Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-23
THE TEXAS RANGERS.
Gen. John VI. Claiborne Tells What
the Famous Regiment Did.


A Galveston CreN) letter says: Gene
raj John VI. Claiborne came down from
Rusk yesterday. When seen by n News
man he was loaded on one subject, and
that wasn't the post-ofices I'm his dis
trlct or fruit. Said tho Generals:
The survivors Of Terry's Texas Ran
gers will meet in their thirtieth reunion
at the invitation OF the ladies OF Nash
vile. Tenn, on June 21st ana 22d ueXt.
The date is the day before ana tho first
day OF the meeting of the United Confe-
derate Veterans, and they Will get tho
benefit of the low rates obtaining for
the United Confederate Veterans.
sketch of the Rangers may be OF interest
10 Texans, and inspire the youth OF the
State to emulation.
Colonel Benjamin Franklin Terry was
large planter Of sugar-cane ana cotton.
and man OF most generous instincts
and Of patrician birth. Thomas $. Lub-
book gentlemen Of means and South
Carolinian by birth each came to Texas
while Il was yet a republic), became
deeply sensible OF the conditions In 1861,
and before the reyerberations OF the guns
at Sumter died away they were en- route
to the seat Of war, and participated In
the battles OF Bull Run and First
Manassas. At once, after the battle
OF Manassas, they sought and obtained
authority to raise an independent, ir-
regular cavalry regiment Of ten COM
panies who would arm and equip them>
selves without cost TO the Confederacy,
and to participate I'm the Army Of Nir-
ginia. on August 9Th these gentlemen
made a call through the Houston Tele-
graph, published in Houston, and the
News. published IN Galveston, and on
September 5th, just thirty days there
after. 1.00i men, rank and file. were
mustered into the Confederate army at
Houston for tho period of the war.
More than 80 men who came 10 join tho
regiment could not get I'm, being already
organized. Many OF them followed. and
when death made a vacant place it was
quickly taken. The march overland
toward the seat OF war was Immediately
begun, and upon reaching New orleans
they were greatly disappointed when in
formed that they were 20 so TO Kentucky,
where General a. Sidney Johnston was
organizing an army. General Johnston
Chimself a TexaD had made a speclaI
demand for men whom experience had
taught him were wizards OF the saddle
and the deadly six-shooter. Upon reach
ing Nashville. Tenn, a rest OF a week,
in preparation, was had, and the first
fruits OF lasting friendship between these
men and the beautiful and godly women OF
that city terminated, that grew until
frulting in an idOlatry on the part OF the
regiment, and admiration and respect on
the part OK these women Disease over
took the men after reaching BowmA
Green. KY, and Nashville women OPEN
ed their doors TO the men that stood be-
tween them and their implacable foe,
and the sick boy. 100 miles from home,
found in these women mothers and
sisters who tenderly nursed them back
TO life and health. On October Sth they
were sent 10 the front on Barren and
Green rivers. and constituted the eyes
and ears OF the army. Alone they carried
the nag with tho single star, 'rns
Bonnie Blue Intermlnable picketing,
scouting. and skirmishlng. was the DUTY
assigned them until December II. 1851,
the enemy in overwhelming numbers be-
gan their march to connect with Grant
on the Cumberland river, under the
leadership OF General George III. Thomas.
skilled soldier. The Rangers We're tho
first obstacle he met. General Wellich
was at Woodsonville, KY. with 800 men.
all Germans. and veterans OF the army
Of the German Kaiser. Upon the ap-
pearance or the Rangers the ''Federai-
Dutch-AmerIcans' for Si3 and board
per month, with now Belgian rines. took
refuge on either side OF the Louisville and
Nashville railroad. and In a deep cut on
the left some fifteen cabins gave them
shelter. On tha right. & wheat-stgaw