Hello, I am trying to find information about the Second Regiment, Texas State Troops.
I am curious about the other military unit, and why it is on his application for a headstone.
Anyone here familiar with the Second Regiment, Texas State Troops?
Texas State Troops were under the direction of the Texas Adjutant General's office. After Texas seceded, the office was reorganized creating an Adjutant and Inspector General, who would also serve as Quartermaster and Commissary General, and Ordnance Officer. Oversight of the Brigades of the Texas State Troops plus the Frontier Regiment fell to this office. Few detailed records exist, but what there is can be found in the Texas State Archives in Austin. Many Texans joined TST units early in the war and CSA units later.
I have an ancestor who was in the TST. The following is some of the research pertaining to his service. Early in the war, most of the TST units were inducted into Confederate service. As the war drug on, the Texas governor became concerned the Confederate government was sending all the Texas troops east and leaving the state almost defenseless. Those with more knowledge can better explain it, but at some point there was a dispute between the Texas governor and Richmond. He put his foot down and declared those enlisting in the TST's would not have to leave the state. The TST's were under orders from General Magruder, commanding all military forces in Texas. They even supported CSA units. By mid 1863, everyone in Texas believed a Federal invasion of the state somewhere on the Gulf Coast was imminent. Many Texans did not want to leave their homes defenseless and joined the TST instead of being conscripted or joining the CSA. Another selling point was the enlistments were for 6 months. My ancestor served two hitches in 1863 and 1864. At age 43, he enlisted in Company A, 4th Regiment Cavalry, TST and was stationed in Galveston. There is no record of this enlistment, but I have several letters between him and his wife from Oct '63 to Feb '64 and the furlough (approved by Brig Gen Thomas Green) he received when his first enlistment was up. He was required to report back in 30 days.
His second enlistment began on March 18, 1864. Philip Gathings reenlisted at Camp McCulloch, McLennan County, Tx, 4th Military Sub-District (Southern Texas), 1st Cavalry Rgt, 2nd Brigade, TST, Capt. W. A. Surgnier, cmdg Co "G". His equipment was appraised at; horse - $900, HE - $200, arms $125. On April 3, 1864, Philip was at Camp Murrah east of Tyler, Texas. He is listed on a muster roll at the archives dated March 18, 1864. This is documented in a card Index for Texans who served in the CW at the Texas State Archives in Austin.
The threat of an invasion of the Texas Gulf Coast had subsided because Union Gen N. P. Banks had begun the Red River Campaign in Louisiana. Gen Richard Taylor was begging for troops, but the governor would not release his TST's to go to his aide fearing he would never get them back. Instead he had them staged at Tyler in the event Taylor and Kirby Smith failed and Banks tried to invade East Texas.
It appears your Capt Clepper switched from TST to CSA early in the war, but this may provide you with the general idea into the workings of the TSTs.
Bringing the