A volunteer officer with the 9th Texas Cavalry Regiment from 1861 to 1865, James Campbell Bates saw some of the most important and dramatic clashes in the Civil War's western and trans-Mississippi theaters. Bates rode thousands of miles, fighting in the Indian Territory; at Elkhorn Tavern in Arkansas; at Corinth, Holly Springs, and Jackson, Mississippi; at Thompson's Station, Tennessee; and at the crossing of the Etowah River during Sherman's Atlanta campaign. In a detailed diary and dozens of long letters to his family, he recorded his impressions, confirming the image of the Texas cavalrymen as a hard-riding bunch -- long on aggression and short on discipline. Bates's writings, which remain in the possession of his descendants, treat scholars to a documentary treasure trove and all readers to an enthralling, first-person dose of American history.

Much of the Civil War west of the Mississippi was a war of waiting for action, of foraging already stripped land for an army that supposedly could provision itself, and of disease in camp, while trying to hold out against Union pressure. There were none of the major engagements that characterized the conflict farther east. Instead, small units of Confederate cavalry and infantry skirmished with Federal forces in Arkansas, Missouri, and Louisiana, trying to hold the western Confederacy together. The many units of Texans who joined this fight had a second objective—to keep the enemy out of their home state by placing themselves “between the enemy and Texas.” Historian Anne J. Bailey studies one Texas unit, Parsons's Cavalry Brigade, to show how the war west of the Mississippi was fought. Historian Norman D. Brown calls this “the definitive study of Parsons's Cavalry Brigade; the story will not need to be told again.” Exhaustively researched and written with literary grace, Between the Enemy and Texas is a “must” book for anyone interested in the role of mounted troops in the Trans-Mississippi Department.

Annotation A comprehensive study of the East Texas unit that served as a part of Walker's Texas division in the Trans-Mississippi Department.

The Third Texas Cavalry Regiment, recruited from twenty-six counties of northeastern Texas, was one of the most famous Confederate units from the Lone Star State. Douglas Hale narrates troop movements and battle actions, sensitively portraying the sufferings and private thoughts of individual cavalrymen and their commanders as they marched back and forth across the Southern landscape.

Both cavalry and artillery were regarded as elite units during the Civil War, and this is reflected in their uniforms and flags. 84 color plates depict 250 cavalry and artillery uniforms for both North and South, along with flags and equipment.

In 'The Lone Star Defenders: A Chronicle of the Third Texas Cavalry, Ross' Brigade' by S. B. Barron, readers are taken on a vivid journey through the Civil War era, focusing on the experiences of the Third Texas Cavalry. The book delves into the gritty details of battles, camaraderie, and hardships faced by these Southern soldiers with a mix of historical accuracy and compelling storytelling. Barron's writing style combines meticulous research with a narrative that brings history to life, making this work a valuable resource for understanding the context of the Civil War in Texas. The author's attention to detail and ability to weave personal accounts into the larger historical narrative make this book a standout in Civil War literature. Fans of military history and Texas history will find this book both informative and engaging. With 'The Lone Star Defenders', S. B. Barron offers a detailed and immersive account of the Third Texas Cavalry, shedding light on the experiences of these soldiers and their contributions to the Civil War effort. Highly recommended for history enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of this pivotal period in American history.

How Did Texas Survive The Civil War? More specifically, how did Texas manage to repulse invading Union armies? And why were there no major battles like Antietam, Shiloh or Gettysburg fought in Texas? Answers include that Texas was too far, too large and that Texans (over 80,000 fought in that terrible struggle) were too feisty. The Civil War in Texas and the Southwest answers the above while shedding new light on Texan audacity, bravery and just plain luck. Part one of the book provides a chronology of the tragically unsuccessful 1861-1862 invading expedition of Confederate General Sibleys Texas volunteers into New Mexico and Arizona. Sibley grandiously called his brigade the Confederate Army of New Mexico. Of the 3,700 Texans who left San Antonio on this campaign, only 2,000 stumbled back the next year. Part two contains little-known stories about failed Union efforts to conquer southern and eastern Texas between 1863-1865. For example, Galveston was occupied by Union forces in 1862, then recaptured during a six hour battle on New Years Day 1863. Further up the Texas coast at Sabine Pass, a Union flotilla of four warships, twenty-two troop transports loaded with 5,000 invasion troops was defeated by a young red-headed Irish Texan lieutenant and his 40 immigrant cannoneers from Eire. And who knows that 300 Texans repulsed 500 better-armed and provisioned Union troops at Palmito ranch in the southern tip of Texas? Palmito was the last battle of the war and was actually fought after Lees surrender. Author Sullivans previous, acclaimed book, Scattered Graves: The Civil War Campaigns of Confederate General and Cherokee Chief Stand Waitie, depicts Waties leadership and hit-and-run tactics. He was the only Indian to be promoted to general on either side and was also the last Confederate general to surrender. Both books are available through Authorhouse.