Texas Germans in the Civil War
New Braunfels, Comal County, Texas
Marker Inscription
In 1861, ten heavily German counties in Texas voted against secession, though Comal County was as exception. States' rights puzzled some voters. Many had lately taken naturalization oaths. After secession, some avoided military duty from concern about their families. Others left to join U.S.units. Majority sentiment supported the Confederacy. Three companies from Comal, with other German troops, were praised for their discipline, high morale and skill, and the pride with which they defended Texas.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When Texas voted on secession in 1861, ten heavily German counties opposed leaving the Union, an unusual dissent in a Confederate state—though Comal County broke the other way. Many German Texans had only recently taken naturalization oaths and found the doctrine of states' rights hard to parse; some avoided service out of concern for their families while others slipped away to join U.S. units. Still, the majority backed the Confederacy, and three companies from Comal County earned praise for their discipline and morale.
Why it matters
It captures the divided loyalties of immigrant communities in the Civil War South, where newly naturalized Germans weighed old-world liberal ideals against pressure to prove their allegiance to Texas.
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Related events
- · Texas secession
- · American Civil War
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
New Braunfels
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