The 28th Cavalry Regiment was organized on 01 Aug 1862, by Colonel Horace RANDAL, an 1854 graduate of the United States Military Academy. The unit began its organization at a camp three miles east of Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. In April 1862, Companies “B” and “E” from Cherokee County arrived at the camp, followed by companies “A”, “C”, “D”, “F”, and “G” in May. In June, Company “K” was formed by surplus men from companies “A” and “C”. The remaining companies, “H”, “I”, “L”, & “M” joined the regiment in July.

Originally formed with about 1,000 men and twelve (12) Companies, one company was transferred to the 19th Texas Infantry Regiment in 1864. The volunteers were from Anderson, Cherokee, Fairfield, Freestone, Harrison, Houston, Panola, Polk, Rusk, Shelby, Smith, and Wood counties. The unit traveled to Shreveport, Louisiana in July 1862 where they remained until 18 July 1862. The soldiers then traveled northward and arrived in Austin, Arkansas on 03 September 1862. By late September, the unit was dismounted (converted to infantry) and assigned to POLIGNAC's, RANDAL's, and MACLAY's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department. The regiment was active in Arkansas and Louisiana. They saw heavy fighting at Mansfield, Pleasant Hill and Jenkins' Ferry, Arkansas, where Colonel Horace RANDAL died of wounds he received on 30 Apr 1864.

The unit was dismounted in Sep 1962, because of a surplus of cavalry units in Arkansas and because of a lack of forage for the horses. The men refused to call themselves “infantry”, preferring instead the term “dismounted cavalry” as though it were a temporary condition. Much to the disappointment of the men, the 28th Texas was never remounted. During this time period, companies “L” and “M” were removed from the unit. Company “L” remained mounted and became part of Lt. Colonel Charles L. MORGAN’s Texas Cavalry Regiment. Company “M” became part of the 14th Texas Infantry, a unit that often served in the same brigade as the 28th Texas.

By the end of 1861, 25,000 Texans were in the Confederate army. Two-thirds of these were in the cavalry, the branch of service preferred by Texans. Governor Clark observed that "the predilection of Texans for cavalry service, founded as it is upon their peerless horsemanship, is so powerful that they are unwilling in many instances to engage in service of any other description unless required by actual necessity."

The field officers were Colonel Eli H. BAXTER and Colonel Horace RANDAL, Lieutenant Colonel Henry G. HALL, and Major Patrick HENRY. The 28th Cavalry was sent to Shreveport, Louisiana, in July 1862, where they remained until 18 Jul 1862. The regiment was brigaded with the 11th Texas Infantry, the 14th Texas Infantry, the 15th Texas Infantry, and the 6th Texas Cavalry Battalion, in September 1862. Colonel RANDAL became commander of the brigade, and Lt. Colonel Eli H. BAXTER, Jr. became commander of the 28th Texas Cavalry.

• Organized April 1862 - Companies “B” and “E” from Cherokee County arrived at the camp

• May 1862 - Companies “A”, “C”, “D”, “F”, and “G”

• Jun 1862 - Company “K” was formed by surplus men from companies “A” and “C”.

• July 1862 - remaining Companies, “H”, “I”, “L” & “M” joined the regiment

• 09 Jul 1862 - the regiment of twelve (12) Companies paraded through Marshall and left for Little Rock, Arkansas to join what later became the 2nd Brigade of Gen. John G. WALKER's Texas (Greyhound) Division.

• RANDAL's assigned 01 Aug 1862

• 03 Sep 1862 - RANDAL was appointed brigade commander. The unit was brigaded with the 11th, 14th, and 15th Texas infantry regiments, and the 6th Texas Cavalry Battalion (Dismounted). Colonel Horace Randal became commander of this brigade, and Lt. Colonel Eli H. Baxter, jr., became commander of the 28th Texas.

• Nov 1862- Jul 1863 - Attempt to Relieve Vicksburg, Mississippi. The unit was held in reserve at the battle of Milliken’s Bend. Walker’s Division traveled about 1,600 miles during this campaign.

• Fall 1863 - RANDAL’s Brigade (including the 28th Texas) went on an expedition from Alexandria toward Harrisonburg, Louisiana. Repulse of Major General Wm B. FRANKLIN’s army. WALKER’s Division spent much of November bombarding enemy transports on the Mississippi River.

• Oct 1863 - skirmish near Moundville, Louisiana on 24 Oct 1863

• Dec 1862 - the regiment joined Walker's Texas Division as the 2nd Brigade.

• Fall 1863 - RANDAL's brigade participated operations in Alexandria, Louisiana.

• Mar - Apr 1864, the regiment participated in the Red River Campaign and fought at the battles of Mansfield on April 8, and Pleasant Hill on April 9, 1864.

• Mar-Apr 1864 - Portions of Company “D” and Company “I” were stationed at Fort DeRussy, LA, when Union forces started their advance up the Red River. Twenty-three (23) soldiers, from a detachment of thirty-five (35) men, escaped capture at the fort.

• Spring 1864 - RANDAL led his units - repulsing Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. BANKS' Red River campaign

• 08 Apr 1864 - The 28th Texas fought at the "Battle of Mansfield" (4 killed, 17 wounded)

• 08 Apr 1864 - RANDAL was appointed brigadier general by Gen. E. Kirby SMITH, but his promotion was never confirmed by the Confederate government, as he died a few weeks later.

• 09 Apr 1864 - The 28th Texas fought at the "Battle of Pleasant Hill" (9 killed, 44 wounded, 2 missing)

• Apr 1864 - The men of WALKER’s Division marched into Arkansas in an attempt to destroy a Federal army under the command of Major General Frederick STEELE.

• 30 Apr 1864 - WALKER's Division, along with Confederate troops from Missouri and Arkansas attacked STEELE’s army near Jenkins’ Ferry. (20 killed, 40 wounded)

• 30 Apr 1864 - Colonel RANDAL mortally wounded

• 02 May 1864 - Colonel RANDAL dies from wounds received a few days earlier.

• 03 May 1864 - Letter to the soldiers of the Trans-Mississippi Department by General E. Kirby SMITH, “Once more in the hour of victory we are called upon to mourn the heroic dead. Generals W. R. SCURRY and Horace RANDAL have fallen upon the field of honor. At Jenkins' Ferry they offered themselves up precious victims on the altar of liberty. MOUTON and GREEN are gone; SCURRY and RANDAL have followed on the same glorious path. Be it ours to emulate their virtues and valor, and to act as men not unworthy to associate with such heroes. The colors of their respective brigades will be draped in mourning for thirty days”.

• May 1864-May 1865 - Marches took place in Arkansas and Louisiana in this last year, but the unit saw no fighting

• May 1865 - The 28th Texas Cavalry was surrendered in Austin, Texas.

BATTLE at JENKINS' FERRY
"Maj. Gen. Fred STEELE’s forces retreated from Camden after being mauled at Marks’ Mills and Poison Spring. On the afternoon of April 29, the Union forces reached Jenkins’ Ferry and began crossing the Saline River, which was swollen by heavy rain. Rebel forces arrived on the 30th and attacked repeatedly. The Federals repulsed the attacks and finally crossed with all their men and supply wagons, many of which they were compelled to abandon in the swamp north of Saline. The Confederates bungled a good chance to destroy STEELE’s army, which after crossing the river, regrouped at Little Rock."

PEA RIDGE, ARKANSAS
Elkhorn Tavern at Pea Ridge National Military Park. The cannons mark the location of Guibor's (Confederate) Missouri Battery during the fighting. Description: The battle fought here on March 7-8, 1862, between Confederate General Earl Van Dorn's Army of the West and Union General Samuel Curtis' Army of the Southwest was the largest fought west of the Mississippi, and with the losses of Forts Henry and Donelson the previous month, spelled doom for Confederate efforts in the Trans-Mississippi region. Pea Ridge may well be the best-preserved Civil War battlefield in the nation; the park area appears nearly exactly as it did in 1862. The 4,300-acre park is interpreted at the park visitor center and museum and through a driving tour that encompasses the majority of the battlefield.

Allen Bonnell Bryan & his uncle Wm Tell Pou served in the same Company. Wm Pou's brother. Decalb Pou, (and uncle to Allen B) was "killed in action" Civil War - Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi. I am not sure what Company he served in. Wm T and Decalb were the sons of my John POU, III. Wm T was a witness for Allen B on his application. Stephen Thomas & Daniel E KING also served in this Company. They were the brother-in-laws of Allen B Bryan. Daniel KING & Decalb POU were both killed at the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas.

• Alsup, James
• Baker, J.A.
• Barringer, W.F.
• Barton, Y.H.
• Beck, G.B.
• Beck, M.W.
• Benson, John
• Benton, James M., Sgt.
• Bird, Frederick H.
• Bird, J.W.
• Bishop, Lewis H.
• Boles, William
• Boman, J.J.
• Bowles, Joseph
• Bradberry, Joseph J
• Branch, Oliver C.
• Broden, J.M.
• Brown, Resin L.
• Bryan, Allen B.
• Bums, William P., Cpl.
• Bussey, Hezekiah K, Sgt
• Cadenhead, Monroe
• Carroll, Henry, Cpl.
• Carroll, Moses 1.
• Carroll, Thomas N.
• Carter, M.P.
• Carter, Wm F.
• Churchill, Alfred
• Cockrell, W.H.
• Coday, Lucien F., Cpl
• Collins, John J.
• Collins. Wm
• Corley, Alfred B.
• Corley, Gabriel R.W.
• Creech, James J., Cpl.
• Creech, Noah
• Creech, T.J.
• Damell. Wm H.
• Davis, Austin L., Bugler
• Davis, B.H.
• Davis, F.A., Ord.Sgt.
• Davis, Sidney H., Far.
• Dickinson. Samuel. Sgt.
• Dudley, J.R., Cpl.
• Ferguson. A.D.
• Finley, David S.
• Fletcher, L.D.
• Fletcher, Wm 0.

• Gibbs, Archibald P.
• GilberL Samuel C.
• Graves, L.M.
• Gwinn, J.V.
• Hargin. J.S.
• Harper, J.J.
• Harris, B,R.
• Harris, S.L., Cpl.
• Harris, Wm P.
• Harrison, James N.
• Headrick, A.S.
• Hewitt, John W.
• Hickey, Felix F.
• Hickey, J.L.
• Hickey, Wesley W., Black.
• Higgins, J.C.
• Higgins, Thomas V.
• Hilton, Wm H.
• Hooper, Obed R.
• Horn, Levi W.
• Hoskins, Marian T., Capt.
• Hutto, G.S.
• Jamison, W.A.
• Jeter, James H., Cpl.
• Johnston, Wm H.
• Jones, James
• Jones, Joseph F.
• Joyce, T.W.
• King, Daniel E.
• King, Stephen T.
• Lagrone, D.R.
• Lambright, Thomas M., 2nd Lt.
• Lemons, Wm E.
• Leslie, Alexander R.
• Lyons, Wm H.
• Martin, B.M., Cpl.
• Martin, J.J.
• Martin, Patrick H., Capt.
• McLendon. James A., Cpl.
• Medyett, Lewis
• Midyett, Will E., Sgt.
• Moore, P.J.
• Moorman, Wm K.
• Nail, Geor2e T.
• Needham, Wm L.
• Oden, Jefferson L., Bugler
• Odom, Thomas G.

• Palmer, James K.
• Parker, Lamack H.
• Pitman, T.M.
• Potts, Francis M.
• Pou, Wm
• Price, John
• Pryor, George W.
• Pyle, J.A.
• Pyle, JR.
• Pyle, James P.
• Pyle, Jeremiah M.
• Pyle, Loverick A.J.
• Pyle, Wm T., Cpl.
• Rains, George R.
• Ramsey, James J., 1st Sgt.
• Ramsey, O.F.
• Ramsey. Thomas P.
• Reed, G.W.
• Reed, Lemuel C.
• Reed, S.S.
• Rhodes, NeAion H.
• Rhodes, Samuel J.
• Rhoe, John J.
• Rogers, Wm J.
• Rudicton, J.M.
• Salter, James Day, Cpl.
• Sample, M.M., 2nd Lt.
• Sanford, John R.
• Sanford. Wm
• Sapp, Newton
• Shehom, A.T., Cpl.
• Simpson, Thomas D.
• Sinclair, John B.
• Sinclair, John T.
• Smith, Josephus
• Smith, Thomas
• Stone, Martin B.
• Storey, Joseph
• Taylor, Pinckney F.
• Thompson, S.H.
• Tims, Joseph S.
• Todd, John D.
• Trosper, James M., 1st Lt.
• Turpin, Wm C.
• Willis, Washington F.
• Woodfin, George W.