The Republic of Texas has a vivid past - its ancestors ventured west to settle an uneasy land - from exploration by the Spaniards to war with the Mexican government and its declaration of independence in 1836. Read about these ancestor's stories through hundreds of biographies with photographs of most. A comprehensive index provides easy reference for genealogical research.

Second in the sweeping history of the Fifth Texas Infantry that fought with Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia in the Civil War. In the first volume, Secession to the Suffolk Campaign, John F. Schmutz followed the regiment from its inception through the successful foraging campaign in southeastern Virginia in April 1863. Gettysburg to Appomattox continues the regiment’s rich history from its march north into Pennsylvania and the battle of Gettysburg, its transfer west to Georgia and participation in the bloody battle of Chickamauga, operations in East Tennessee, and the regiments return to Virginia for the overland battles (Wilderness to Cold Harbor), Petersburg campaign, and the march to Appomattox Court House. The narrative ends by following many of the regiment’s soldiers on their long journey home. Schmutz’s definitive study is based upon years of archival and battlefield research that uncovered hundreds of primary sources, many never before used. The result is a lively account of not only the regiments marches and battles but a personal look into the lives of these Texans as they struggled to survive a vicious war more than 1,000 miles from home. “The Bloody Fifth”: The 5th Texas Infantry Regiment, Hood’s Texas Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia, with photos, original maps, explanatory footnotes, and important and useful appendices, is a significant contribution to the history of Texas and the American Civil War. “A scholarly work enhanced with maps and exhaustive notes, yet thoroughly accessible to readers of all backgrounds.” —Midwest Book Review

Celeste Graves was born in Magnolia, Texas August 30, 1919. She graduated from high school in 1935 at the age of 15. There were only eight in her graduating class. She left Magnolia for periods of time for college, World War II, and the Korean War. Her husband was a radioman in the U. S. Navy and they lived in various areas of California. They decided they wanted to raise their children in the country, thus the move back to Magnolia. During World War II she was a dispatcher for the Civilian Pilot Training Program for Aviation Enterprises at Municipal Airport. They were awarded the contract to train young ladies to ferry airplanes during the war to relieve male pilots for overseas duty. In June 1952 Celeste began her career as a superintendent's secretary for the Magnolia Independent School District. She worked in that capacity for 34 years, retiring in 1985. Since retiring she has continued to work half-time for the district. She is an active member of the Magnolia Beautification/Historical Committee serving as Secretary/Treasurer for the past ten years.

A definitive history of Montgomery County's involvement in the War between the States and the men from that county who served in the military of the Confederate States of America