Book Description

The Texas 26th Cavalry Regiment was formed in March, 1862, using the 7th Texas Cavalry Battalion as its nucleus. Its companies were from Huntsville, Houston, Lockhart, Galveston, Centerville, and Hempstead, and Leon and Walker counties. Considered to be one of the best disciplined regiments in Confederate service, it was assigned to H. Bee's and Debray's Brigade in the Trans-Mississippi Department. The unit served along the Rio Grande and in January, 1864, contained 29 officers and 571 men. It was involved in the operations against Banks' Red River Campaign, then returned to Texas where it was stationed at Houston and later Navasota. Here the 26th disbanded in May, 1865. Companies were from Huntsville, Houston, Lockhart, Galveston, Centerville, and Hempstead, and Leon and Walker counties. Captain Riordan's Company A, from Harris county. Captain Myer's Company B, from Caldwell county. Captain McGreal's Company C, from Harris and Galveston counties. Captain McMahan's Company D, from Galveston and Leon counties. Captain Owen's Company E, Montgomery and Washington counties. Captain Menard's Company F, from Galveston and Liberty counties. Captain Atchison's company, from Bend county, composed of one-year men, was also accepted in the service and became Company G. These seven companies were organized into a battalion under the command of Major Samuel Boyer Davis, who, being at the same time Assistant Adjutant-General at District headquarters, soon resigned his lineal rank. On the 7th of December, 1861, Major X. B. Debray, of the Second regiment of Texas infantry, was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding, and Captain J. J. Myers, Major of the battalion. Then the work of disciplining and drilling was actively entered upon, and in a short time the battalion assumed the leading rank, in point of instruction and discipline, among the troops stationed on Galveston Island. In January, 1862, orders were received to raise three more companies for the purpose of completing a regiment. Commissions were issued to that effect, and by the close of the ensuing February, the following companies reported for duty, and were mustered in for the war: Captain Du Pree's Company H, from Montgomery and Grimes counties. Captain Whitehead's Company I, from Montgomery and Grimes counties. Captain Hare's Company K, from Harris county.