Waul's Texas Legion

HISTORICAL NOTES:
The cavalry battalion was first led by Lt. Col. Leonodias Willis and the artillery battery by Capt. William Edgar. The legion was assigned first to Arkansas and Louisiana. There, owing to the difficulty associated with commanding mixed arms, it was stripped of its cavalry and artillery components.

The Cavalry battalion contained six companies, later increased to seven. It served in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana, skirmished in Mississippi, then fought with Forrest in Western Tennessee and Kentucky. The unit returned to Mississippi, saw action in Hood's operations in Northern Georgia, and ended the war in Alabama. In October, 1863, it had 450 men present, but few surrendered with the Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana.

The first infantry battalion was originally commanded by Lt. Col. Barnard Timmons and the second by Lt. Col. James Wrigley. The infantry regiment contained twelve companies and served in the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana.

In October 1862 the infantry companies were transferred to Mississippi and reorganized into two battalions of six companies each. Attached to Gen. John C. Pemberton's Army of Vicksburg, the legion played a stalwart role in that city's defense.

The Legion fought in the Vicksburg Campaign and was captured on July 4, 1863. With the exception of a single company, then on detached duty, it was captured with the fall of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863. After being exchanged and reorganized in Texas, it was stationed at Galveston attached to the Trans-Mississippi Department. In December, 1864, the regiment had 14 officers and 204 men, and in April, 1865, totalled 315 effectives. During May it disbanded.
OFFICERS:
Cavalry Battalion:
Lieutenant Colonel:
  • L. Willis Majors:
  • H. S. Parker
  • John R. Smith
  • Benjamin F. Weeks
    Infantry Regiment:
    Colonels:
  • Barnard Timmons
  • Thomas N. Waul Lieutenant Colonels:
  • O. Steele
  • James Wrigley Majors:
  • E. S. Bollong
  • Allen Cameron
  • Otto Nathusius
  • ASSIGNMENTS:
    Infantry Regiment:
  • Eastern District of Texas, Trans-Mississippi Department (May-August 1862)
  • Waul's Legion, Lovell's Division, District of the Mississippi, Department # 2 (September-October 1862)
  • Waul's Legion, Loring's Division, Lovell's Corps, Army of West Tennessee, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana (October-December 1862)
  • Waul's Legion, Loring's Division, Lovell's Corps, Army of North Mississippi, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana (December 1862-January 1863
  • Waul's Legion, Loring's Division, Army of the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana (January 1863)
    Cavalry Regiment:
  • Waul's Legion, 2nd Military District, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana (January-March 1863)
  • Moore's Brigade, Loring's Division, 2nd Military District, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana (March-April 1863)
  • Moore's Brigade, Loring's Division, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana (April 1863)
  • Waul's Legion, Stevenson's Division, Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana (April-July 1863)
    Captured at Vicksburg July 1863
  • Luckett's Brigade, Eastern Sub-district, District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, Trans-Mississippi Department (December 1863-January 1864)
  • Eastern Sub district, District of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, Trans-Mississippi Department (January-February 1864)
  • 1st Sub-district, District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona,Trans-Mississippi Department (May-September 1864)
  • 5th (Hawes') Texas Brigade, 2nd (Hebert's) Texas Division, 3rd Corps, Trans-Mississippi Department (September 1864-May 1865)
  • BATTLES:
    Infantry Regiment:
  • Fort Pemberton (March 11-April 5, 1863)
  • Vicksburg Campaign (May-July 1863)
  • Vicksburg Siege (May-July 1863)
  • ROSTERS:
    The roster of this unit contains the names of 4226 men.

  • 1st Infantry : Colonel Barnard Timmons
  • 2nd Infantry : Colonel James Wrigley
  • Cavalry : Six Companies : Later Seven Commanded by Lt. colonel Leonidas Willis
  • Artillery : Edgars Battery under Captain William Edgar
  • BIBLIOGRAPHY:






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