Benavides, Santos CSA

[DHPatrick]

I seriously doubt this is HIM - was there a "Junior", perhaps? The style of backdrop and fake railing smacks FAR more of the 1870-80's period than the 1860's. I also doubt he was a sergeant.

I need time to consider first. Though, he did have many relatives in the service - maybe one of them, if not him. His family continued to fight the Indians and bandits after the Civil War. Believe me, he had quite a few relatives that were loyal to his ways.

 

[AndyHall]

I'm a little dubious about the picture, as well, for some of the reasons James mentioned. It seems possible that the image was mis-identified when given to the museum, or it's a different Santos Benavides. I can see either of those things happening.

 

[DHPatrick]

I will say, that there are quite a few places named after him in Laredo, Texas. He is buried there, with full honors. ..But having lived there for several years, I suspected at the time the locals had all but forgotten him. I saw more people walking around with a 'Che' photo on their t-shirts than anything else. None of the youngsters, I talked to there, knew of Benavides.

 

[DHPatrick]

There is quite a large display of exhibits about him and the 33rd TX Cavalry at the Texas Heritage Museum in Hillsboro:

This would have had to be a photo of a much younger Santos Benavides if this were him. I tried to read the letters on the belt buckle, but could not quite make them out. Even though, I believe they read US and not CSA. The last letter is more of a 'S'. The design on his cuffs is not familiar to me, but I believe this uniform is that of the US Army. My question, was Santos in the US Army at some point before the Civil War? I don't know. This most likely would not have been the uniform of the 33rd Texas Cavalry, if that is the case.

His name is written at the bottom of the photo.

 

[bdtex]

This would have had to be a photo of a much younger Santos Benavides if this were him. I tried to read the letters on the belt buckle, but could not quite make them out. Even though, I believe they read US and not CSA. The last letter is more of a 'S'. The design on his cuffs is not familiar to me, but I believe this uniform is that of the US Army. My question, was Santos in the US Army at some point before the Civil War? I don't know. This most likely would not have been the uniform of the 33rd Texas Cavalry, if that is the case.

His name is written at the bottom of the photo.

I dunno. For some reason,I did not take any other pics of the 33rd TX Cavalry exhibit. Plan other visits to the Museum. Did not have time to look at all the Exhibits from the other wars with the attention they deserve. I'll look at the 33rd TX Cav display again next time.

 

[James N.]

I dunno. For some reason,I did not take any other pics of the 33rd TX Cavalry exhibit. Plan other visits to the Museum. Did not have time to look at all the Exhibits from the other wars with the attention they deserve. I'll look at the 33rd TX Cav display again next time.

Long ago I discovered that just because something's in a museum doesn't make it true.

 

[DHPatrick]

I think I will go by the museum, Monday of next week. I already had plans to visit friends in Waco for Thanksgiving. I guess I hadn't really realized that Hillsboro had such a place. I've been through there hundreds of times - not recently though. I guess, in times past, I tended to place more focus on West, Texas. I'm a big connoisseur of their kolaches.

 

[bdtex]

Long ago I discovered that just because something's in a museum doesn't make it true.

Yeah....I know...like the internet. Ima check it out next time I'm there.

 

[bdtex]

To be 100% honest,I had never heard of Santos Benavides prior to my visit to the Museum. You guys know more about him than me. All I did was take and post a pic. I need to use @chellers ' disclaimer.