The Historic 3rd Texas CavalryThe 3rd Texas Cavalry Regiment was recruited from thirteen East Texas counties including Eastern Harrison, Rusk, Cherokee, Hunt, Fannin, San Augustine, Shelby, Kauffman, Dallas, Jefferson, Upshur, Cass, and Smith County.
Colonel E. B. Greer`s Cavalry Regiment, as the 3rd Texas Cavalry was known in the beginning, was the first Texas cavalry regiment to be mustered for out-of-state service. It soon headed toward the border of Texas and planning to join General McCulloch at Fort Smith, Arkansas. The 3rd fought hard for the duration of the War experiencing both victory and defeat, sweltering heat and bitter cold, times of joy and celebration and times of sickness and suffering. They spent much time in the saddle riding hard from one location to another throughout Mississipp, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. The 3rd fought in many skirmishes and played important roles is several major efforts including the defense of Corinth, Vicksburg, and Atlanta. At different times the 3rd was a part of the Texas Brigade, the Army of Tennessee and the Ary of Mississippi and fought under several leaders including E.B. Greer, Van Dorn, Sul Ross, and Nathan Bedford Forrest to name a few. The war officially ended for the Texas Brigade and the 3rd Texas Cavalry on May 8th 1865. There were 206 men left of the 3rd Texas cavalry when they were surrendered or paroled as it was put at the time. The 3rd and their horses rode barges on the river to Natchitoches in Louisiana. From there they disembarked and made their own way home. See A Brief History of the 3rd Texas Cavalry by Justin M. Sanders. See 3rd TEXAS CAVALRY REGIMENT, CONFEDERATE STATES ARMY Battles of the Historic 3rd Texas CavalryAugust 10, 1861 Wilson's Creek
|