General John W. Whitfield

Born in Tennessee, John W. Whitfield became a legislator, went to Missouri in 1853, served as Indian agent in Kansas Territory, and represented Kansas in the U.S. Congress from 1854 to 1857. He moved to Texas before the Civil War and in 1861 organized a Lavaca County company for the C.S.A. He led the 4th Battalion Texas Cavalry at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, was wounded at the battle of Iuka, Mississippi, while leading his legion, and was made brigadier general in 1863 before leaving command because of ill health in the fall of that year. He later served as a Lavaca County delegate to the Texas Constitutional Conventions of 1866 and 1875. Whitfield's Legion originated with the cavalry company he organized in Lavaca County in 1861, joined C.S.A. troops in Missouri in an effort to put Missouri and Kansas in the Confederacy, became part of the 4th Battalion Texas Cavalry at the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862, and was organized as the 27th Texas Cavalry Regiment, commonly called Whitfield's Legion, in April 1862. Soon dismounted and sent to reinforce General Beauregard at Corinth, Mississippi, it rendered valorous service at the Battle of Iuka in September 1862, suffering 106 killed and wounded in a successful charge against an artillery battery, protected the retreating C.S.A. army at Hatchie River, fought at Spring Hill, Mississippi, in March 1863, and after being remounted became part of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade commanded by Whitfield. The brigade defeated Federal forces at Messinger's Ferry, Mississippi, in July 1863, and after Whitfield's retirement General "Sul" Ross assumed command and the brigade gained renown as Ross' Texas Brigade.

Hallettsville, Texas · United States