Iowa’s Confederate General

General Lawrence Sullivan ‘Sul’ Ross, CSA, was born in Bentonsport, Iowa, Van Buren County on September 27, 1838. His family moved to Texas in 1839, where he grew to manhood. In 1859, Sul Ross was commissioned a Captain in the Texas Rangers, fought Comanches, rescued Cynthia Ann Parker, mother of Quanah Parker, and in 1861 enlisted as a Private in the 6th Texas Cavalry CSA. He rose rapidly through the ranks to become Brigadier General of the 6th Texas Cavalry and later brigade commander in Jackson’s Division, Forrest’s Cavalry Corps. Sul Ross took part in 135 battles, including Elkhorn Tavern, Corinth, and the Atlanta and Franklin-Nashville campaigns. He returned to Texas after the Civil War and served as Sheriff of McLennan County, Texas, Governor of Texas from 1887 to 1891, and President of Texas A&M University from 1891 until his death in 1898. He was remembered as a frontiersman, soldier, statesman, and educator; a native son of Iowa and adopted son of Texas.

Iowa · United States