Notes

Outline

"Of" Of The 1st Texas Regiment (Company H)

"The First Texas Regiment was..." The First Texas Regiment was recruited mainly in east Texas in April 1861. This was the only regiment in the Confederate Army with twelve companies. There usually are only ten. During the Spring and Summer of 1861, the companies of this regiment made their way to Virginia to be met by the 4th and 5th Regiments in the Fall. The colonel of the 1st Regiment, Louis Trezevant Wigfall (now promoted to brigadier-general), was now in command of the new Texas Brigade. Formed completely from Texas Frontiersmen, the 1st , 4th , and 5th Regiments, who were known as the best horsemen and riflemen in the army, the Texas Brigade was first assembled at Dumphries, Virginia on November 13, 1861. Despite this, the 1st Infantry met its day of a graceful defeat in a cornfield at Sharpsburg, Maryland on September 17, 1862.

"Private West wrote his wife..." Private West wrote his wife after his regiment lost 82%-the largest civil war casualty count ever-of its people. One company had no people left at all. “We can not be whipped, though they may kill us all.” -Private West

"In 1826 Finnell was born" In 1826 Finnell was born. He grew up to join the Confederate Army in May of 1861. He joined the 1st Texas Infantry Regiment under unit H. He and his regiment endured several devastating battles including Seven Pines, Suffolk, Chickamauga, Cold Harbor, and Appomattox Court House. During most of the battles, Finnell did not fight due to a rupture.

Seven Pines (1862) On May 31-June 1 in a County named Henrico of Virginia General Joseph E. Johnston (confederate) Launched an attack on two Federal corps that seemed to be cut off from the rest of the Union. The attack, though not planned very well, succeeded in driving back the corps and caused great casualties. Reinforcements arrived on both sides of the battlefield. The Federalists got their footing back and seriously wounded General Johnston. Command of the Confederate troops switched temporarily to Major G.W. Smith. The last day proved a draw and both sides claimed victory.

Seven Pines (1862)

Chickamauga On September 18-20 1863 in Catoosa and Walker counties of Virginia, General Rosecrans was determined to drive the Confederates out of Chattanooga. Rosecrans’ three corps approached Chattanooga at different routes. After being defeated by General Rosecrans, General Bragg was set on retaking Chattanooga. So he set out on the 17th and fought with the Union cavalry. The Union had Spencer repeating rifles. The battle lasted through the 18th but the victory was once again the Union’s. The next morning, Rosecrans discovered a gap in his defense. In trying to close it, he made yet another one. The Confederate immediately exploited it. The heavy fighting lasted into the night but finally the Confederacy drove the Union out and took the town.

Chickamauga

Suffolk (1863) In Suffolk, Virginia, on April 19-May 4, a small skirmish took place that involved the 1st Texas Infantry Regiment. On the first day, a Union force assaulted Fort Huger-a.k.a. Suffolk-and captured it, reopening the river for Union shipping. On April 24, Brigadier General Michael Corcoran’s armed Union scouts fought General George E. Pickett but failed. On April 29, Gen. Robert E. Lee Directed Gen. Longstreet to disengage and rejoin the Army of Northern Virginia. By May 4, he was across the Blackwater River to Richmond. The battle victory was undecided. There were about 152 total casualties.

Cold Harbor (1864) On May 31-June 12 at Hanover County,Virginia, Sheridan’s Union Cavalry took Cold Harbor and fended off Confederate Infantry. But, Confederate reinforcements arrived from Richmond and from the Totopotomoy Creek lines.  On June 1 Union Corps reached Cold Harbor and assaulted the Confederate works and succeeded.  By June 2, both armies were fighting, and at dawn on June 3 the Union Corps followed later by reinforcements fought but were blocked at all points.   Grant later regretted this attack.The armies fought hard the night of June 12 when Grant advanced, marching to James River.  On June 14, the Union Corps were ferried across the river and retreated.

Cold Harbor (1864)

Appomattox (1865)     On April 9 at Appomattox County,Virginia, the remnants of the Confederate Corps and General Lee’s Calvary formed a line of battle at Appomattox Courthouse.  General Robert E. Lee attempted an escape from the closing Union forces to reach supplies at Lynchburg.    At dawn the Confederates advanced gaining ground against Sheridan but the arrival of Union Infantry stopped this advance. Lee’s army was surrounded on all sides and Lee surrendered to Grant on April 9th.  This was the final engagement of the war in Virginia. There were about 700 casualties in this last battle.

"Regimental and Character History From" Regimental and Character History From: Texas Pension Records of Abraham Finnell http://www.texas-brigade.com/frameset1tex.htm Pictures Thanks to: http://www.texas-brigade.com/frameset1tex.htm http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va014.htm http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/ga004.htm http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va031.htm http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va062.htm http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va097.htm

"Battle Reports From:" Battle Reports From: http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va014.htm http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/ga004.htm http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va031.htm http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va062.htm http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/va097.htm Everything Else: ME!