Just a short prologue to my post. I've been chasing history books that addressed this gentleman for some time. There seems to be little written on him. I've often wondered why. ...this not to suggest any dark motive, I just didn't understand why such an important player in the Civil War wouldn't have been discussed more.
After all he was one of the most successful leaders on the battlefield in the State of Texas. Given the high success of the Union Naval blockade, Col Benavides kept the border open between the Confederacy and the outside world. Lots of equipment and supplies flowed through that border.
Recently I attempted to chide the Texas Historical Association for it's luke warm coverage of him. They put out an eBook on Texas in Civil War - not one mention of him.
Colonel Benavides was born in 1812 in Laredo, Texas. He and his family grew up along the Texas border near Laredo. He fought against the Indians and Mexican bandits. When the Civil War started, the US offered him an appointment as a general officer. He turned it down in favor of an appointment as a captain in the Confederacy.
Looking through the unit roster you will see most of his family, cousins and other kin. All volunteer soldiers. Interesting because each of them could have easily slipped across the border into Mexico and not served in the Anglo war.
He and his family served in the 33rd Texas Cavalry. They were engaged in several small battles and won most all of these engagements. Had it not been for his regiment, the North would have moved up along the Rio Grande from Brownsville and separated the Confederacy from Mexico.
The story has it that he was to have been appointed to the rank of general, but the Civil War ended before Pres Jefferson Davis could sign off on the appointment.
This information is all off the top of my head. Been awhile since I've visited it. Will add more as I find the time.
MARCH 19, 1864.--Attack on Laredo, Tex.
Reports of Col. Santos Benavides, Texas Cavalry.*
HDQRS. LINE OF THE RIO GRANDE,
Laredo, Tex., March 19, 1864--7 p. m.
SIR: I have the honor to inform you that the town of Laredo has been
attacked this afternoon about 3 o'clock by the enemy's forces, consisting
of about 200 men (cavalry), Mexicans and Americans, which, I think,
is the advance guard of the enemy's forces en route to this place. I have
received positive information from my spies down below on the river
that the remainder of the enemy's forces are the following: About 300
men (infantry) and two pieces of artillery coming this way, and which
will arrive here in about two days. I have resisted these forces here now
during this afternoon with my men, which are about 60 men all told.
We have done all we could-resisted the enemy until night broke in. The
enemy have withdrawn to about half a mile from town, but still keep up
their fire with us. You are well aware that their arms have superiority
over ours, so we have barricaded the plaza and streets and are anxious
to receive re-enforcements. I am entirely in the dark yet whether the
encampment of our forces was attached or not at the same time, but I
hope not. As soon as my men, who are encamped on the Lapata, about
25 miles north of Laredo, arrive here this night, I will try to attack the
enemy to-morrow morning. I have also sent a swift express to Capt.
Giddings, commanding at Eagle Pass, to send me or re-enforce me
with all his men he can possibly spare as on as possible. Should I fail
to obtain the necessary re-enforcements before the enemy advanced in
so strong a force, I will be compelled to evacuate this town and retreat
toward Eagle Pass, as it is an impossibility for me to remain here much
longer without any re-enforcements and on account of the scarcity of
ammunition on hand. I would suggest to you that if you could succeed,
to get into the rear of the enemy, touching the river about the Clareno
ranch or farther up. I think that if I join with Capt. Giddings'
command, which numbers about 150 men, I shall be able to hold Eagle
Pass until you succeed to get into the enemy's rear. I must state that the
reason of
not being notified sooner of the movements of the enemy is that the
Yankees have not traveled any road whatsoever, but being guided by
some good guides, and were never encountered by my scouts.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SANTOS BENAVIDES,
Col., Cmdg. Line.
Col. JOHN S. FORD,
Cmdg. Expeditionary Forces, Camp San Fernando.
-----
HDQRS. LINE OF THE RIO [GRANDE],
Laredo, Tex., March 21, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to report that the town of Laredo was attacked by
the enemy on the 19th ultimo, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The
news of the advance of the enemy on this town reached me only a short
time before they were in view, and but little time was left to make
preparations for our defense. I immediately collected my forces, only
consisting of about 42 men of Capt.'s Refugio and Cristoval
Benavides' companies, and Capt. Chapman's company, numbering
about 30 men, and also a few American volunteers. All the citizens of
this town rallied gallantly for the defense; and erecting barricades in the
plaza, after I posted the citizens and Capt. Chapman's company for
the defense of the interior of the town, I proceeded with 42 men of my
command to its outskirts, divided them in squads, and placed them
compelled them to retreat to their main force, stationed half a mile from
town. The Yankees, dismounting, the advanced on foot, keeping up a
rapid fire. My men also maintained a steady fire, when the brave Maj.
Swope and a Mexican named Juan Ivara charged right upon an
advancing squad of 40 Yankees and compelled them to retreat. Maj.
Swope stood there until he emptied the last shot of his six shooter, which
compelled him to retire for the purpose of reloading. While doing so his
horse was shot three times, and also Juan Ivara's. The enemy advanced
again, but were repulsed by the vigorous fire of my gallant men, who
were full of fight. None of our men were killed or wounded. I am not
positive that any of the enemy have been killed, but my men assert that
a good many of the Yanks were wounded, and that traces of blood have
been found in various places. The firing was kept up until dark, when
the Yankees thought best to skedaddle in their own peculiar style and
give up their intention of walking into Laredo that day. They retreated
about dark 3 miles below town and encamped, and our men kept by me
in the same position described, expecting every moment a new assault
on the town. About 2 o'clock at night my re-enforcements arrived,
which were stationed about 25 miles north from Laredo for the purpose
of grazing our horses. On the arrival of my re-enforcements a general
rejoicing took place among our little force, indicated by the ringing of
church bells and blowing of trumpets,
which I presume the Yanks must have heard and rather guessed that I
received re-enforcements. Early next morning, Capt. Refugio
Benavides, with about 60 well-mounted men, was sent to flank the
enemy and get into their rear. He found, on reaching the enemy's camp,
that they all had left in a stampede, throwing away some jackets and
other things. He found, also, 5 horses, branded U. S., which were left
behind by the locomotive enemy in their hasty retreat.
Capt. R. Benavides started out again yesterday in pursuit of the
enemy, to follow them up and find out all he can concerning them and
their movements. To the best of my belief they are retreating towards
Rio Grande City, where the other portion of the enemy is stationed, and
their strength at Rio G [rande] City is supposed to be 300 men (infantry)
and two 12-pounder rifled guns. I think that the enemy will advance
next time in am ruche larger force. They are well aware what my force
is through their spies, and will
undoubtedly bring a sufficient body next time to attack this place. I have
written to Capt. Giddings, commanding at Eagle Pass, to re-enforce
me with all his available men as soon as possible, and would also
suggest to you to send some re-enforcements to me if they can be spared
from your command. I will do my best to hold the town as long as
possible against any number of foes, but to do so I would beg of you to
send me some ammunition, which I am in great need of. My requisition
was not all filled at San Antonio last time. Please send me some
Mississippi yagers, shotguns, minie rifle, Belgian musket, and navy-size
six-shooter cartridges if possibly before ten days.
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
SANTOS BENAVIDES,
Col., Cmdg. Line of Rio Grande.
Col. JOHN S. FORD, or
COMDG. OFFICER,
At San Antonio, Tex.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 647-61 LOUISIANA AND THE TRANS-MISSISSIPPI. [CHAP. XLVI.
[Series I. Vol. 34. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 61.]
Bringing the