Lawson Daniel Gratz
Willow Park, Parker County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Born on September 15, 1839 in Mason County, Kentucky on the plantation of Benjamin Gratz, Lawson Gratz worked as a farmer for his owner prior to the Civil War. Lawson was directed by his owner to enlist in the Federal army on July 24, 1864 at Lexington, Kentucky. Enlistment papers show that Lawson had received some education as his papers displayed his own signature. After enlistment, he proceeded to Camp Nelson where Black soldiers were stationed and was soon promoted to first sergeant of Company C in the 114th U.S. Colored Infantry. Gratz served with the 114th at the Siege of Petersburg and Richmond and was present at the Appomattox Courthouse when Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered. Gratz was discharged in May 1865 but reenlisted in August 1867 in the 10th U.S. Calvary, known as the Buffalo Soldiers. While assigned to maintain order in Indian Territory, Gratz was injured by exploding gunpowder and lost the sight in his right eye. Despite the injury, Gratz refused a discharge and completed his enlistment. Following his five-year enlistment, Gratz moved to Texas and headed to Fort Griffin where he worked as a civilian teamster hauling buffalo hides to markets in Weatherford and Dallas. Gratz married sixteen-year-old Rosa Dedman, the daughter of a former slave and co-worker of Gratz, on September 27, 1877 at Fort Griffin in Albany, Shackelford County. The marriage lasted 32 years and produced 14 children. The Gratz family moved in 1892 from Shackelford County to Annetta in Parker County and purchased a small farm. Gratz died on June 18, 1909 and shall be remembered for his strong leadership and devotion to duty. 175 Years of Texas Independence * 1836 - 2011
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born into slavery in 1839 on a Kentucky plantation, Lawson Daniel Gratz enlisted in the Federal army in 1864 and rose to first sergeant in the 114th U.S. Colored Infantry, serving at the sieges of Petersburg and Richmond and standing at Appomattox when Lee surrendered. He later reenlisted with the 10th U.S. Cavalry — the Buffalo Soldiers — and kept serving even after an explosion cost him the sight in one eye. Settling at last in Parker County, he raised fourteen children and was remembered for his leadership and unbending devotion to duty.
Why it matters
Gratz's journey from enslavement to the U.S. Colored Troops and the Buffalo Soldiers embodies the central African American struggle for freedom and citizenship in Civil War and frontier America.
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Related people
- · Lawson Daniel Gratz
- · Rosa Dedman
Related events
- · Siege of Petersburg
- · Appomattox surrender
Themes & tags
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