Between the Enemy and Texas: Parsons's Texas Cavalry in the Civil War

Appendix

Appendix ] he ideal composition of a Confederate brigade such as Parsons's was three or four regiments, with ten companies constituting a regiment. The command structure at brigade level consisted of a brigadier general and his staff, but as noted with this brigade, a colonel in that position was not uncommon. Parsons's brigade staff included J. H. Brandon as the assistant adjutant general and A. J. Byrd as commissary of supplies, as well as aides-de-camp and a chief of ordnance. At the regimental level each headquarters also had its own staff while each company designated by one of the letters A through K with Jomitted, had elected officers under the control of a captain. A captain was instrumental in motivating his men's performance in the field. At the beginning of the war, prominent citizens with influence and sufficient capital competed for the position of captain by offering their services to a colonel on the condition that they could raise a full company. Recruiting took money and often required travelling through several counties to fill the quota, and occasionally a hopeful captain had to provide for the needs of the enlistees out of his own pocket. Necessarily a captain also had to possess a horse and equipment of value equal, if not superior, to those of his men. Obviously the average man could not often afford to raise a company. Since companies were strictly volunteer in 1861, the men had to be induced to join by the wit of the recruiter or promises of a better deal than from another officer. A good orator would fill his quota much quicker than a poor speaker. Military background did not necessarily guarantee a man would be successful in raising a command; personal popularity generally proved a much greater factor in the selection of officers. This did not necessarily mean a man would remain a captain throughout the war. The office was prestigious and frequently used as a stepping stone to higher rank. Significantly, since officers were elected, the men had the option of selecting their company commander. After 210: Between the Enemy and Texas the troops had engaged in combat, citizen soldiers generally replaced an incompetent officer-even if he had originally raised the companywith a man who exhibited outstanding qualities under fire. The captains could make a great deal of difference in the performance of individual commands. As the war progressed, casualties and resignations meant changes in officers, and actual performance in battle began to count for more in the elections. It was not unusual that the best men died leading troops in battle, since bravery was expected and death was the best testimony of one's courage. Experience counted, of course, but other factors also made some captains much more effective than others. A leader who displayed gallantry and daring could inspire his troops to follow with prideful zeal, but they would shrink away from one who failed to live up to their expectations. A captain often reflected the best qualities of the men he led, and the man elected to that position might indicate the type of personality respected and admired by the rank and file. The Texans who held this position in Parsons's brigade were a varied lot; some seemed born leaders, while others relied on power and money to obtain an office for which they had no background and very little natural ability. TWELFTH TEXAS CAVALRY REGIMENT 1 Field and Staff William H. Parsons-colonel John W. Mullen-lieutenant colonel A. Bell Burleson-lieutenant colonel Emory W. Rogers-major Lochlin J. Farrar-major William G. Vardell-adjutant A. Bell Burleson-adjutant William M. Daviess-adjutant T. G. A. Willis-quartermaster & commissary Henry L. Rankin-quartermaster & commissary R. A. Terrell-quartermaster F. H. Ayres-commissary J. R. Grover-quartermaster John D. Hogan-surgeon Thomas M. Matthews-surgeon W. H. B. Goodwin-surgeon Thomas D. Lorance-assistant surgeon A. J. Embree-assistant surgeon William Bethell-detailed surgeon W. F. Compton-chaplain J. Fred Cox-chaplain Elisha Terry-chaplain COMPANY CAPTAINS: Appendix: 211 The Twelfth Texas was the cadre of Parsons's brigade. By the time the Nineteenth and Twenty-first Texas arrived in Arkansas in 1862, Parsons's regiment had turned back the Federal advance toward Little Rock, and earned a reputation for daring fighting that endured throughout the war. Three captains from Parsons's brigade gave their lives in combat, and all...