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Chapter 8 The year 1863 literally started
off with a bang. Galveston, then Texas' largest city and port,
had been captured by the Federals in early October 1862. Immediately
upon assuming command of Texas, Magruder began planning to recapture
the coastal city. He launched an early morning land-sea attack on
January 1, 1863, catching the Northern occupiers completely by surprise
and retaking Galveston after an intense battle between both the naval
and land forces of each side. (Ref. Texas History)
There were new adjustments in
leadership with the New Year as well. The following description
applied to James in January and February of 1863:
James A. Ware, 1st Cavalry (Yager’s) of Texas - - Belonging to Captain James A. Ware’s Company Texas Cavalry. Company Muster Roll of the organization for Jan. & Feb. 1863 states that James enlisted on May 14, 1862 at Cayman Lake for a period of three years or the war. He was paid by Capt. Gilpin. Value of horse $275.00 and equipment $25.00. James signed as the Commander of the Company. This company subsequently became Company F 1st (Yager’s) Regiment Texas Cavalry. (Ref. 574) "In contrast to many Confederate organizations, Texans elected officers hardened by years of fighting Indians and bandits along an advancing frontier. The 1st Texas Cavalry’s commanders were unwavering, forceful men who exacted the very best performance from their subordinates." (Ref. 721) William O. Yager was a banker, politician, and Confederate officer who had been born in Virginia on April 3, 1833, one year after James. On April 15, 1861, he was appointed as adjutant and major for the First Regiment of Texas Mounted Rifles, also known as McCulloch’s Regiment. After Col. Buchel’s death, Yager was promoted to colonel and given command of the First Texas Cavalry Battalion, which he maintained until the end of the war. (Ref. 3235) “If most of the rank and file were common men of moderate means, a 93 majority
or the original captains on the other hand, were professional men of
somewhat greater wealth. Of the original twelve captains in the
First Texas, background information on ten of them was found.
There were three lawyers [like James], three physicians, one merchant,
one university president, one stockholder, and one planter’s son.” (Ref. 3342)
There were many times that the military regiments and units merged, changed, or came under new leadership. The following documents attached to the military files for James A. Ware show that he, indeed, served with Yager.
“Whenever
Union forces threatened to invade the state, they faced the resolute
1st Regiment of Texas Cavalry. Henry E. McCullough, Augustus
Buchel, and William O. Yager forged a cavalry unit that indisputably
helped keep Texas from suffering the ravages of war that visited other
states in the Confederacy.” (Ref. 721)
94 The citizens in Corpus Christi geared themselves up for more battles. At this time in James’ career, “Nolan’s
battalions had been stationed in and around Corpus Christi, at Banquet,
at San Patricio, and at the King Ranch. They had cooperated with
the regular Confederate forces on the Rio Grande and the Nueces,
expediting wagon caravans to and from Mexico, expelling bandits and
guerrillas, keeping the ways open, turning back renegades and
deserters, protecting convoys. They had also had bloody clashes
with Federal landing parties. On several occasions they had garrisoned
Corpus Christi in absence of regular troops. To them fell the
duty of protecting Corpus Christi after Bee’s withdrawal.”
(Ref. 3296)
The local newspaper, “The
Ranchero”, ran several articles concerning supplies and donations by
the townspeople. Dr. E. W. Britton, future brother-in-law to
James, was the author of some of these articles. He and James’
sister, Elizabeth Alexander Ware, would marry in March of 1864.
In March, James finally received
official news of the resolution of thanks for his service at The Battle
of Corpus Christi back in 1862. It must have been a very proud
time for all his family. (see below)
The following
resolution of thanks to the major-general commanding and those under
his command passed by both Houses of the Texas Legislature and approved
on March 6, 1863, is published for the information of the Army of
Texas:
(Bolding of letters done by Judy Ware for family history purposes) JOINT
RESOLUTION of thanks to General J. B. Magruder and others. RESOLUTION
1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas. That
the thanks of the Legislature are hereby tendered to General J. B.
Magruder and the officers and men under his command for the brilliant
victory which they gained over the Federalists at Galveston on the 1st
of January last. To Major O. M. Watkins and the officers and men
under his command for their gallant conduct at Sabine Pass and the
recapture of that fort and capturing the blockading vessels of the
enemy; and to Major Daniel Shea and the officers and men under his
command for their brave defense of the town of Lavaca; and to Major
Hobby and the officers and soldiers under his command for the repulse
of the enemy's attack on Corpus Christi, the commencement of our
success on the Texas coast; and to
96 Captains Ireland and Ware
and the officers and soldiers under their command for their exploit in
the capture of Captain Kittredge and his men near Corpus Christi; and
to Captains Ireland and Willke and the officers and soldiers under
their command for their good conduct in defeating the enemy's attempt
to capture one of our vessels and in capturing his barges in the Bay of
Corpus Christi; and to Capts. Santos Benavides and Refugio Benavides
and the officers and men under their command for their vigilance,
energy, and gallantry in pursuing and chastising the banditti infesting
the Rio Grande frontier.
RESOLUTION
2. That the Governor be requested to transmit a copy of these
resolutions to General J. B. Magruder and the other officers mentioned,
with the request that they make them known to the officers and men
under their command.
Approved March 6, 1863 THE STATE OF TEXAS,
Department of State: I, R. J. Townes, Secretary of State of the State of Texas, do hereby certify the above to be a true and correct copy of the original joint resolution as approved by the Governor, now on file in this department. In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and caused the seal of the State Department to be affixed, at Austin, this 12th March, 1863. [SEAL.] R. J. TOWNES, Secretary of State. These resolutions will on the day of their reception be read at the head of every regiment, battalion, and unattached company in the district. By order of Major-General Magruder: STEPHEN D. YANCEY, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General. March 6, 1863. 97 As the war progressed, it had
become even more obvious how useful the cavalry was with operations in
the field. “The American horseman learned to fight in running
campaigns, to ride for days without food, to fire a revolver from his
horse at full gallop, to fight on foot as well as on horseback, and to
sleep on the ground, head on saddle and reins in hand, read for instant
action.” (Ref. 3173) In May, to insure even better
performance, there were more changes in companies as they consolidated
to form a powerful regiment. The 1st (Yager’s) Regiment
Texas Cavalry was formed by the consolidation of the 3rd (Yager’s)
Battalion Texas Cavalry, the 8th (Taylor’s) Battalion Texas Cavalry,
and Captain Ware’s Company
Texas Cavalry. It was also known in the field as the 1st Regiment
Texas Mounted Rifles. As author, Stanley S. McGowen,
states; “On May 2, 1863, Taylor's company combined with Yager's 3rd battalion of cavalry and Capt. James A. Ware’s company of partisan rangers to reconstitute the 1st regiment of Texas cavalry." (Ref. 721)
The duties that James performed at this point in his career went far beyond just being a commander of a cavalry unit – which (in, and of itself) was demanding and difficult. In addition, “Ware administered the local cotton trade and secreted a large number of cotton bales for shipment south to exchange for military supplies available across the Rio Grande. (Ref. 721) He continued to scout and be engaged in active battles with his cavalry unit - assisting his friend and superior, Major Matt Nolan. On March 13, both men played a major role in the Battle of San Patricio. For a long time, the men in
Nolan’s unit had been trying to locate a captain of a Mexican company
of 100 men, named Cecilio Balerio, who was elusive, daring, and a thorn
in the side of the Confederacy. In early March, Balerio’s son
(who worked as a spy for this father) was captured in Corpus
Christi. He was tried before a military court and condemned to
die, but Nolan offered him a deal. If the 19-year old boy would
lead them to his father’s camp, he could go free. At first he did
not agree, but the fear of going before a firing squad weakened his
resolve. “Jose was placed on a
mustang, his feet ingloriously tied underneath and his hands lashed to
the pommel. All that day he rode into the southwest at the head
of 62 men in Nolan’s cavalcade. [This detail was under Captain Ware,
Cater, Taylor, and Richardson.] Still the grim party pushed on
through the trackless wild, Jose in the lead, behind him a cavalryman
with pistol drawn – under orders to shoot the boy at the first sign of
treachery.” (Ref. 3296) They came upon the camp and a fierce battle was fought. (See below for details)
“Major Nolan then learned that the Federals had landed a force of 93
men at the Oso, engaged in loading cotton. He brought his force
to the vicinity of Corpus Christi and sent to Captain Ware for reinforcements.”(Ref. 3296)
The following excerpt from Horse Sweat and Powder Smoke – the 1st Texas Cavalry in the Civil War,
written by Stanley S. McGowen, gives a fascinating portrayal of the
events that took place at the Battle of San Patricio on March 13 -18,
1863. "A heavy skirmish took place on March 13 near the city of San Patricio, in San Patricio County, involving Capt. James Ware’s company. The company bivouacked at Camp San Fernando near Corpus Christi and patrolled from there. Ware
also maintained a series of pickets and lookouts on Live Oak Point near
Corpus Christi. . . . The burden of managing the cotton, however,
did not dissuade Ware from
leading his troops in the field. On March 13, he led a detachment
of his men as a component of a larger force commanded by Maj. Matthew
Nolan. The combined units discovered a force of enemy cavalry
camped in thick mesquite brush. After a sharply contested battle,
about fifteen minutes in length, the Confederate Cavalry completely
routed the enemy. Nolan estimated the enemy force at 125, "well
armed with burn-side carbines, revolvers, and sabers." Nolan
commanded only sixty-two men, most of whom were
99 indifferently
armed. "The enemy charged with about eighty men" and "fought
gallantly," being repulsed only "after a desperate fight and after a
loss of much blood and property." According to Nolan, Ware and his men "acted with conspicuous gallantry" and "behaved coolly and bravely." An indeterminate number of Ware’s
men received wounds in the skirmish and were forced to remain in a camp
in the brush until well enough to be transferred to a hospital in
Corpus Christi." (Ref. 721)
The following official report was given by Major Mat Nolan to Col. John S. Ford:
MARCH 13, 1864 - Skirmish at Los Patricios, Texas Detachments from Wares, Caters, Taylors, Scotts, Richardsons, and T~tes companies . . . . The loss of the enemy must have been severe. Five dead bodies were found in the mesquital, but from the trails seen, showing that men had been dragged off when wounded, and pools of blood discovered, it is almost certain that at least 12 or 15 were killed or wounded. A large number of their horses were left on the ground either killed or wounded. Captain Ware, of Colonel Buchels regiment, Captains Cater, Taylor, and Richardson commanded detachments from their respective companies, and acted with conspicuous gallantry. The men behaved coolly and bravely. I have the honor to be, Colonel, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, MAT. NOLAN, Major, Provisional Army, C. S., Commanding. Col. JOHN S. FORD, Commanding Expeditionary Forces, P. A., C. S., San Antonio Colonel Ford had requested earlier
for 200 bales of cotton in order to get funds for his expedition.
His traveling route was down to the Nueces near to Corpus Christi and
on to Camp San Fernando. It was here that “he found Major Nolan and Captain Ware
in charge of the troops. There were a great many bales of cotton
secreted between the Nueces and the Rio Grande which were hunted up by
Colonel
100 Ford’s men and turned over to the officers there.” (Ref. 3308)
A military post was on San Fernando Creek which helped guard this
export-import route that ran from the Sabine River in East Texas to the
Rio Grande. The Confederates were vigilant to protect the “ever-increasing
flood of wagons and of carts on their way to the Mexican border with
cotton to be exported on European ships. They came in such
numbers that the Allentown to Brownsville trail was called the cotton
road.” (Ref. 1008)
There was much military activity
between San Fernando, Banquete, and San Patricio. Banquete was a
small town located about nine miles south of San Patricio and seven
miles west of Robstown. “A detachment of Confederate troops under James Ware
-- and later Mat Nolan -- camped on the San Fernando near Banquete,
there to guard this important stopping place on the Cotton Road.”
(Ref. 761) It was here at Banquete, . . . “ west of Corpus
Christi, where long trains of wagons and oxcarts passed day and night,
some going south loaded with cotton, others going north loaded with war
material.
The following Historical Marker explains the importance of the Cotton Road and the surrounding towns that guarded it:
“Banquete
was a busy, clamorous place, with the Byington Hotel, saloon, stables,
and supply stores all on the sound side of Banquete Creek.” (Ref. 573, 761, 3282)
James and the rest of his men spent most of their time in the saddle –
scouting in this area on the Cotton Road and accompanying “the
slow-moving wagon trains -- which made about eight miles a day --
crossed the Big Sands, an ordeal of searing heat, with no shade trees
and no water.” (Ref. 761) It was grueling work and “from
Banquete, the next major stop was King Ranch headquarters on the Santa
Gertrudis. . . . From King Ranch, the Cotton Road went due south to the
Rio Grande near Brownsville (the route shifted west after Brownsville
was captured by Union forces).” (Ref. #3282)
Only two days after the bloody
encounter at San Patricio, on March 15, 1863, the war took a much more
personal turn for James when “several
of Bee’s Confederates crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico and captured
Edmund J. Davis and four other Texas Unionists who were recruiting
Tejanos and Confederate deserters into the Union Army. Davis, who
had served as a state judge in South Texas prior to the war, had been
at one time a close friend of the Benavides family as well as of
General Bee.” (Ref. 3347)
Before the war had begun, James’
sister, Elizabeth Alexander Ware, came to Texas to visit him.
While there, she fell in love with Dr. Edward Wharton Britton and the
two were subsequently married. Edward (or Ned) was the twin
brother of Lizzie Britton who was the wife of E. J. Davis.
Therefore, Mrs. Davis was the sister-in-law of James’ sister,
Elizabeth. This was one of the clear examples of how the Civil
War divided families. Ned fought for the South and his sister’s
loyalties were with the North. When the Confederates captured Davis in
Mexico, Lizzie Britton “begged them
not to murder him, reminding them that she was the daughter of a
respected Confederate and had a brother fighting for the Southern
cause. In response to her pleading, the soldiers took Davis away
alive.” (Ref. 1053)
After the war ended, Bessie Ware
Britton found herself back in Virginia as a widow with a young
baby. Dr. Britton had passed away from yellow fever, and Davis
served for one term (1870-1874) as the 14th Governor of Texas, with
Lizzie Davis as the First Lady of Texas. Davis was not well liked
by most Texans after the war. “The
post Civil War period in Nueces County witnessed a virtual reign of
terror in outlawry and brigandage in the area. During the years
of the Davis administration, lawlessness in the county reached a height
not experienced since its earliest day of settlement.” (Ref. 2601) As author, Murphy Givens, wrote in one of his articles,
“Edmund Jackson Davis, a Corpus Christi judge who was a brigadier
general in the Civil War on the Union side, became the most despised
politician in Texas history.” (Ref. 3282) After the war, some family relationships simply could not be reconciled.
104 Toward the end of the month, on March 26, James’ unit “left
Camp San Fernando . . . four companies under Major Nolan were left near
Corpus Christi to protect his left flank and supply lines.” (Ref. 1008) With the continuation of the war, it became even more obvious how useful the cavalry was with operations in the field.
In May, there were more changes
made in military companies as they consolidated in order to maximize
the effectiveness of the cavalry. The 1st (Yager’s) Regiment
Texas Cavalry was formed by the consolidation of the 3rd (Yager’s)
Battalion Texas Cavalry, the 8th (Taylor’s) Battalion Texas Cavalry,
and Captain Ware’s Company
Texas Cavalry. It was also known in the field as the 1st Regiment
Texas Mounted Rifles. As author Stanley S. McGowen states, “On May 2, 1863, Taylor's company combined with Yager's 3rd battalion of cavalry and Capt. James A. Ware’s company of partisan rangers to reconstitute the 1st regiment of Texas cavalry." (Ref. 721)
The 1st Texas Cavalry became well known for its service and reputation. “They
were a brave and patriotic body of men – a part of that great army
which became a legend for valor and endurance that won battles against
heavy odds.” (Ref. 3173) Its leaders, “Henry E. McCullough, Augustus Buchel, and William O. Yager … stood in
105 strong
contrast to the lackadaisical commanders who allowed theirmen to
disregard regulations they deemed too restrictive. McCullough,
Buchel, and Yager were strong-willed, dedicated men who demanded
discipline and 'gentlemanly behavior' from their troops.” (Ref. 721)
 On May 28th,
General Bee granted James another furlough to visit home. He did
not have to return to duty until June 4th. It had been
approximately six months since Jane had seen her husband, and James
must have been surprised by how much the children had grown. By
this time, baby Somerville would have been walking and talking!
Roster for Company “F” showing James Ware |
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