A Short History of the 22^nd, 31^st and 34^th Texas Cavalries of North Texas
Continued

Two of James McFarland’s sons did not make it home from this war. They did not meet any glorious end on the battlefield, but instead died the way many others did, of disease (Albert) and starvation (James). According to Lee Cunningham of the 34^th, husband of Mary Jane McFarland, when he and James McFarland (J.R. of the 22^nd) were coming home, they were starving for food. They ate green corn from a field and James died from it. There is no indication what year that happened. 

As years go by, and the men who actually fought in any war die, ancestors try to resurrect those days, hoping to find some moments of glory to exalt. This has not happened in my research of these relatives that fought in the Civil War. In fact, I have come to the conclusion that most of my Fannin County ancestors discovered the reality of war was lacking any romantic appeal. The younger McFarland sons probably thought it would be exciting—a nice break from the routine of farming life. The oldest son, Jackson, too old for the CSA, signed up for the Texas State Troops, but spent most of his enlistments taking care of his crops. They left behind no letters or documents to speak to us of their feelings during this war. Father James had been a Republican, and Jackson’s son, James Franklin, just a youth during the Civil War, was an advocate of the Republican Party in Texas, which after Reconstruction, was most unpopular. However, I do think this indicates the overall feeling felt by many in the North Texas counties. 

The further I read and research, the more I conclude that although slavery was the issue that divided the nation and had to be resolved, it was not what motivated the majority of men and boys to fight. In fact, I doubt if “states’ rights” was even the issue in north Texas. I believe it boiled down to the very simple idea of territorial marking that is part of our genetic heritage. The idea that some outsider might come into their territory, or possibly stir up the Indians in the Indian Territory, to attack the farmers in Texas, was enough to motivate the men of Fannin County. As the war turned out to be filled with sickness, an absence of basic supplies, endless marching once they were dismounted, danger, and no end in sight, many of the men of North Texas decided that their homes were more threatened by their absence than by their presence in their units. 

Robert H. Taylor, the lawyer from Bonham who helped organize and lead the 22^nd Cavalry, became a leader of the new Republican Party during Reconstruction. He was one of only three men calling for Negro suffrage at the Constitutional Convention in 1866. When Reconstruction ended in 1873 and the Democrats took over Texas, Taylor became part of the minority, as he had been prior to the Civil War, when he supported staying in the Union. In 1879, however, the people from Fannin County supported him and elected him as their representative again to the Texas House.I take pride that my ancestors were among his supporters. 

Works Cited:

Barr, Alwyn. Polignac’s Texas Brigade. Texas A & M University Press: College Station, Texas. 1998. 

Cottrell Steve. Civil War in the Indian Territory. Pelican Publishing Co.: Gretna, Louisiana. 1995. 

Harper Jr., Cecil. “Hawpe, Trezevant C.”, Handbook of Texas Online, TSHA Online, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/view/HH/fhabe.html

Kilgore, Deborah K. “Taylor, Robert H.”, Handbook of Texas Online, TSHA Online, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/view/TT/fta24.html

Ft. Washita History. (http://www.civilwaralbum.com/washita/1842_his.htm)

Research notes and On-line links:

*On April 16, 1862 the Confederate Congress passed a conscript law for all men 18 to 35, except those with large numbers of slaves. Martial law was established on April 28^th, 1862 and on May 30, 1862 for the whole state of Texas. The conscription law was amended on Sept. 27, 1862 to extend to age 45. In February, 1864 it was extended again from 17 to 50. 

Sources: 

Confederate Military History, Vol. XV Texas. 1899, Confederate Publishing Co., reprinted in 1989. Dallas Public Library. p. 68. 

"Historical Times Encyclopedia of the Civil War" Edited by Patricia L. Faust.

**In a report on punishment used in New York’s Sing Sing prison in 1853, bucking is described as: 

This punishment consisted of a wooden bar inserted between a man's arms and legs while he was in a sitting position. Then the bar was hoisted onto a stand causing the man to hang upside down like a roasted pig. Periodically, the inmate was turned right side up by the guards to avoid unconsciousness. "Bucking" was considered a severe punishment and used only in the most serious cases (Fifth Annual Report to the State Legislature dated January 6, 1853). (http://www.crimelibrary.com/notorious_murders/famous/sing_sing/3.html?sect=7

The basic army units are: 

A company consists of 100 men led by a Captain. That can be further broken down to 2 platoons, or 4 sections, or 8 squads. 

4 to 8 companies are a Battalion commanded by a Major or a Lt. Colonel. 

10 companies are a Regiment commanded by a Colonel. 

3 to 6 Regiments are a Brigade, led by a Brigadier General. 

2 to 6 Brigades are a Division led by a Major General. 

2 to 4 divisions are a Corps. 

There are then several Armies led by full generals. Texas was part of the Trans-Mississippi Army. 

http://www.bauer.uh.edu/parks/tex/texreb1.html

North Texas Regiments

22^nd Regiment Texas Cavalry:

At Ft. Washita, the 22^nd Regiment Texas Cavalry: “was organized January 16, 1862, and reorganized June 30, 1862, with ten companies, A to K. It appears to have been reduced to a battalion of six companies A to F, some time after February 29, 1864. The organization was known at various times as the 1^st Indian Regiment Texas Cavalry, Merricks’s Regiment Texas Dismounted Cavalry, Taylor’s Regiment Texas Cavalry, Taylor’s Regiment Texas Mounted Rifles, Steven’s Regiment Texas Cavalry, Stone’s Battalion Texas Cavalry and Merrick’s Battalion Texas Infantry or dismounted Cavalry.” Source: National Archives 

Using George W. Merrick’s papers, which, because of his rise through the ranks, is more thoroughly documented than the McFarlands, the changing names of this group can be followed. Before it became the 22^nd, it was known as Taylor’s Reg’t of Texas Mounted Rifles in December, 1861 when they mustered at Ft. Washita. With the creation of the 22^nd in January, 1862 to June, 1862, the 22^nd was a part of the 1^st Indian Reg’t Texas Cavalry. The second half of 1862, the 22^nd was part of Stevens’ Regiment of Texas Dismounted Cavalry. Later, it is under Col. Stone as a Battalion, and then in May, 1864 until the end of the war, Geo. W. Merrick, who was with Co. C from its beginning, leads the Dismounted Battalion until its surrender. 

The commanders of the 22^nd at various times include: 

1.Col. Robert H. Taylor, Co. G. http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/view/TT/fta24.html

2.Col. James G. Stevens, Co. D, who rose from Captain to Col., replacing Taylor as commander on June 28, 1862 after the regiment was reorganized. 

3.(Col. Cravens commands beginning Oct. 15, 1862.?) 

4.Robert D. Stone, who was in Co. H, and rose from 2^nd Lt. to Lt. Col. 

5.Geo. W. Merrick, from Co. C, rose from 2^nd Lt. to Col. and commander of the Battalion in May, 1864, after the death of Col. Stone 

John W. Piner, age 41, was the enlisting captain at Ft. Washita (he also had been an organizer for the 14^th Brigade.) George Merrick ended up the Captain of Co. C, of the 22^nd Texas Cavalry. For some reason, John W. Piner’s name does not show up in indexes of Civil War rosters, although we know he was a leader in the 22^nd Cavalry. He was in the Honey Grove census of 1860 as J.W. Piner, age 40, born 1819 in Kentucky. He survived the war and appears in the 1870 census in Fannin County as John Piner. I have not located George after the war. 

Company C members (roster not complete, I only put names that were relatives, neighbors, or familiar to the McFarland family) 

Christopher C. Cox 

Joel H. Cunningham 

Howard (Ethrage, Ethridge, Ethiredge) 

Wiley Hulsey – 2^nd Lieutenant 

William H. Hulsey 

Thomas I. Jackson 

Andrew J. Lyday 

Albert McFarland 

Arthur McFarland 

J. R. McFarland 

Marion L. Nix 

Hampton Rattan 

Martin C. Sloan 

William B. Sloan 

Ansolim Terry 

Cyrus Terry 

Hiram Terry 

J.C. Terry 

Thomas B. Terry 

Frank Chamlee- Steven’s Regiment Dismounted Cavalry April 10, 1862 at Fort McCulloch 

George W. Merrick: goes from 2^nd Lt. to Lt. Col. by the end of the war. 

Company I

J.R. McFarland (Brush Battalion) 

C.C. Rattan 

John Rattan, Capt. (according to rejected pension application #4005- but not found in the records) 

Company B

John B. Deaver – Sergeant 

Company G

Granville D. Cross 

Company K

Charles T. Bourland 

31^st Regiment Texas Cavalry:

“The 31^st Regiment Texas Cavalry (also known as Hawpe’s Regiment Texas Cavalry or Mounted Volunteers) was organized May 14, 1862 with eight companies, A to H. Company I was organized August 9, 1862, but no record of a Company K has been found.” (National Archives) 

The Hawpe referred to as the leader of this regiment is Trezevant C. Hawpe, who moved to Dallas County in 1848, served as sheriff and justice of the peace in the 1850s and was one of the county’s wealthiest individuals according to the 1860 census. He organized the 31^st in 1862 and was elected its colonel. This battalion was originally to be part of the Arizona Brigade, although they never went there. Instead, this battalion served under Gen. Thomas C. Hindman in Indian Terrritory, Arkansas, and Missouri. It went to Ft. Washita, and added Co. I. 

The McFarlands in this unit were enrolled into Co. I by J. W. Marshall on August 9, 1862 at Ft. Washita, in Indian Territory. John W. Marshall is recorded as being the Captain of Co. H of the 31^st Texas Cavalry, and I found him living in Hunt County in the 1860 census. I assume he was recruiting into a new Company. The Sergeant and then Captain of this company was George J. Barrett, who I found in Fannin County in 1870 living in Prec. 2. He was born in 1833 in Alabama. Another Sergeant of Co. I was John H. Burgett, born in Ohio in 1833. I found him living in Pilot Point, Denton Co., Prec. 2, in 1870 and before the war in Montague Co. Two other officers of the 31^st were George W. Guess, who started in Co. A as a Private, but ended the war as a Lt. Col. He lived in Prec. 1, Dallas, was born in 1828 in North Carolina. The Colonel of this unit was Fred. C. Malone, who started in Co. C as a 1^st Lt., and by the end of the war was a full Colonel. He appears to be from Lavaca Co., Texas, born in Alabama in 1825. 

This regiment fought in the battle at Newtonia, Missouri in September 1862. On November 1, the regiment was dismounted and on Nov. 21, 1862, Hawpe resigned and returned to Dallas. He then worked transporting food and supplies to the troops, but was killed in a quarrel in 1863. 

Company I

A. McFarland – this would be Arthur 

Jasper McFarland (appears also as J.M. McFarland and J.H., and Joseph McFarland) 

N. McFarland – this would be Newton 

Company B

L. McFarland 

Sources: 

Civil War Index 

Census Records 

Cecil Harper, Jr., Handbook of Texas Online, Hawpe, Trezevant C., TSHA Online, http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/view/HH/fhabe.html

34^th Texas Cavalry: 

On March 6, 1862 - Co. I was formed in Honey Grove, Fannin County, Texas. The men were enlisted by J. A. Donelson for a period of twelve months. They were made a part of 

the 34^th Texas Cavalry when it was organized April 17, 1862 at Ft. Washita in Indian Territory (Oklahoma). The 34^th was led by Col. Almerine M. Alexander. They were also known as the 2^nd Regiment Texas Partisan Rangers. Engagements included: September 1862, Newtonia Missouri; Dec. 1862, Prairie Grove, Arkansas; and in Sept. 1863, Stirling’s Plantation, Morganza Louisiana. Muster Roll shows the 34^th at Camp Allston, Louisiana in 1863. This was followed by the Red River Campaign in 1864, along with most of the north Texas companies, and then battles at the Atchafalaya River and Morgan’s Ferry in Sept, 1864. The army was formally surrendered June 2, 1865 at Galveston. 

A. M. Alexander found in 1860 census in Grayson Co., Texas. 41 yrs old, born in Ky., a merchant with land valued at 55,000 and personal property at 60,000. He was not found in the 1870 census, although it looks like his son was still living in Grayson Co., much diminished in wealth. 

Co. I: 

L.T. Cunningham 

J.C. Hulsey-Co. I – (Joel Calvin) 

H. H. Fry 

G. W. Fry 

A. F. Merrill- Sergeant 

B. F. Merrill- 

Wm. B. Inglish-Co. E 

In the Widow’s Application #23988, filed in 1913 by Mrs. Margaret Hulsey of Fannin County, widow of Joel Calvin Hulsey, Co. I was led by 1^st Lt. J.H. Kincaid, and Capt. J.H. Roderick. 

Chambers Battalion Texas Reserves

Co. E

J. McFarland(this would be Jackson) 

J.M. Harper 

W. Hulsey( Wiley?) 

J. D. Bartley 

James Sloan 

E. W. Cummins 

C. L. Cox 

John Cox 

1^st Battn Texas Sharp Shooters, Burnett’s Battalion(13^th Texas Cavalry) 

Co. B

Hardin Hulsey - 31, 1831, Pvt. Aug. 1, 1862, Fannin Co. 

James Hulsey – 18, 1844, Pvt. Aug. 1, 1862, Fannin Co. 

Wm. Hulsey – 25, 1838, Pvt. Aug. 1, 1862, Fannin Co. 

Co. D 

James Blankenship - 23, 1839, Pvt. Aug. 1, 1862, Grayson Co. 

D. M. McFarland – 24, 1838, Pvt. Aug. 1, 1862, Grayson Co. 

William J. McFarland – 19, 1843, Aug. 1, 1862, Grayson Co. 

Individual Records from National Archives and personal documents:

Jackson McFarland.Jackson originally enlisted on July 6, 1861 in Honey Grove in the Texas State Troops, 14^th Regiment, in the Fannin County Company under Captain John W. Piner. He was 43 years old. This was before the CSA had been organized. In April, 1862, he was elected to be a Second Lieutenant for Beat 4 of this 14^th Brigade. So while his younger brothers were off fighting in Indian Territory, and later Louisiana, Jackson was keeping the fields planted and supplying cotton for the cause. According to personal records saved by Jackson, in early 1864, he enrolled at Camp Lane in Fannin County for a six month tour of duty. This time he was serving in Capt. William Dulany’s Co. K in the 2^nd Regiment Cavalry of the Texas State Troops. One document from Headquarters in Bonham, dated April 1, 1864, allowed Jackson to go home for 30 days to run his threshing machine. Officers listed in the document include Capt. Dulany, John P. Hill, A.A. Gen., and Brig. Gen. James W. Throckmorton***, who was the commander of the northern military district. 

When that term ended, he enlisted at Camp Roberts on May 11, 1864 in Co. E, under Captain Ez. Williams, of Major Edward Chambers’ Battalion of the Texas Reserve Corps Infantry of the CSA. This battalion was organized on May 11, 1864, with five companies, A to E. On May 12, Jackson is described as 47 years, with black hair and dark eyes, dark complexion, 5’ 10” and a farmer in Fannin County. He is detached from the company and sent home with the job of growing crops that will be sold to the “government and the famileys (sic) of soldiers at skedule (sic) rates…” Another memento saved by Jackson was a $500. non taxable certificate from the Confederate States of America, promising to pay $500.00 plus accrued interest of Six Percent per Annum, two years after a peace treaty is ratified with the United States. These enlistments are verified by personal papers that Jackson kept and passed down to his family members, as well as the National Archives. 

***James W. Throckmorton was among the early Texas Unionists, who voted against secession at the Secession Convention in 1861. After Ft. Sumter, he took an active role of leadership for the Confederacy. 

Arthur McFarland. During the Civil War, Arthur is first recorded as being at Ft. Washita on Dec. 27, 1861. He is 17, black hair, dark eyes, dark complexion, on a horse valued at $150. and rigging $35. He is part of Taylor's Regiment of Texas Mounted Rifles, 22nd Cavalry, Co. C. Then the Company Muster Roll shows him as enlisting on Feb. 25, 1862 under J.W. Piner for 12 months. He is present for Jan 16, to June 30, 1862, and the Co. C is now called the 1 Indian Reg't Texas Cavalry. Then the next muster role is for June 30 to Dec. 31, 1862 and it says that he was discharged July 16, 1862 by order of Gen. Albert Pike, in compliance with Act of Congress approved April 16, 1862. At age 17 he was too young to serve, however, on August 9, 1862 at Fort Washita, he was enrolled into Co. I, of the 31^st Cavalry for the duration of the war. This unit was also known as Hawpe's Regiment Texas Cavalry or Mounted Volunteers that was organized first on May 14th, 1862 with companies A to H. Company I was organized on August 9th, 1862, the day he joined. This is also the unit that brothers Newton and Jasper joined. Then on December 28th, 1862 he is listed Absent without leave. Then in March and April of 1863 listed as Present and entitled to bounty, and last paid on June 30th, 1863. 

Albert McFarland. Enlisted Feb. 25, 1862 in 22^nd Cavalry, Co. C of 1 Indian Reg’t Texas Cavalry. Signed by J.W. Piner for 12 months at Ft. Washitah (sic). Died April 13, 1862. No other information is given. 

J. R. McFarland. First enlisted in the Texas State Troops, 14^th Regiment, July 6, 1861 in Ladonia. He signed under George W. Merrick. Once the Confederate States organized an army, Merrick seems to have taken his men and enrolled in the 22^nd Cavalry as Co. C. J.R. is shown on Roll dated Dec. 27, 1861 at Fort Washita in Indian Territory. Enlisted Feb. 25, 1862 in 22^nd Cavalry, Co. C, Taylor’s Reg’t Texas Mounted Rifles. 5’ 10”. Age 30. Occupation: Farmer. Born: Missouri. Hair, black; eyes, dark; complexion, dark. Value of horse, 180; rigging, 25. Next shown Jan. 16 to June 30, 1862 as part of same company C, now called 1 Indian Reg’t Texas Cavalry, enlisted by J.W. Piner for 12 months. Then June 30 to Dec. 31, 1862, shown part of same company C, of Steven’s Regiment Texas Dismounted Cavalry, shown as Absent without leave since Dec. 28, 1862. Then for March and April of 1863 shown as present. Then for May and June of 1863, still called Steven’s Regiment of Texas Dismounted Cavalry, J.R. is paid $12.00 for use of private gun. His records say see also Brush Battalion. 

N. McFarland. Shown enlisted August 9, 1862, at Ft. Washita into Co. I, 31^st Cavalry by J.W. Marshall for a period of three years or the war. There are three rolls, Jan. and Feb. 1863, shown absent without leave from Dec. 28, 1862, entitled to Bounty, then in March and April, 1863, present and entitled to bounty, and then July and August, 1863, shows him absent and remarks are “sick at Kiametia, May 2, 1863. Entitled to bounty.” 

(I assume the next three are all for Jasper- the National Archives considers them to be the same person.)

J. M. and J. H. McFarland Shown enlisted August 9, 1862 at Fort Washita into Co. I, 31^st Cavalry by J. W. Marshall into Co. I, 31^st Texas Cavalry for the war. Shown to be absent without leave from November 28, 1862, on Jan. and Feb. of 1863 muster roll. Entitled to bounty.
J. McFarland. Shown enlisted Aug. 9, 1862 at Ft. Washita into Co. I, 31^st Cavalry by J. W. Marshall for 3 years or the war. On March and April 1863 muster roll, shown as absent without leave since December 31, 1862. Entitled to bounty.

Jasper McFarland. Shown enlisted Aug. 9, 1862 at Ft. Washita into Co. I, 31^st Cavalry by J. W. Marshall for 3 years or the war. On July and August, 1863 muster roll, he is listed as present and last paid by Capt. Murphy on June 30, 1863.

Howard Etheridge: spelled various ways. Begins with Roll dated Dec. 27, 1861 at Fort Washita. He is 6 ft. tall, 46 years old, is a farmer born in Mississippi, with gray hair, blue eyes, fair complexion. His horse is valued at $140, and rigging at $20. He is in Co. C. of the 22^nd Cavalry, part of Taylor’s Reg’t Texas Mounted Rifles. Formal enlistment and muster date is Feb. 25, 1862 at Ft. Washita.Then from Jan. 16 to June 30, 1862 he is listed as present, and shows that he was enlisted by J.W. Piner for 12 months. Now Co. C is part of the 1^st Indian Reg’t Texas Cavalry. Then from June 30 to Dec. 31, 1862 he is shown as part of Co. C, Steven’s Regiment of Texas Dismounted Cavalry. Under remarks, it shows that he is discharged July 16, 1862 by order of Gen. Albert Pike in compliance with act of Congress approved April 16, 1862. I assume this is because he is over age. The last document shows a payment made on April 7, 1863 by Jim Farr for clothing.

L.T. Cunningham: known as Lee, or Leroy. Records show he enlisted on March 3, 1862 at Honey Grove by J.A. Donelson for 12 months. Only two records survive. One muster roll for Feb. 28 to June 30, 1863 that shows him absent without leave since April 5. The next is for April, 1865, and lists him as on regular furlough, which must mean that he had rejoined his unit. His records say also see Brush Battalion. I am not sure what that means, except that J.R. McFarland’s do also, and the two brothers-in-law were together when they were returning home.

Frank Chamlee. First husband of Mary Ellen Terry, who later married Arthur Rodney McFarland. Enlisted as a private into Co. C of  the 22^nd Texas Cavalry (Steven’s Regiment of Texas Dismounted Cavalry) on April 10, 1862 at Ft. McCulloch for a period of 12 months. Deserted August 16, 1862 at Ft. Gibson. He was caught and court martialed and then put back in service. He must have left again and it seems he was not alone in doing this; however, he met a more severe fate than others. According to family lore, Frank was hunted down and killed by the Journegan brothers where he was hiding in Journegan’s Thicket in Hunt County. 

George W. Merrick. I have included his information because he was the commander of Co. C of the 22^nd Cavalry. Therefore his records indicate where the company was located at various times during the war. 

George W. Merrick enrolled on December 14, 1861 in Honey Grove, Texas by J.W. Piner for a period of 12 months. He was mustered at Ft. Washita on December 27, 1861, and described as being 5 ft. 10 in., 30 years old, born in Tennessee, dark hair, black eyes, dark complexion, horse worth $140, rigging worth $30. He is a 2^nd Lt. Jr. of Co. C of the 22^nd Cavalry. 

Muster roll for Jan. 16 to June 30, 1862, Co. C is now 1^st Indian Reg’t Texas Cavalry, and he signed the roll as Captain. 

Muster roll for June 30 to Dec. 31, 1862, Co. C is now called Stevens’ Regiment Texas Dismounted Cavalry. He is Captain. 

Next muster roll is for March and April, 1863, he is Captain and shows that he was last paid by Jim Farr to the date of Dec. 31, 1862. Receipts for pay show that he was paid $591 total for 6 months of service. The pay as a 2^nd Lt. was $90. a month. 

On May 15, 1863, George is promoted to Major, by order of Gen. E. Kirby Smith. The Commission begins on June 24, 1863 at Camp Allston in Louisiana. In June, 1863 he pays $24.00 for 4 yards of gray cloth. I assume this is so he can have a new uniform made to fit his new rank. On July 3, 1863, George was paid $284.40. The pay for a Captain was $140 a month and for a Major, $162. a month. 

The next muster roll is for Jan. and Feb. of 1864, he is still the Major of Stevens’ Reg’t Texas Dismounted Cavalry, and the station is Camp near Harrisonburg, Louisiana.

On May 18, 1864 George is promoted to Lt. Col. of Merrick’s Battalion Dismounted Cavalry of the 22^nd Cavalry, due to the death of Col. Stone. 

The last document that relates to his service is the Return of the troops, Maxey’s Infantry Division, in April, 1865 of Lt. Col. Merrick’s Battalion, 2^nd Brigade.

(Source: National Archives Records)