Background
Information on Major Matthew Nolan
By Judy C. Ware 2017  Major Mat Nolan Courtesy of Brownsville Historical Association (Ref. 2145) Matt (sometimes spelled with only one ‘t’ as in Mat) Nolan was born in 1834; making him two years younger than James Ware. He was the son of Irish immigrants who both died when Matt and his older sister and younger brother were very young. Mary, the older sister, married a soldier and enlisted her brothers in Zachary Taylor’s 2nd Dragoons. Matt was 13 when he became a bugler, and Tom was 9 when he took on the role of drummer boy. They both served in Company G with distinction. When the war ended in 1848, Matt and Tom returned to their home in Corpus. In 1850, Matt joined a Texas Ranger unit as a bugler commanded by John S. (Rip) Ford. Col. Ford remembered Matt fondly in his memoirs. He wrote that Nolan “rushed barefoot through prickly pear to get a shot at the retreating foe.” He distinguished himself again during a skirmish with Comanche Indians near Fort Merrill on May 26, 1850. Nolan stayed with Ford and the rangers during the 1850s. Moving back to Corpus Christi, Matt was elected Sheriff of Nueces County in 1858. He named his brother, Tom, as deputy sheriff. When the Civil War broke out, Nolan raised a company of volunteers from Corpus Christi and joined the 2nd Texas Cavalry. The records state, “Capt. James A. Ware, of James A. Ware’s Company, Partisan Rangers enrolled May 14, 1862 at Cayman Lake by Capt. Mat Nolan.” The two men would always share that experience. Another big event in May for Major Nolan was his marriage to Margaret J. McMahon. Now, both officers had wives living in Corpus Christi and therefore, felt an even firmer conviction in keeping the region safe. The citizens appreciated their service as well. “In these two officers – in fact, in many others which were coming to the front – the people felt that they had something tangible and firm on which they could depend in the hour of adversity and trial. Nolan and Ware had obtained leaves of absence from their respective commanders to remain in that section.” (Ref. 1006) Once again, Nolan’s military service was a success. His actions in the Battle of Galveston in 1863 led to his promotion to the rank of major. When Col. Ford started his expedition to the Red River, he knew that Major Nolan was in charge of the troops near Banquet. Capt. James A. Ware (in charge of his men called Ware’s Battalion) was in command of the forces near Patricio. “They were the only Confederate forces available to oppose Yankee raiders and their renegade collaborators. But, as Nolan reported to Colonel Ford, with so few men and so poorly equipped, he could only act on the defensive.” (Ref. MB) Matt and James fought side by side in some major skirmishes. In one official report dated in March 1864, Nolan wrote, “Ware and his men ‘acted with conspicuous gallantry’ and ‘behaved coolly and bravely’.” Both officers served under very trying times with very few supplies and equipment for their men. After the war, Nolan was re-elected as Sheriff of Nueces County. Sadly, he was shot down in the line of duty on the night of December 22, 1864. He had only been married two short years. He is buried in Old Bay View Cemetery in Corpus Christi, next to his brother Tom.  Grave for Matthew Nolan |
|
This site maintained by John Reagan |