Bryansite - Bryan Civil War Soldiers

"Father was in poor health when the War between the States started. He was a loyal Southerner, but had little hope that the South could win. He believed the odds against the South were too overwhelming. I recall that when .. my brothers joined the Confederate Army, we kissed them goodbye and an older sister admonished, 'Don't you two boys come back here shot in the back'.

During the war, we had neither sugar nor coffee. We used can syrup for sweetening and for coffee substituted parched wheat, parched corn or thin strips of hard baked sweet potatoes ground fine. The only coffee I saw during four years of the war were a few grains hidden away that we found by accident."

Excerpts from "Frontier Life" Julia W. Bryan DeSteiguer, daughter of Allen Bryan & Sarah Pou
San Marcos, Texas Newspaper 10 May 1940

BRYAN & CONNECTED FAMILY CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS
from Panola & Shelby Counties, 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."

Allen Bonnell BRYAN (1838) & his uncle Wm T. Pou, son of John Pou, III) served in the same Company (Co. K, 28th Dismounted Texas Cavalry). Wm T signed an "Affidavit of Witness" on behalf of Allen Bonnell Bryan for application to his "Soldier's Pension". Decalb Pou, also uncle to Allen B, was "killed in action" Civil War - Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi. I am not sure what unit he was in. Also serving in this Company were Allen's brother-in-laws, (siblings of his wife, Penelope King) Stephen Thomas King and Danied E King. Daniel died at the The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas-1862, as did Daniels' brother, Charles W King (husband to Allen's sister, Edna C Bryan). I do not know which unit Charles W King served with.
(See King | See Pou)

Company “K” was formed by surplus men from companies “A” and “C”. Horace Randal was Confederate brigadier general for the 28th Texas Cavalry. Horace was the 1st cousin of Allen's sister-in-law, Nancy Kyle, wife of John Henry Bryan. Nancy was the daughter of Robert E. Kyle & Elizabeth Martindale.
(See Kyle | See Martindale)

The 28th Texas Cavalry 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.

Andrew "Andy" Bacon BRYAN (1844-1926), son of Allen Bryan & Sarah Pou, joined Co "E", 3rd Reg't Cavalry, early 1861 and served until the close of the war. He was ranked both as a private and corporal. His brothers, Allen Bonnell and Edward Fox Bryan also served in the confederacy, as did his uncles, Wm Tell & Decalb POU, cousins, and in-laws. Wm T Pou served in the same unit as Allen B Bryan. His Uncle Decalb Pou was "killed in action" at the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi.
(See Pou)

"I enlisted and served in the military service of the Confederate States during the War Between the States of the United States, and that I did not desert the Confederate service, but during said war I was loyal and true to my duty,"

Edward Fox BRYAN (1833-1899) served in namely Company H, Capt Geo W DIAMOND, 34th Texas Cavalry, Col A.W. TERRELL. The records show that E.F. BRYAN, private, 2nd Company #, formerly Company F, commanded by Capt Geo W DIAMOND, TERRELL'S (latterly known as the 37th, also called the 34th) Reg't Texas Cavalry, C.S.A., enlisted May 18 1863, at Carthage, Texas. On the muster roll for Jan and Feb 1864, only roll on file, he was reported present. Nothing additional relative to him has been found. The records show that Capt DIAMOND also commanded Company H of said Reg't.

Two of Edward's younger brothers, Allen Bonnell & Andrew Bacon Bryan also served in the Confederacy, as did his brother-in-laws, (siblings of his wife, Sarah King) Stephen Thomas King and Daniel E King (both fought in the same division as his brother Allen B. Daniel died at the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas-1862, as did Daniels' brother, Charles W King (husband to Allen's sister, Edna C Bryan). I do not know which unit Charles W King served with.

Emma Carruthers BRYAN's (1847-1932) (daughter of Allen Bryan & Sarah Pou), husband, Henry P. KING (1840-1916) served as Lieutenant, in the 6th Texas Confederate Calvary under General Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" ROSS. Three of Emma's brothers, Allen B, Andrew B & Edward F Bryan signed up for service in various Confederate Cavalry units. Allen & Edward were married to King sisters, siblings to Henry P King. Her brother, Allen B & brother-in-laws, Daniel E & Stephen "Thomas" King served in the 28th Texas Dismounted Cavalry. Daniel King was killed at The Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, as was his brother Charles W King. Charles was the husband of Edna C Bryan, Emma's sister.

Emma filed for a "Soldier's Widow Pension" - Pension number: 47352, in Hays County, Texas.
(See King)

WAR DEPARTMENT

THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE
WASHINGTON, August 21, 1930

Respectfully returned to
Mrs. Wm. A. WYATT, President,
Lone Star Chapter U.D.C.,
San Marcos, Texas.

The records show that Edward DeSTIGNER, also borne as Edward DeSTEIGNER, not found as Edward DeSTEIGUER or as Edward De STIGER, private, Company G, 11 Missouri Infantry, Confederate States Army, enlisted August 18, 1862, at Fayetteville, Arkansas, for the period of 3 years or the war. Company muster for August 31 to December 31, 1862, shows that he was promoted to a regimental steward. Field and Staff Muster Roll for March and April 1863, shows that he was assigned to duty September 16, 1862, by Col. HUNTER, per S.O. He was paroled at Shreveport, Louisiana, June 7, 1865, with the rank of Assistant Surgeon.

C.H. BRIDGES
Major General,
The Adjutant General,
By M.C.

Julia Wolfe "Poppie" BRYAN (1848-1941), daughter of Allen Bryan & Sarah Pou, and wife of Dr. Edward DeSTEIGUER, wrote about her family's hardships during the "War between the States" in an article that was printed in the San Marcos, Texas Newspaper 10 May 1940. Julia was not married to her husband at the time he served in the Missouri Infantry.

"My husband, the said Edward DeSTEIGUER, served as a Confederate soldier in the war between the States of the United States. That my husband served honorably from the date of his enlistment until the close of the war. He was honorably paroled Shreveport, Louisiana June 17th 1865."

She filed for a "Soldier's Widow Pension" Sep 1930. She was living in San Marcos, Hays County, Texas.

Five children of Allen Bryan & Sarah Pou married five children of Stephen King & Sara Dupree. Three of the Bryan boys, and at least four of the King's fought in the Confederacy. Stephen & Sarah King's eldest and youngest sons were both killed during the war at the "Battle of Pea Ridge", Arkansas.

Charles "Wm" King, husband of Edna C Bryan, died at the Battle of Pea Ridge, AR - may have served in the 11th Tx Infantry - Company A

Stephen "Thomas" King who served with Co K, 28th (dismounted) Texas Cavalry, along with his brother Daniel E King & brother-in-law, Allen B Bryan, husband of Penelope King.

Henry P. KING (1840-1916), husband of Emma C Bryan, served as Lieutenant, in the 6th Texas Confederate Calvary under General Lawrence Sullivan "Sul" ROSS.
Emma filed for a "Soldier's Widow Pension" - Pension number: 47352, in Hays County, Texas.
(See Bryan)

Daniel E King served with Co K, 28th (dismounted) Texas Cavalry alongside his brother Stephen "Thomas" and brother-in-law, Allen Bonnell Bryan. Daniel was also killed at the Battle of Pea Ridge.

Edward Fox Bryan, husband of Sarah Ann King, served with Co D, later the 34th Reg't Texas Cavalry

While my great-grandmother, Nancy Kyle, wife of John Henry Bryan, did not have any brothers old enough to serve, and her father, Robert E Kyle was too old, she did have several cousins, uncles and brother-in-laws that served in the Confederate Army. The most noted soldier was her 1st cousin,
Brig. General Horace Randal, one of the first Texans to graduate from West Point Military Academy.

Three of her brother-in-laws, sons of Allen Bryan & Sarah Pou, served in the Confederate Calvary. Her uncle, Oliver P Martindale (1st cousin to Nancy Kyle), was also a soldier. Oliver P signed an "Affidavit of Witness" on behalf of, Nancy's brother-in-law, Allen Bonnell Bryan, for application to his "Soldier's Pension". Allen B. Bryan served in 28th Texas Dismounted Cavalry, as did some of his uncles & brother-in-laws. This is the Cavalry Unit that Nancy's 1st cousin, Brig. General Horace Randal was placed over. Horace was the son of Nancy's aunt, Sarah "Sallie" Kyle Randal.

Sarah "Sallie" Kyle Randal, wife of Dr. John Leonard Randal, son, Brig. General Horace Randal was the commanding officer for the 28th Texas Dismounted Cavalry. His brother, John "Leonard" Randal may have also served in the army. Dr. John L Randal and several of his and Sallie's son-in-laws also served.

Dr. John Leonard Randal, served as surgeon in the United States Army during the Mexican War and was appointed assistant surgeon on 03 Mar 1847. He was assigned to the 12th Infantry on 09 Apr and resigned on 03 Aug 1847. Dr. Randal succeeded James Gaines in the called session of the Sixth Congress in 1842, as a representative of the Shelby, Sabine, and Harrison districts in the Senate. He was re-elected to the same office in the Seventh Congress, 1842-43. He was recruited into the 28th Cavalry, as regimental surgeon, by his son, Horace. Later, Dr. RANDAL was appointed surgeon of the Second Brigade of Gen. John G. Walker's division. His service, primarily in Arkansas, was cut short by his failing health. On 22 Mar 1863, he submitted his resignation, which was accepted on 09 Jun 1863.

Horace RANDAL (1833-1864) - was one of the first graduates from the West Point Military Academy from Texas. In 1849, Horace and James B. McINTYRE became the first Texas appointees to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Due to his deficiency in mathematics and English, he spent five (5) years at the academy and thus was the 2nd Texas graduate from West Point. He graduated 01 Jul 1854, and was brevetted second lieutenant in the Eighth United States Infantry.

He was commissioned a "Colonel of Cavalry" on 18 Feb 1862, and recruited the 28th Texas (Dismounted) Cavalry regiment in and around Marshall, Harrison Co, Texas and served in Arkansas and Louisiana. RANDAL recruited his father, Dr. John Leonard Randal, Surgeon, brother, and brother-in-law as members of his regimental staff. Also enlisted in the 28th Texas (Dismounted) Cavalry regiment "Company K", were Allen Bonnell BRYAN (son of Allen BRYAN & Sarah POU), Daniel E KING & Stephen "Thomas" KING, (sons of Stephen KING & Sarah E DUPREE) and Wm Tell POU, son of (John POU, III & Mary DURHAM). He led the brigade at Milliken's Bend during the Vicksburg Campaign in June 1863, and in repulsing Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. BANKs's Red River campaign in the spring of 1864. He was appointed brigadier general by Gen. E. Kirby SMITH on 08 Apr 1864, but his promotion was never confirmed by the Confederate government, as he died a few weeks later.

Brig. General RANDAL died of wounds on 02 May 1864, he received at the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry, Arkansas, on 30 Apr 1864. He was first buried at the hamlet of Tulip, Arkansas, near the battlefield. His remains were later removed to the Old Marshall Cemetery in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas. A state marker was erected at his grave in 1962. Randall County was named for him.

In a letter to the soldiers of the Trans-Mississippi Department by General E. Kirby SMITH, 03 May 1864, “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”.

Oliver P MARTINDALE (1844-1929), son of Wm Martindale, brother to Elizabeth Martindale Kyle, signed an "Affidavit of Witness" on behalf of Allen Bonnell Bryan for application to his "Soldier's Pension". Allen was the brother-in-law of Oliver's 1st cousin, Nancy Kyle Bryan. Nancy Kyle was the wife of my John Henry Bryan, Allen Bonnell & John Henry were the sons of Allen Bryan & Sarah Pou.

Oliver filed an "Application for Soldier's Pension" #21923, in Shelby Co, TX. His widow, Elizabeth J. McCann, filed "Application for Soldier's Widow Pension" #50401.

Also, filing for a "Widow Pension" was Mrs. M.J. Martindale, widow of John. This was filed in Jasper Co, TX, #07877. I do not know who this John Martindale was, but he was of some relation to my Elizabeth Martindale Kyle.

Wm T. Pou (1845-1934), son of John Pou, III & Mary Durham, was the half-brother to my Sarah Pou Bryan. Wm T served in the 28th Texas (Dismounted) Cavalry, Co K with his nephew, Allen Bonnell Bryan. His brother. Decalb Pou, was "killed in action" Civil War - Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi. I am not sure what Company he served in. Wm T signed an "Affidavit of Witness" on behalf of Allen Bonnell Bryan for application to his "Soldier's Pension". Wm T Pou filed a "Soldier's Pension Application" #21948 in Shelby Co, TX

Decalb Pou (1840-1863), son of John Pou, III, and half-brother to my Sarah Pou Bryan, was "killed in action" at the Battle of Vicksburg, Mississippi. His brother, Wm T Pou served in Co. K, 28th Texas Regiment, Dismounted Cavalry. The same unit that their nephew, Allen Bonnell Bryan served in. I do not know which unit Decalb served in.

POU COUSINS

The (Texas) POU's still had cousins in Orangeburg, SC. Their father, John POU, III's family originated from there after arriving from Scotland.

Benjamin Pou Izlar, 2nd cousin to Decalb & Wm T POU, enlisted in 1st (Hagood's) Infantry Regiment, Company A on 20 Jul 1861 at Summerville, S.C., where he served as 1st, 2nd & 4th Corporal at various times. Ben was the 3rd cousin to Allen B, Andrew B & Edward Fox Bryan.

Ben Pou Izlar was a Confederate Corporal in South Carolina 1st Inf - Co A (Edisto Rifles)

promoted from 4th to 2nd Corporal 01 Oct 1862
promoted from 2nd to 1st Coporal between 31 Dec 1861 & 28 Feb 1862
on muster roll of 12 Apr 1862

Some other cousins of Decalb & Wm T POU served in Company G, 6th Alabama Confederate Infantry

Lewis A POU, son of John Wesley POU & Rachael A. GOLSAN, enlisted in the Confederate Army in Alabama 02 Jun 1861. He was elected 3^rd Lieutenant on 27 Mar 1861 & Captain 28 Apr 1862, Company G, 6th Alabama Confederate Infantry. He was wounded at Seven Pines, Virginia. Lewis married Caroline Salome ROBINSON on 19 Jan 1869. He was Lawyer. Lewis served with his brother, Wm S POU and cousins, Francis Marion & Jacob B GOLSAN (brothers).
Wm Sebastian POU, -Band Musician - son of John Wesley POU & Rachael A. GOLSAN, served in Company G, 6th Alabama Confederate Infantry as a Private. Wm S served in the same unit as his brother, Capt. Lewis A POU and cousins, Francis Marion & Jacob B GOLSAN (brothers). Wm married Laura C TAYLOR on 16 Dec 1865. They are both buried in the Rocky Hill Cemetery in Autaugaville, Alabama.
Francis "Marion" GOLSAN, son of Ann Baxter POU & Gasper GOLSAN, enlisted in in Company G, 6th Alabama Confederate Infantry as a Private 01 Mar 1862 at Autaugaville, Autauga County, Albama. He was listed at the surrender of Lee to Grant at Appomattox, Virginia. Francis' brother, Jacob B GOLSAN & cousins, Capt. Lewis A POU & Private, Wm S POU served in the same unit.
Jacob B GOLSAN , son of Ann Baxter POU & Gasper GOLSAN, enlisted in in Company G, 6th Alabama Confederate Infantry as a Private. Jacob's brother, Francis Marion GOLSAN & cousins, Capt. Lewis A POU & Private, Wm S POU served in the same unit.

* * * * *

The Autauga Rifles was organized at Independence Alabama in May 1861, was camped a few days at Autaugaville and was ordered to Corinth Mississippi. We left home with one hundred men, with Dr. T. A. Davis, Captain, W. F. Davis, 1st Lieutenant, H. L. Golson, 2nd Lieutenant, , 3rd Lieutenant, G. H. Thompson, 1st Sergeant. From Corinth we were ordered to Manassas Virginia and remained near there during the summer. In June we lost our first member from disease, W. O. DeJarnette and during the summer we lost from camp fever J. J. Willis, A. J. Dodson, John Hampton and W. Wiggins. In March 1862, we broke up winter quarters and were sent to Yorktown. Here we lose another member from sickness, one of our best boys, loved by every one who knew him, David Jones, a messmate. While camped here we were joined by over one hundred men from home. The time of our enlistment being about to expire, we re-enlisted for the war and elected L. A. Pou, Captain, R. G. Golson 1st Lieutenant, G. H. Thompson 2nd Lieutenant, J. D. Perry 3rd Lieutenant, J. M. Thompson 1st Sergeant. Still in the 6th Alabama with John B. Gordon Colonel. In the later part of April we fell back to near Richmond where we remained until the Battle of Seven Pines. Captain Pou was disabled by a wound in his arm and left us to return to home.

Alabama Department of History and Archives.

~ ~ ~ ~

Company A known as Edisto Rifles, of Orangeburg District, entered State service April 12, 1861 - volunteered for Confederate service at Summerville, 20 Jul 1861, and was mustered into service at Summerville, 22 Aug 1861, by Thomas S. Mills, A. A. A. General, Mustering Officer. - At the Reorganization, 12 Apr 1862, Company A withdrew from Hagood's Regiment and joined the 25th Regiment. S. C. V., then organizing.

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.

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."

ROSS'S BRIGADE, C.S.A.
Although known by the name of its most famous commander, Lawrence Sullivan Ross, the Texas Cavalry Brigade was under the authority of three other officers during the War between the States. The first commander was Col. John W. WHITFIELD, who, on 23 Oct 1862, was given command of a newly formed brigade composed of four dismounted Texas cavalry regiments-the 3^rd, 6^th, 9^th, and his own 27^th. (The 3^rd, 6^th, and 9^th, had previously been brigaded together under Gen. James McINTOSH in Benjamin McCULLOCH's Army of the West and had seen action at the battle of Pea Ridge or Elkhorn Tavern in March 1862.) These regiments, recruited mainly from twenty-three central, northeastern, and north central counties, were veterans of campaigns in Indian Territory, Arkansas, and Missouri as well as in the battles of Iuka and Corinth. As part of Gen. Earl Van Dorn's cavalry division, the remounted Texas Brigade raided the federal supply base at Holly Springs, Mississippi, in Dec 1862, an action that halted Ulysses S. Grant's land advance to Vicksburg. On 05 Mar 1863, the brigade, operating in Tennessee, captured a large Union reconnaissance force at Thompson's Station. Later, it participated in the first battle of Franklin (April 10, 1863).

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