index3

3rd TEXAS CAVALRY REGIMENT,
CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY
Also known as a South Kansas - Texas Regiment but recruited in north Texas

This page was copied from Ron Brothers site and credit for most of the data and design are his. Other data has been added from several books such as Douglas Hale’s, Third Texas Cavalry and from material from John Rigdon and his Eastern Digital Resources.

The Third Texas Cavalry Regiment was recruited by Elkanah Greer, a farmer from Marshall, in Harrison County. It was organized in Dallas on June 13, 1861, and mustered into Confederate service at Dallas on June 13, 1861. Greer was elected Colonel, Walter Paye Lane from Harrison County was Lt Colonel and George W. Chilton from Smith County was elected Major. The following were elected company commanders by County and Company; Thomas W. Winston, Harrison, Co. A; Robert H. Cumby, Rusk, Co. B; Francis M. Taylor, Cherokee, Co. C; Stephen M. Hale, Hunt and Fannin, Co. D; Daniel M. Short, St Augustine and Shelby, Co. E; Isham Chism, Kaufman, Co. F; Hinche P. Mabry, Marion, Co. G; Jonathan L. Russell, Upshur, Co. H; John Arthur Bryan, Cass, Co. I; David Y. Gaines, Smith, Co. K. (See David Hale’s book for better data and description of these captains.) From this regiment came three brigadier generals; Whitfield, Lane and Ector.

By August the unit headed into the Indian Territory to fight for General McCullogh in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. Their first battle was at Wilson's Creek, Missouri, where they woke on the 10th of August 1861 to the sound of cannon fire of Union artillery and seeing Union troops advancing. Though the regiment was thoroughly surprised and was initially raddled, it managed to regroup. The Confederate forces drove the Union forces back to Springfield, but failed to follow and crush them. The regiment lost 6 killed, 23 wounded and 6 missing.

The 3^rd’s next battle was in the Indian Territories at Chustenahlah with a five company detachment, led by Lt Colonel Lane, on December 26, 1861. This was the first time the 3rd fought with the 6th and 9th Texas Cavalries, but it was not their last. The Southern force quickly overcame a Union Indian force and ended Union control of the IT for a couple of years, but the units did suffer some hunger and extreme cold. The 3^rd lost Lt Durham and 4 others.

Next the unit fought at Elkhorn Tavern until General Van Dorn decided to retreat his forces after losing three senior officers and running short of ammunition. The 3^rd had been in reserve and did not lose a man. Col. Greer was the commander of the western side of the battle after the deaths of two generals and the capture of the senior Colonel and did not learn this till late in the day. He sent runners to Van Dorn’s command and offered to fight on, but it was too late.

In April 1862 General Van Dorn decided to dismount all Texas cavalry to fight as Infantry. In May the Regiment reorganized and R. H. Cumby was elected Colonel. Lt Colonel Lane resigned because he did not want to lead Infantry. H. P. Mabry was elected Lt Colonel and J.J.A Barker was made Major. Because Cumby was ill, Lane stayed until Cumby could command. The regiment’s next serious event was deception in covering the evacuation of Corinth. It went well except for the loss of Major Barker, who on his horse became a main target and a few others.

At the Battle of Iuka, Mississippi, the 3^rd ran head on into a Union division and lost 22 men killed and 74 wounded, of the 388 men who were engaged. Captain Green of Co. I was killed. Three other company commanders and Col. Mabry, who had assumed command when Lane left, received wounds and were captured. Two were quickly released by signing their paroles and were returned to their unit. Mabry and one Lieutenant refused to sign the parole because it referred to the “So called Confederacy”. They were paroled a year later. The unit retreated by order of Van Dorn and the units continued to work toward Corinth. At Corinth and Hatchie Bridge on October 3-5^th, the unit did not get into the battle as they were to far back in the reserve.

In December after being remounted in late October 1862, the 3rd was attached to a new brigade. This force to be led by Col. Whitfield of the 27th Texas Cavalry Regiment was made up of the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 27th Texas Cavalries. Their first operation was a raid to Holly Springs Union Supply Depot, and was led by an acting brigade commander, John Summerfield Griffith of the 6th with Lt Col Jiles Boggess leading the 3rd. The 3rd was detailed to seal off the town square, and hold it. This they did well. Boggess was the only commander able to control his troops when looting broke out. This raid led by General Van Dorn would be one of the best from the standpoint of it value and it strategic importance. The raid continued on into Tennessee where troops destroyed the railroad track and did its best to disrupt the communications of Grant. Following this the regiment returned to Grenada. Coupled with General Forest’s raid in Tennessee Grant’s march toward Vicksburg was slowed for many months and the war delayed for almost a year.

Next the regiment went with General Van Dorn's Corps into Tennessee. As part of Whitfield's Brigade they assisted in the destruction of a Union cavalry regiment at Thompson's Station. Major Stone was the commander during this period due to Lt Colonel Boggess extended leave and Colonel Mabry still being in Union hands. They fought several other skirmishes before Van Dorn was killed by a jealous husband. Following this the corps was disbanded and the brigade returned to hopefully to help at Vicksburg, Mississippi. The unit was deployed in picket and guard duty, while a detachment of the 6^th and the 3^rd Mississippi led by Ross went to eastern Tennessee to stop a Union raid.

As part of Jackson's Division they were assigned in Big Black River area between Jackson and Vicksburg, Mississippi as a part of General Joseph Johnston's Army for the relief of Vicksburg. Before this could happen General Pemberton surrendered and Vicksburg was lost. Next they were part of the defense of Jackson, Mississippi and the subsequent evacuation and escape of Johnston's Army. Sherman’s Army was over 65,000 men.

The 3rd remained along the Big Black River conducting small harassment raids in the Vicksburg area. Morale suffered during this period, due to Whitfield’s health. Colonel Mabry was the acting Brigade Commander for a short period, until he was transferred to General Forest’s Division. In December General Sul Ross became commander of the Texas Cavalry Brigade. The regiment began to find new life. They took part in smuggling several thousand rifles across the Mississippi under Union noises. Under Ross none of the regiments rested nor did the Union units along the Mississippi.

The Brigade operated along the Big Black and Yazoo Rivers in west central Mississippi. In February 1864 the Brigade tried to stop Sherman's moves in Mississippi, but was only able to harass such a large force. The regiment was more successful in repelling attempts by Union regiments and river forces to capture Yazoo City. In May they moved into northern Alabama to suppress Unionism and to collect deserters.

May 15, 1864, the brigade was assigned to the left flank of General Johnston's Army and began to skirmish almost daily for the next one hundred days. One regiment would come off the line and another would take its place. Because of the daily fighting, the regiments slowly lost men until they began collapsing units, joining two companies together. Not all men were killed. Many wounded and were left in homes and hospitals across Georgia. From its arrival in Rome, Georgia on May 12th, until the siege of Atlanta began on July 9th fighting and rain did not stop for any extended period. During the siege they fought several sharp engagements at Lovejoy's Station, Flat Shoals, Brown's Mill and Newman, Georgia.

While engaging with General McCook's Union Cavalry Corps the regiment with its strength about 300 was over run and 23 men were captured and the horse holders scattered and the horses were captured. This could have been a devastating defeat, were it not for the bravery of the men, the size of the enemy force, and the fact the unit came back together after being over run. Even Ross was captured for a short period. Had the enemy not been running in fear, they could have completely destroyed the Ross's Brigade. Most of the supplies, horses and captured men were retrieved and the Brigade was able to refit.

Within two weeks it happened again as Kilpatrick’s Union Division was placed in similar straits, but chose to charge over Ross with the 3^rd and 27^th. Again they on the edge of disaster. The 6^th and 9^th charged into the melee but to no avail. The 5000 man Union forces just moved through capturing horses and men, but not slowing down. The units were beginning to lack the manpower to take on big units. Many men and horses were recovered as Jackson’s other regiments chased the Union force back to Union Lines.

After the fall of Atlanta, the Brigade moved to attack Sherman's supply line on the railroad from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Following this they joined Hood's force for an attack at Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. Here they were part of General Forest’s Corps, but they were not in the vanguard of the fighting. Following Hood's loss at Nashville, the regiment and brigade as part of Forest's Cavalry provided rear guard for the Army, thus allowing Hood to retreat back into Alabama. The Brigade moved back into Mississippi and was only involved in minor skirmished until the end of the war. The regimental strength was about two hundred men.

The Brigade was surrendered by Lieutenant General Richard Taylor, commanding the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana, at Citronelle, Alabama on May 4, 865. The regiment was released about the 15^th. Major Stone was the acting commander and led the regiment home.

OFFICERS:

Elhanan Greer (Colonel) – Not reelected in May 1862, returned to Texas and a desk job.

J. J. A. Barker (Major)- Killed at Corinth 1 in Providing the rear guard for Price’s Army.

Giles S. Boggess (Major, Lieutenant Colonel, and Colonel ) Commanded regiment after Colonel Mabry left till end of war.

George W. Chilton (Major) – Not reelected

Robert H. Cumby (Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel)- retired due to illness.

J. A. Harris (Major) This entry may be a mistake. No J. A. Harris has been found in the rolls. Hannibal Harris was the QM officer and was not reelected in May 1862.

Walter P. Lane (Lieutenant Colonel) Retired in May 1862, did not want to command Infantry. Later made Brigadier General as Ranger Commander in Texas.

Hinchie P. Mabry (Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel) Chief officer in line to command brigade along with Ross, instead transferred to Forest’s Division as brigade commander and later a Brigadier General.

Absalom B. Stone (Major) was the commander of Company A when elevated to Major to replace Barker. During the move to Tennessee he was the acting commander of the 3^rd due to Col. Boggess extended leave and Colonel Mabry’s detention by the Union for not signing his parole. He commanded the troops during the Battle of Thompson’s Station and and helped destroy the Union Cavalry Regiment.

Mathew D. Ector (1^st Lieutenant Adjutant) Transferred in May 1862. Made commander of the 14^th Texas Cavalry. Later a Brigade Commander and Brigadier General.

The 3rd Texas Cavalry Regiment Master Roster

Visit the sites below for more 3rd Cavalry

Field & Staff

3rd TEXAS CAVALRY - BELGIUM

Company A

Company B

3rd Texas Cavalry Regiment - History
from the Lone Star Defenders

COMMAND ASSIGNMENTS:

June 1861 Department of Texas.

July 1861 Indian Territory.

July - August 1861 McCulloch's Brigade.

Aug - Sept 1861 Indian Territory.

Sept 1861 - Jan 1862 McCulloch's Division, Department #2.

Jan 1862 McIntosh's Brigade, McCulloch's Division Trans - Mississippi Dist -Dept #2.

January - Mar 1862 McIntosh's Brigade, McCulloch's Division,
Trans - Mississippi District, Dept # 2

Mar - Apr 1862 Greer's Cavalry Brigade, Price's Division, Trans - Mississippi District, Dept # 2

April 1862 Greer's Cavalry Brigade, Army of the West, Department # 2

April - July 1862 Hebert's Brigade, Price's - Little's Division,
Army; of the West, Department #2.

Sept - Oct 1862 Hebert's Brigade, Little's - Hebert's - Green's Division, Price's Corrps, Army of West
Tennessee, Department #2.

Oct - Dec 1862 Griffith's - Whitfield's Cavalry Brigade, Maury's Division, Price's Corps,
Army of West Tennessee, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana

Jan - Feb 1863 Whitfield's Brigade, 2nd Division, Van Dom's Cavalry Corps, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana.

February 1863 Whitfield's Brigade, Jackson's Division, Van Dom's Cavalry Corps, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana.

Feb - May 1863 Whitfield's Brigade, Jackson's Division, Van Dom's Cavalry Corps, Army of Tennessee.

Jun - Jul 1863 Whitfield's Brigade, Jackson's Cavalry Division,; Department of the West.

Jul - Aug 1863 Whitfield's Brigade, Jackson's Cavalry Division, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana.

Aug 63 - Jan 1864 Whitfield's - Ross' Brigade, Jackson's Division, Lee's Cavalry Corps, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana.

Jan - May 1864 Ross' Brigade, Jackson's Division, Lee's Cavalry Corps, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana.

May - Jul 1864 Ross' Brigade, Jackson's Cavalry Division, Army of Mississippi.

Jul 64 - Feb 1865 Ross' Brigade, Jackson's Cavalry Division,
Army of Tennessee.

Feb - May 1865 Ross' Brigade, Jackson's Division, Forrest's Cavalry Corps, Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana.

BATTLES and ENGAGEMENTS

August 10, 1861 Wilson's Creek

December 26, 1861 Chustenahlah, Indian Territory [five Companies]

March 7 - 8, 1862 Pea Ridge(Hard engagement)

April - June 1862 First Corinth Campaign

September 19, 1862 luka(Large Losses)

October 3 - 4, 1862 Corinth(in reserve)

October 5, 1862 Hatchie Bridge (in eserve)

December 3, 1862 Oakland [skirmish]

December 20, 1862 Holly Springs Raid

December 21, 1862 Davis' Mills Raid

March 5, 1863 Thompson's Station

May - July 1863 Vicksburg Campaign

July 1863 Jackson Siege

December 24, 1863 Middleburg, TN

February - Mar 1864 Meridian Campaign

March 30, 1864 Snyder's Bluff

April 19, 1864 Marion County

May - Sept 1864 Atlanta Campaign

July - Sept 1864 Atlanta Siege

July 28, 1864 Flat Shoals

July 30, 1864 Brown's Mill

July 30, 1864 Newnan

Oct 1864 - Jan 1865 Franklin - Nashville Campaign

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Texas 3rd Cavalry Regiment

Barron, Samuel D. The Lone Star Defenders: A Chronicle of the Third Texas Cavalry Regiment, Ross Brigade, 1906.

Cater, Douglas. As It Was: Reminiscences of a Soldier of the Third Texas Cavalry and the
Nineteenth Louisiana Infantry, 1990. (State House Press, 1990, ISBN: 0-938349-47-3.)

Crabb, Martha L., All Afire To Fight - The Untold Tale Of The Civil War's Ninth Texas Cavalry,
(Avon Books, 2000.)

Dornbush, Charles. Military Biography of the Civil War. Vol. 11.

Griscom, George L. Lieutenant, Adjutant, Fighting With Ross' Texas Cavalry Brigade, CSA,
A diary by Lt. Griscom. Hillsborough Press, Texas; 1976.

Hale , Douglas. The Third Texas Cavalry in the Civil War, 1993. (Norman, OK:
University of Oklahoma Press, 1993, ISBN: 0-8061-2462-8.)

Hewitt, Janet B., Editor, Texas Confederate Soldiers 1861 - 1865, Unit Roster Volume II,
(Wilmington, NC, Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1997.)

Return to 3rd Texas Cavalry Main Page

Return To Texas Confederate Regiments

January 5, 2007