Xavier Blanchard Debray
Austin, Travis County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Came to Texas from France 1848. Spanish newspaper publisher. Joined Confederate Army as 1st Lieutenant Tom Green's Rifles 1861. Served aide-de-camp Texas Governor Francis R. Lubbock. Major 2nd Regiment Texas Infantry. Colonel 26th Texas Cavalry known as Debray's Regiment, used extensively for frontier scouting, reconnaissance, attacking and fighting delaying actions. Commander Eastern District Texas and Galveston defenses. Made Brigadier General 1864 after Red River Campaign to prevent the invasion of Texas. Erected by the State of Texas 1963
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Xavier Blanchard Debray emigrated from France to Texas in 1848 and made his living publishing a Spanish-language newspaper before the Civil War. Joining the Confederate army as a lieutenant in 1861, he served as an aide to Governor Francis Lubbock and rose to colonel of the 26th Texas Cavalry—Debray's Regiment—used heavily for frontier scouting and delaying actions. He commanded the defenses of Galveston and eastern Texas and was made brigadier general in 1864 after the Red River campaign.
Why it matters
Debray's path from French immigrant newspaperman to Confederate general shows how European newcomers were woven into Texas society and its wartime leadership.
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Related people
- · Xavier Blanchard Debray
- · Francis R. Lubbock
Related events
- · Red River Campaign
Themes & tags
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