Private Joseph Hansdrough Brown, or Joe as his mama used to call him, slogged through the Louisiana swamp. A sloppy place to be. Mud on and moss on everything. His skinny body of 32 years old had fought off the Louisiana swamp diseases all had fought thru except that one constant with feverish constant diarrhea. His butthole was as raw as red meat and clean water weren’t no way near. But the air in the swamp lands was thick with morning dogs and humidity and the buzzing of unseen insects, always clung to him like a shroud. Sweat, acrid and salty, stung his eyes. His boots, already heavy with mud, squelched with every step. He’d come a good ways from when he and some fellow recruits from Coryell County, Texas joined to fight at Waco, Texas. He didn’t have a Horse and got to ride one a whole mile on a Horse that a fellow recruit shared with fellow recruits, but we all mostly walked all the way from Gatesville to Waco. Most of us had no shoes. Several companies from Coryell County volunteered for duty in the Confederate Army or to help protect frontier settlers from Indians.
His mind often times thought back to Coryell County that the men from there actually were fighting in two Wars during the Civil War. Ones with Indians and the other against the Union Army. Battles took place against both. Winter in Indian or Settler Land was a mean existence that cost people fingers or toes.
But now, his mind was abruptly yanked back to-
The rhythmic, sucking sounds were the only companions in the oppressive silence anytime they marched. Gone were the raucous calls of birds or the playful chatter of squirrels that had greeted him on his journey south. Here, life seemed to hold its breath, a tense anticipation that mirrored the knot of dread tightening in Joe’s gut. Gut Knots affecting all soldiers on both sides. And seeing the faces of those he fought against would long take hold on his mind for generations afterwards until his death in 1910.
The Battle of Bayou Bourbeux wasn’t anything grand, uit didn’t carry the fanfare of big battles like Gettysburg would one day carry, no President would ever visit here, not like the stories the recruiters spun back home. But men would be killed during this battle here. Legs and arms would be lost from rifle fire carrying the 12 gauge size steel balls. No glorious charges led by horseback generals, no booming cannons splitting the sky. Just oppressive heat that stole the breath from his lungs, the ever-present threat of disease that hung heavy in the stagnant air, and the gnawing hunger that never left his gut, a constant ache that mocked the thin gruel they called rations. Even worms and grub bugs were eaten and snakes and swamp squirrels and rabbits and alligators.
Joe clutched his worn musket, its wood slick with sweat and grime. He wasn’t a soldier by choice. He’d left his farm in the rolling hills of Gatesville to follow his brother and other kinfolk, hoping to keep an eye on him. Now, William lay pale and feverish back at camp, another victim of the swamp’s relentless fever.
A twig snapped in the distance. The sound, sharp and sudden, pierced the oppressive silence. Joe’s heart hammered in his chest. Every rustle, every shadow, held the potential for danger. He wasn’t scared of Yankee bullets, not exactly. It was the uncertainty, the constant waiting for the storm to break, the feeling of being a target in a vast, unknowable wilderness.
Suddenly, a ragged cheer rose from along our front. We Confederates were charging. Relief washed over Joe, even as a fresh wave of trepidation followed as they all ran. He hated the fighting. The screams that echoed through the cypress trees, the lifeless eyes staring sightlessly back, the metallic tang of blood that mingled with the thick humidity – it all turned his stomach. The taste of burn gunpowder in your mouth and burning in your eyes. The musket rifle fire waa a smell unlike any he’d ever known with so many firing at the same time. Tgen Joe, he almost fainted but caught himself from over excitement his body could not control. Then he wondered, had they all stood and fired or ran and fired and then stood still and fired. He’s confused as many Soldiers become confused by small details.
The Yankees weren’t expecting the attack. The initial charge sent them scrambling, their surprised shouts swallowed by the chaos. Our Confederate Wild Animal Screams set a hook into anybody that heard us. You could see the fear in their faces. But then, a hail of gunfire ripped through the air, the sharp crack of musket fire punctuated by the dull boom of cannons. Joe found himself firing his musket blindly, the stench of gunpowder stinging his nostrils. The world narrowed to the sights, the squeeze of the trigger, the agonizing wait for the deafening boom that threatened to split his skull. Smoke choked the air, blurring friend from foe. It was all God Awful Hell.
Chaos erupted. Men yelled orders that were swallowed by the din. The once pristine line of battle dissolved into a swirling vortex of smoke and shadows. Joe stumbled back, his breath ragged, his ears ringing. He tripped, landing hard on the muddy ground. A searing pain shot through his ankle, a white-hot spike that stole his breath. He tasted blood in his mouth but didn’t know where it came from. He couldn’t stop to see what it was. Fear, anger, disbelief pushed him on. He never thought it would be like any of this. They all laughed and jokes and slapped each other as they marched to Waco to join in all of the Civil War. But there weren’t nothing civil about it. Should’ve called it the War from Hell. Hell’s Gates would’ve been a better name.
Disoriented, he looked around. The battle had moved on, we Confederates, our yelling suddenly replaced by a chilling silence that felt even more terrifying. He was alone, wounded, and lost in the treacherous swamp. Panic clawed at his throat. He could almost hear the mocking calls of unseen birds, the swamp itself seeming to relish his fear. He suddenly noticed a piece of tree wood stuck in his cheek. The wood, a piece tgat came from a Yankee Cannon Round exploding against a tree 50 feet away. Yet, there it was, stuck in his mouth. Joe now knew where the blood taste came from.
Tears welled up in his eyes, a stark contrast to the grime that streaked his face. He thought of his mama’s apple pie, the sweet scent of honeysuckle that filled their porch swing back home. A sob escaped his lips, raw and desperate. But he choked to hold it. He knew others would see. But he saw others doing the same or looking in a weird bewildering kind of way for just having survived.
In an old house in Gatesville,Texas here is Confederate Soldier’s Brown’s Civil War Rifle belonging to J.H. Brown
Then, he saw movement. A figure emerged from the haze, a blue uniform a stark contrast to the brown and grey of us Confederate soldiers. Joe braced himself, his hand instinctively reaching for his musket. But the figure lowered its weapon. It was a young Yankee soldier, barely out of of diapers and stuck in his teens, fear etched on his face that mirrored Joe’s own. Joe knew instantly the kid didn’t had no fight in him, would be stayed home back in New York or taken money to enlist for some scripted rich Person’s son. But there the lad was.
Neither of them spoke at first. Then Joe told him to run and go home if he wanted to see his mamma again. And the kid turned and ran like the Devil was chasing him. Joe thought maybe the kid would run all the way back to New York, but Joe didn’t know how far New York was away from where they were. They had just stared at each other, two caught in a storm they didn’t understand. In that moment, the enemy wasn’t a nameless face, but another soul lost in the madness of political posturing that caused the War in the first place.
The Yankee soldier had disappeared back into the swamp, the tall cypress trees swallowing him whole. Joe watched him go, a flicker of something he couldn’t quite define stirring within him. Maybe it was understanding, or perhaps a sliver of hope amidst the despair. Or a wish he’d ran too. But maybe he was just too old to run. He was now an Old 32.
He knew he wouldn’t forget this battle, not the grand strategy discussed by officers he didn’t know, but the fear, the loneliness, the searing pain in his ankle with every throbbing pulse. He would carry these memories, a constant reminder of the true cost of war, a cost far too high for any patch of land or fleeting glory. He was here, but not for nothing that included slavery. He and all his kinfolk saw folks back home that had a few slaves but not no Brown Families. Joe’s family was dirt poor. Home had a dirt floor. His feet were heavy calluses from walking bare foot. The folks of Waco, Texas put shoes on his feet. The first pair he’d had in eleven years.
But tonight, he closed his eyes, the swamp sounds returning, a lullaby of buzzing insects and croaking frogs and squirrels and all manner of bird calls. He knew only one thing-he had to get back Home. Home, a place he understood. This War, he was convinced was both nothing he understood, but people sure are dying in It, being crippled in all kinds of manner way. Everyday, Joe said this-no matter how bad I got it, someone else got it worse.
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The Peace Fountain celebrating the End to the Civil War and the Ending of Slavery
Another Celebrating the End of the Civil War and End to Slavery
15th Infantry Regiment was organized during the spring of 1862 using the 1st (Speight’s) Texas Infantry Battalion as its nucleus. Most of the men were recruited at Waco, Gatesville, Galveston, Milford, and Palestine. The unit was assigned to Randal’s, King’s, and J.E. Harrison’s Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, and was involved in various conflicts in Louisiana. It reported 7 killed, 22 wounded, and 5 missing in the engagement at Bayou Bourbeau. Later it moved to Shreveport, then Hempstead, Texas, and in March, 1865, contained 20 officers and 301 men. The regiment disbanded in May. It was commanded by Colonels James E. Harrison, and J.W. Speight, and Lieutenant Colonel John W. Daniel.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_Texas_Infantry_Regiment
The 15th Texas Infantry Regiment was a unit of volunteers recruited in Texas that fought in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. The regiment organized in early 1862 and throughout the war served west of the Mississippi River in the Trans-Mississippi Department. In October 1863, the unit was assigned to a brigade led by the French aristocrat Prince Camille de Polignac. The 15th Texas Infantry fought at Stirling’s Plantation and Bayou Bourbeux in 1863 and Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and Yellow Bayou in 1864. The regiment disbanded in May 1865, though the formal surrender date was 26 May 1865.
What jumps into your mind when you hear the two words-Civil War. The American Civil War? And then one say, you find out you are the great, great, great grandson of a Private who fought in the Civil War? And for the Confederacy? And what you think now? To remain Quiet or to let others know?
SILENCE has caused the Greatest amount of problems in America than Speaking Out. By always remaining Silent, others believe that they have the right to run all over you.
The Battle of Bayou Bourbeux, also known by several other names, was a skirmish fought during the American Civil War. Here’s a summary:
- Date: November 3, 1863
- Location: Southwestern Louisiana, west of Grand Coteau (St. Landry Parish)
- Combatants: Confederate forces under Brigadier General Thomas Green vs. Union forces under Brigadier General Stephen G. Burbridge
Background: This battle was part of a series of failed attempts by Union Major General Nathaniel P. Banks to capture Texas.
- The Battle: Green’s surprise attack overwhelmed Burbridge’s Union troops, who were spread out and unprepared. The Federals suffered heavy casualties and were forced to retreat.
Outcome:
- Union Casualties: Reportedly 26 killed, 124 wounded, and 566 captured or missing.
- Confederate Casualties: Admitted to 22 killed and 103 wounded.
- Significance: Though a minor battle, the Confederate victory forced the Union to be more cautious in future engagements.
Here are some additional details you might find interesting:
- The battle is also referred to as the Battle of Grand Coteau, Battle of Boggy Creek, or the Battle of Carrion Crow Bayou (Carencro Bayou).
- Lieutenant William Marland of the 2nd Massachusetts Battery received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery during this fight.
- You can find a historical marker commemorating the battle near the intersection of LA 754 and LA 182 west of Sunset, Louisiana.
- Silence: Only Guarantees a 2nd One. Increases the ability of the Crazies to alter History.
In 1861, who had Slaves in Coryell County, Texas? Click on Below-
https://www.texasgenweb.org/coryell/earlytax1.htm
1861 TAX RECORDS
These are 1861 tax records for Coryell County. Instead of the large books that
most things were recorded in, these are in a narrow book in which the pages are
4 1/2" wide. These records are transcribed as nearly exactly as written,
including about 10 different spellings of miscellaneous. After each entry of
"Inventory of" the person giving the information signs and then it says "sworn
to and subscribed by me, J.P.Key, Deputy Assessor and Collector". And That is
under Every entry! Also every male of adult age had to pay a Poll Tax, women
did not have to pay, at this time they were not allowed to vote.
A. M. Armstrong Inventory
1 horse $125.00
11 Cattle 66.00
Misc. prop 300.00
1 poll
Sworn to and subscribed by me J.P.Key, Dept Ass. & Col.
_______________________________
Jas.H.Armstrong 160 A. K.Hicks $1300.00
1 horse 100.00
200 cattle 1200.00
1 poll
William Armstrong
J.P.Key, Dept.
________________________________
Jno Armstrong 320 A Johnathan Diltz $1200.00
80 A Jno Armstrong 80.00
2 negros 1400.00
5 horses 300.00
40 cattle 200.00
missellaneaus prop 70.00
1 poll total 3250.00
____________________________________
Agent for A. Flanary
1 negro $600.00
85 Horses 2975.00
30 cattle 150.00
1 Poll
Agent for F.P.Miller
50 A M.W.Loving $640.00
1 Poll
Agent for Wm.M.Arwood
1 horse $ 50.00
3 cattle 26.00
Poll
John Armstrong
sworn to & subscribed before me
J.P.Key
__________________________________
Inventory by
N. Arowood
guaranty by T.S.Alford
30 horses $140.00
80 cattle 480.00
Miss prop 65.00
1 Poll
T.S.Alford
__________________________________
Inventory
S.F.Adams
102 A C Casanoba $1500.00
2 town lots N3.4 B 5 225.50
7 negroes 4000.00
10 horses 500.00
300 cattle 1500.00
miss prop 60.00
1 Poll
G.F.Adams
_______________________________
Inventory of
A.D.Arowood
20 A E.Norton $ 30.00
99 1/2 Elias Marshal 500.00
157 A. Arocha 110.00
10 horses 600.00
30 cattle 150.00
1 Poll
A.D.Arowood
_________________________________
Inventory by
Masgin Alexander
160 A M.Alexander $300.00
177 A J.D.Webb Falls Co. 177.00
4 horses 200.00
100 cattle 500.00
1 Poll
M.S.Alexander
________________________________
Inventory by
E.R. & E.L.Ashby
320 A W. H. Lester $640.00
2 negroes 1400.00
8 horses 320.00
Agent for H.D.Ashby
E.R.Ashby
____________________________
Inventory Rendered by
T.P.Bynum
11 horses $900.00
35 cattle 210.00
T.P.Bynum
______________________________
Inventory of
Jasper Blair
1 Poll
Jasper Blair
________________________________
Inventory by
Washington Boyd
11 Horses $660.00
118 cattle 590.00
misselaneous prop 60.00
1 Poll
Washington Boyd
____________________________
Inventory of
Josiah Cox
2 horses $180.00
80 cattle 400.00
1 Poll
Josiah Cox
_______________________________
Inventory by
N.G.Buchanan
140 A Washington, Robertson $350.00
10 horses 200.00
175 cattle 875.00
1 Poll
N.G.Buchanan
_____________________________________
Inventory by
Henry Boyd
1 negro $1000.00
7 Horses 550.00
60 cattle 360.00
money at int 40.00
misselaneous prop 795.
1 Poll
Henry Boyd
_________________________________
Inventory by
J.J.Boyd
40 A Thos Bertrong $380.00
2 horses 75.00
9 cattle 45.00
1 Poll
Michael Boyd
________________________________
Inventory by
Jno. Black
100 A. Washington, Robertson $150.00
100 cattle 500.00
1 Poll
Jno. Black
_________________________________
Inventory by
Washington Beardin
2 horses $125.00
14 cattle 60.00
misselaneous prop 55.00
1 Poll
Washington Beardin
_________________________________
Inventory by
Alx Beard
1 Poll
Alx Beard
_______________________________
Inventory by
J.H.Burnan
4 Horse $200.00
50 cattle 285.00
1 Poll
Agent for E. Birch
800 cattle $4400.00
J.H.Burnan
______________________________
Inventory by
Able Blackwell
1 Poll
Able Blackwell
____________________________
Inventory by
D.M.Blackwell
320 A Ezardh Moor $640.00
D.N.Blackwell
______________________________
Inventory by
Wm.Bever
40 a Mathis davidson $40.00
1 Poll
Wm. Bever
_________________________
Inventory by
Luandy Bata
280 A Mathis Davidson $280.00
6 horses 180.00
40 cattle 200.00
missellaneous prop 20.00
Anlinda(?) Beaty
________________________________
S.R.Baily
30 cattle $150.00
missellaneous propt 85.00
1 Poll
S. R. Baily
_____________________________
Inventory by
J Basel
25 A Brown
50 A Joseph Jiles $300.00
3 horses 200.00
missellaneouss prop 25.00
1 Poll
____________________________________
Inventory by
B.J.Basel & Co
56 horses $1400.00
money at interest 450.00
misselaneous prop 125.00
1 Poll
A.J.Bassel
__________________________________
Inventory of
L.Bean
80 A H H Hicks $400.00
11 horses 715.00
40 cattle 250.00
misselaneous prop 90.00
1 Poll
A.M.Armstrong agt for L.Bean
_____________________________________
Inventory by
T.W.Beard
160 A T.W.Beard $ 160.00
miss prop 285.00
1 Poll
T.W.Beard
____________________________________
Inventory by
W. L. Baugh
160 A W.L.Baugh $ 920.00
1 Horse 75.00
125 Cattle 625.00
58 Sheep 174.00
1 Poll
W.L.Baugh
___________________________________
Inventory by
N.Brown
217 A Bisell $1200.00
1 horse 40.00
50 cattle 250.00
misselanieus prop 90.00
1 Poll
Nimrod Brown
__________________________________
Inventory by
Jno.M.Brown
6 horses $150.00
55 cattle 275.00
misslaneous prop 6.00
1 Poll
Agent for
E.B.Rosson
2 horses $100.00
75 cattle 375.00
John M. Brown
_____________________________________
Inventory by
John Q Butler
50 A W.W.Loveny $ 75.00
1 Poll
J.C.Butler by Thomas Warren
______________________________________
Inventory by
G.W.Beard
160 A T.W.Beard $160.00
mis prop 65.00
1 Poll
G.W.Beard
________________________________________
Inventory by
W.L.Baugh
190 A Jno R. Clute in Rusk Co. $380.00
3 horses 250.00
175 cattle 875.00
90 sheep 270.00
1 Poll
Agent for
N.B.Noris
575 sheep $1437.00
W.L.Baugh
_____________________________________
Inventory by
Wm & Hugh Batey
320 A L Eaves $ 720.00
7 negroes 2100.00
9 Horses 225.00
100 cattle 500.00
Land Cirtificate 320 A 160
money at int 1000.00
2 Polls
Hugh Baty
Wm. Baty
______________________________________
Inventory by
J. C. Cook
Negroes 3 $1800.00
Inventory by
Cook & Garrard
2 1/2 Land #1000.00
Inventory by
H.W.Cook
160 A Bissel $ 200.00
68 cattle 340.00
1 Poll
________________________________________
Inventory by
Sam Coleman
8 horses $ 200.
1 Poll
Samuel Coleman
______________________________________
Property by
W.D.Clark
Land 320 A N.C.Neibling $2000.00
Land 617 A Benj. Smith 1600.00
Land 6 1/4 A M.W.Loving 15.00
Land 80 A Anthony Clark 160.00
Slaves 3 1500.00
Horses 20 1250.00
Cattle 80 480.00
money at Interest 130.00
Misullaneous property 800.00
1 White Poll 7935.00
W.D.Clark
Sworn to and Subscribed before me
J.P.Key
Deputy Assessor and Collector
_________________________________________
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Find Peace in your Heart. Seek love and kindness. Accept what took place in America and be glad you did not have to fight in it. Any Civil War in America Today would be a Total Disaster. Millions would die and starvation would kill millions as well.
Other Countries would send their Troops and ANNEX You. Russia would ANNEX Alaska. Mexico would ANNEX Texas. Don’t guess about it. Make sure it NEVER Happens!
thelivingbreathingjamesbrown.com 
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