtroom orator to major general reflects how the Confederacy drew its officer corps from the antebellum civic elite, and Terry's Texas Rangers became one of the war's most storied cavalry commands.
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Related people
- · John A. Wharton
- · Benjamin Franklin Terry
Related events
- · Battle of Shiloh
- · Chickamauga Campaign
- · Red River Campaign
Themes & tags
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