...as far as Indian operations are concerned, follow them no odds where they go, and if you can come up with them, whip them. - - Colonel Henry McCulloch, Commander, 1st Texas Mounted Rifles -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The First Texas Calvary better known as the 1st Calvary, Texas Mounted Rifles (referred to by the officers as 1st Texas Mounted Rifles) was recruited and organized under a 12 month enlistment from counties in central Texas, near San Antonio and Austin. The regiment was mustered into service in mid April 1861; the first cavalry regiment from Texas to enter the Confederate service. The regiment was disbanded at Fort Mason in late April 1862 upon expiration of enlistment. The roster of the 1st Mounted Rifles list 1,000 soldiers of the ten companies: Company - Capt. Thomas C. Frost, Comanche County Company - Capt. Governor Nelson, Bexar County Company C - Capt. James B. Barry, Bosque County Company - Capt. Travis H. Ashby, Gonzales County Company - Capt. Green Davidson, Bell County Company - Capt. William G. Tobin, Bexar County Company - Capt. William A. Pitts, Travis County Company H - Capt. Milton M. Bogges, Rusk County Company - Capt. James H. Fry, Burleson County Company - Capt. Milton Webb, Lamar County Engagements San Lucas Springs (6 companies) May 9, 1861 Regimental Field and Staff Original Regimental Officers:
Henry E. McCulloch --Colonel March 4, 1861. At the time of his appointment, McCulloch was a Colonel in the Provisional Army of Texas that had been organized in February of 1861, by the Texas Committee of Public Safety, for the purpose of capturing arms and munitions at Federal forts within the state. McCulloch, with approximately two companies of men, captured Camp Colorado, Ft. Chadbourne, Camp Cooper, and Ft. Belknap providing approximately $1.5 million worth of military stores for the state. Thomas C. Frost -- Lt. Colonel. Lieutenant in local state minuteman company prior to enlistment. Edward Burleson, Jr. -- Major. Resigns commission mid December 1861. Lieutenant in local state minuteman company prior to enlistment. James B. Barry -- Elected Major February 1862 to replace resigning Maj. Burleson. Lieutenant in local state minuteman company prior to enlistment Regimental Journal March 1861 Col. Henry McCulloch informs Leroy P. Walker, Secretary of War CSA, that Ben McCulloch had transferred to him responsibility for raising a volunteer regiment for service on the Texas frontier. At this time, Henry McCulloch had 5 under strength companies on patrol between the Colorado and Red Rivers. March 4, 1861 Henry E. McCulloch commissioned Colonel by the Provisional Confederate Congress. March 25, 1861 McCulloch turns over command of existing Texas Army troops at Camp Colorado to Capt. Thomas C. Frost to travel to San Antonio to begin recruiting in Bexar and surrounding counties. March 26, 1861 Ordered officers to proceed enrolling companies of mounted volunteers for service in the Provisional Confederate Army. Standards for recruitment were: age18-45, good rider and marksman, good moral character, no professional gamblers, no habitual drunkards. Each recruit must be able to provide: a horse, saddle, blankets, six shooting pistol, and rifle or shotgun if possible.
April 1861 Regiment organized with ten full companies. Election of officers held. April 15, 1861 Existing companies on frontier mustered out the Provisional Army of Texas. Ten companies mustered into service of the Confederate States and designated as the 1st Regiment, Texas Mounted Rifles. Assignment: The regiment, with one battery of artillery, was to maintain a line of patrol from the Red River, southwestward through Camp Cooper, Ft. Chadbourne, Camp Colorado and a point at the junction of the N. Concho and main Concho Rivers (near present day San Angelo), to Ft. Mason. Four companies, with the artillery were to be stationed at the Red River, 2 companies each at Camp Cooper, Ft. Chadbourne, at the Concho Rivers; 1 lieutenant with 20 men each at Camp Colorado and Camp Mason. April 21, 1861 After receiving word of the action at Ft. Sumter, McCulloch moves with 5 companies of the 6 still in San Antonio to intercept any remaining federal troops not yet evacuated from state at the Indianola disembarking location. Notified enroute that all federals near Indianola were captured by Col. Earl Van Dorn, commander of the Dept. of Texas. McCulloch ordered, by Van Dorn to capture a force of 300 federal troops northwest of San Antonio. McCulloch, with the 6 companies of the 1st Texas, and a detachment of cavalry and artillery from the 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles, moved with a total force of approximately 1300 to intercept the federals. May 9, 1861 The 8th U.S. Infantry, near San Lucas Springs, surrendered to the overwhelming forces of Col. McCulloch. The 8th Infantry were the last federal troops in Texas. May 29, 1861 McCulloch and 6 companies in San Antonio depart take up defensive line assigned by Col. Van Dorn.
June 29, 1861 Col. McCulloch and Maj. Ed Burleson go to the Wichita-Caddo reservation in the Indian Territory north of the Red River. Indians are warned that any raids into Texas would be pursued, but friendship and protection would be extended to all peaceful tribes. July 1861 Col. McCulloch with Maj. Burleson and 5 companies move to the vicinity of Antelope Hills, north of the Red River. Guided by Charles Goodnight, McCulloch and Burleson meet with Red Bear and Eagle Chief of the Comanches, and Lone Wolf, Santana, and Satank, of the Kiowas. No terms reached. Upon return to Texas, Major Burleson takes command of the line of defense from Ft. Phantom Hill to Red River. Camp Jackson built on southwest bank of the junction of the Big Wachita and Red Rivers and is to serve as Burleson s headquarters. Lt. Col Frost controls defensive line from Ft. Chadbourne south. Defensive line intact by mid month. Ft. McKavett, abandoned federal fort, added to defensive line. John R. King placed as assistant commissary in San Antonio. Camp Colorado designated as supply sub-depot to serve the four northern posts. Limited supplies require need for donations of beef and flour from citizens. Troop warned against wasting ammunition. July 26, 1861 Ten men of company C under Crp. Ercanbrack engage approximately 50 Indians, on the Little Wichita River 50 miles north of Camp Cooper, while guarding supply wagons going to Camp Jackson. Battle lasted for 5 hours. Two Indians killed undetermined number of wounded. Five horses, pvt. James McKee killed, 6 soldiers wounded. July 26, 1861 Capt. Barry and 32 men of company C maintain running fight for about 15 miles with approximately 70 Indians in same location between camps Cooper and Jackson. Indian casualties about 12. Privates Wetherby, Connelly and Lynn killed, 7 wounded.
August 1861 Col. Frost engages large party of Comanche. Two Indians killed in running fight. Engagement broken off by Frost due to superior Indian force and poor condition of mounts. Capt. Green Davidson and 1 private killed. September 4, 1861 Following reassignment of Van Dorn, Col. McCulloch recalled to San Antonio to assume temporary command of Texas Dept. until arrival of new commander Gen. Paul O. Hebert. Col. McCulloch commands regiment through his adjutant William O. Yager and Lt. Colonel Frost. Camp Jackson closed. September 15, 1861 Col. McCulloch and 35 men each from forts Chadbourne and Phantom Hill, and camps Cooper and Colorado rendezvous at Camp Colorado for aggressive sweeping expedition through area north of the Colorado River head waters. September 30, 1861 Capt. Bogges and company H moved from Ft. Phantom Hill to Camp Cooper for winter. October 1861 Regimental headquarters moved to Ft. Mason. November 1861 Expedition engages a group of Indians killing 10 and wounding 2. Main body of Indians escapes. December 1861
Col. McCulloch assumed command of new Western Military District which comprised the posts northwest, west, and south of San Antonio, and the posts at Victoria and Saluria. Col. McCulloch technically still in command of regiment. Frontier companies down approximately 40 men each. Maj. Edward Burleson, Jr. resigns commission. February 1, 1862 Capt. J.B. Barry elected major to replace Burleson. Maj. Barry takes control of the northern part of the defense line from Camp Cooper to Red River. Lt. Col. Frost to control area from Ft. Phantom Hill south to Ft. Mason. Orders received to assemble all companies of the 1st Texas at Ft. Mason in April for discharge. April 9, 1861 Company C engages sizable party of Indians near Pease River at San Saba. Four soldiers wounded. Indians escaped; 3 killed and 1 wounded. April (mid month) 1862 Companies of 1st Texas Mounted Rifles assembled and discharged at Ft. Mason. Most of men reenlist in the 8th Texas Calvary Battalion. ******************************************************************************** 1st Regiment, Texas Cavalry (McCulloch's) (1st Mounted Riflemen) 1st (McCulloch's) Regiment Mounted Rifles was organized with about 1,000 men in May, 1861, and served in the Department of Texas on the frontier. In April, 1862, the unit was reduced to five companies and redesigned the 8th Texas Cavalry Battalion. Its commanders were Colonel Henry E. McCulloch, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas C. Frost, and Majors James B. Barry and Ed. Burleson.