Character is not unique to individuals. Several units that participated in our country's civil war
demonstrated distinctive personalities by their conduct in the face of conflict and crisis. Much has
been written on the role of localism in a unit's experience regarding dedication, discipline and
desertion. But, what about the effects of a lack of homogeneity within a unit? Are the effects just
as pronounced in a negative fashion? A careful study of a multifarious unit plagued by many
internal difficulties may answer this question. Was diversity linked with disunity?
A unit that fits the definition of a diverse group of men united under a common cause is the First
Texas Field Battery of Light Artillery. Though the battery did experience unmistakable success, a
cohesiveness was not present that many amalgamated units shared. This essay attempts to
identify the unique military and personal experiences of this battery and its members by
investigating the levels of dedication, discipline, and desertion in relation to its diversity.
It is important to first illustrate the battery's military experiences through a brief history of its
service. The unit originated in early November of 1860 when Captain William Edgar established
the company, and became the commander. The unit consisted of a loose band of volunteers from
the San Antonio area, which Captain Edgar formed into an independent company.(1) By early
February of 1861, this group was called into service by the Texas Committee of Public Safety as
a uniformed company consisting of less than fifty men.(2) The Committee of Public Safety quickly
moved to utilize the Texas troops in neutralizing the United States garrison dispersed across
Texas with an estimated strength of some 2,800 men. The confiscation of Federal supplies and
munitions was an important component of the mission bestowed upon the state troops. One
important target was the United States Military Headquarters for Texas located in San Antonio.(3)
The Texas commissioners issued orders to Colonel Ben McCulloch to lead a force of Texas
volunteers into the city and to seize the federal property. On the afternoon of February 15, 1861,
Captain Edgar's company united with McCulloch's troops at the periphery of San Antonio and
awaited action. Early the next morning, the armed Texans marched in and occupied the city
streets. The outnumbered Federal garrison, commanded by Major General D. E. Twiggs,
peacefully surrendered the federal buildings and arsenal to the state troops.(4) On February 18,
Twiggs called for the delivery of all possessions of military or federal property to the State
Commissioners of Public Safety and ordered the evacuation of all federal garrisons within the
state.(5)
Following the peaceful victory, the majority of McCulloch's force disbanded and returned to their
homes. However, Edgar's company was assigned the duty of guarding the property of the
"Arsenal-Alamo & Commissary Depots" by the Public Safety Commission. It was during the
fulfillment of this assignment that the battery earned the nickname "Alamo City Guards."(6) The
unit continued in this capacity until April 20, 1861, when Colonel Earl Van Dorn called the
company into Confederate service under the name of "Edgar's Company 'A', Texas Light
Artillery" as an independent company attached to "McCulloch's Regiment of Texas Cavalry"
under the command of the Military Department of Texas.(7) The company strength had been
reduced to about sixty men, who signed one year enlistments into Confederate service. The
battery received an issue of four guns and ample ammunition seized at San Antonio.(8) Two days
later Captain Edgar was ordered to lead his unit on a march to Powderhorn.
During this march, the Battery received orders to return to San Antonio and prepare for the
disarming of Federal troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Reeve.(9) Edgar and
the battery joined the forces commanded by Van Dorn near Castroville. The combined force
numbered nearly 1400 men. Late on the night of the 8th of May, Reeve moved his forces to the
area near Adam's Hill and San Lucas Springs, fearing an attack by Van Dorn. The Federal forces
had dwindled considerably during their marches, down to about 270 men, and were greatly
outnumbered by Van Dorn's troops. Yet, Reeve insisted he was not willing to surrender and was
prepared to "fight them three to one." Following a series of negotiations, Reeve sent First
Lieutenant Zenas Bliss to count the Confederate numbers. After the lieutenant's return, Reeve
hastily surrendered his forces.(10)
Following the battery's second successful and peaceful operation, Captain Edgar received orders
to prepare the unit for action in northeastern Texas. The battery set up camps along the road
between San Antonio and Dewitt county, near the Coleto Creek.(11) At these locations, Captain
Edgar began a recruitment campaign, attempting to establish his company strength at one hundred
men. Prior to reaching this goal, the battery was ordered to report to the junction of the Ouachita
and Red Rivers. Upon arrival, the unit was then ordered to report to Harrisburg, Texas on
Buffalo Bayou, by a route passing through Dallas County. Throughout the march, Edgar
continued his recruiting attempts, conscripting men from all across the state. The battery reached
Harrisburg and remained there until September of 1861. At this point, the battery was ordered to
report to Galveston, where Captain Edgar directed the construction of winter quarters.(12) During
this time, Captain Edgar began attempts to increase the quality and quantity of supplies and guns
for the battery. By October, the battery had six guns (four complete with caissons) and had
secured ample horses for the transport of the artillery.(13) Captain Edgar also intensified his
recruiting attempts, requesting the appointments of two more officers and advancement for an
additional sergeant and two corporals.(14) Galveston Island also served as the location for intensive
training of new and old recruits on the science of artillery. Captain Edgar had gained recognition
in the Mexican War for his bravery and was regarded as an extremely capable teacher in artillery
skills.(15)
Though recruiting efforts continued, the battery continued to exist well under the required number
of men into the year 1862.(16) In February, the battery was in the First Brigade of the Texas
Volunteer Forces. As plans for his battery were being decided, Captain Edgar began to realize
that the numbers of conscripts were not sufficient to ensure its continuance. A further
complication arose as the original twelve-month enlistments neared expiration on April 21, 1862.
By late March, Captain Edgar's fears were realized as the men of the battery remained reluctant to
reenlist.(17) Captain Edgar requested, and was granted, a twenty-day leave of absence in order to
return to San Antonio and acquire new recruits.(18) In early April, the battery was ordered to
report to Brigadier General T. N. Waul and serve as his Legion's artillery company. The Legion
spent some time at Camp Lubbock,(19) but ultimately set up quarters at Camp Waul.(20) At the
camp, Edgar began to experience success in the reenlistment of his men by providing furloughs
and bounties. The battery was again shifted to another command in the Fall of 1862. Brigadier
General Henry McCulloch had received orders to organize a division under the Trans-Mississippi
Department to serve in Texas and Louisiana. The division was formed at Camp Nelson,(21) with
four brigades, each with its own battery of light artillery. Edgar's Battery had arrived in camp by
September and was placed in the Third Brigade. The brigade commander was General
McCulloch, who was relieved by Major General John G. Walker as the division commander in
late 1862. In November, the division left Camp Nelson and began a difficult march into the area
of Little Rock, Arkansas.(22)
Following several marches and countermarches in the Little Rock region, orders were given to
move toward the Arkansas Post. At the post, winter camp was established on the west bank of the
Arkansas River. The division was forced to endure the cruel "winter in its most savage mood," at
this camp, fittingly called "Camp Freeze Out."(23) The division abandoned this camp early in 1863,
and moved back into the area of Pine Bluff. At these camps Edgar's Battery enjoyed ample
provisions and improved health, things that had been lacking at "Camp Freeze Out."(24) From
January to May, the division carried out several expeditions throughout southern Arkansas and
northern Louisiana, ultimately settling camp near Alexandria. Late in May, the division returned
to the vicinity of Monroe by steam transport, with orders to march to Vicksburg.(25) The Third
Brigade was ordered to begin marching toward Judge Perkin's Plantation, where federal troops
were reported to be camped. The brigade's presence surprised the federal troops, and they hastily
abandoned the camp, leaving provisions and clothing behind. The Union force fell back into a line
of battle supported by gun-boats on the Mississippi River. General McCulloch ordered Captain
Edgar's Battery forward into an open field in range of the gun-boats. However, before the battery
could get into position, they were fired upon. The battery quickly returned fire, and a duel
ensued that lasted for over an hour. The federal cannon fire was inaccurate and ineffective.
Whereas, Edgar's Battery directed convincingly accurate and damaging fire against the federal
gun-boats and transports. The federal troops retreated to the transports and withdrew from the
area. In this, the battery's first important engagement, it experienced tremendous success.
General McCulloch was very pleased and commended the battery as behaving "gallantly" during
the battle.(26)
In June, McCulloch's Brigade was ordered to proceed to Millikien's Bend and engage the Union
camp. Upon approach, the brigade's scouts were suddenly attacked by the Federal pickets.
Edgar's Battery returned fire at nearby gun-boats while the remainder of the division initiated
hand-to-hand combat. As firing intensified from the gunboat Choctaw,(27) the brigade was forced
to withdraw out of the range of fire.(28) The brigade retreated to Richmond, after suffering
significant losses.(29) At Richmond the division reunited and prepared to face the enemy. Captain
Edgar was ordered to prepare his artillery with six rounds of ammunition at the side of each gun.
The battery concealed itself until the Union soldiers were within one hundred fifty yards. At this
point, Captain Edgar ordered the attack. The battery fired with superb swiftness, inflicting great
damage to the Union troops. Following this engagement, the division fell back to the town of
Delhi to form a stronger line. The division continued various operations and engagements from
Delhi until the surrender of Vicksburg in July of 1863. The men of Walker's Division were
surprised and angered by the surrender.(30)
The division moved to Monroe in mid -July and then on to Alexandria. During the journey, at
Vernon, General McCulloch was relieved as the Third Brigade commander by Colonel George
Flourney.(31) The division settled about twenty miles southwest of Alexandria at Camp Green. In
late August the division once again picked up camp and began a series of marches and
countermarches. On October 17, 1863, Walker's Division united with other Confederate forces,
under the command of General Dick Taylor, near the small town of Moundville. About this time,
command of the Third Brigade passed to General William R. Scurry, known for his brave
leadership at the Battle of Valverde.(32) The brigade's participation was called for in various
support actions in the area of Atchafalaya Bayou, including engagements at Grand Coteau, Bayou
Boubeau, Carrion Crow and Buzzard's Prairie. In these, and other engagements along the rivers,
the battery often dueled with Union gunboats and transports. During the winter movements, the
battery suffered much from the poor quality of the roads and unfavorable weather conditions. At
many points the battery was left behind until the weather let up and the land became more
tolerable. In December the brigade was ordered to set camp at Bayou De Glaize. General Scurry
moved his men to the Norwood plantation, a mile north of the camp, and took possession of some
abandoned slave cabins. Here, the brigade established winter quarters. The cabins provided
accommodations far superior to what the men had been accustomed.(33) Captain Edgar's Battery,
along with a company from each regiment of the brigade, was sent to Simmsport to guard the
pontoon bridge on the Atchafalaya Bayou. By late December, the entire brigade was moved to
Simmsport, based on reports of Union movement.(34) General Scurry ordered the construction of
fortifications a short distance from Simmsport at the mouth of Yellow Bayou.(35) In the first few
months of 1864, the brigade was inundated with rumors of Union movement toward the bayou.
On March 7, General Scurry gave orders to prepare for an advancing Union force, led by General
Nathaniel P. Banks.(36) As the federal troops arrived in Simmsport, the Third Brigade prepared for
action.(37) However, before an engagement was initiated, General Walker ordered the brigade to
fall back and rejoin the division at Marksville. The division, located three miles from Fort De
Russy, fought Union advances and engaged in skirmishes all around the fort. However, the fort
was overwhelmed by Union advances and surrendered.(38)
The division moved to a campsite within the Piney Woods. From there, a rigorous march was
initiated toward Shreveport up the Alexandra & Burr's ferry road. On March 20th, heavy firing
was heard about twelve miles from camp, at McNutt's Hill. Reports were received that the
Second Louisiana Cavalry was being pushed from their position by Union forces. The weather
had turned to pouring rain and sleet making movements extremely challenging. The next day,
Captain Edgar was ordered to lead his battery in support of Colonel Vincent, the cavalry
commander. The battery was placed in a "strong position near James' store, where it commanded
the valley of the Rapides."(39) At this location , the battery spent the entire day engaging the
opposing union forces. Orders were sent for the battery and the second Louisiana Cavalry to fall
back. However, the courier, Captain Elgee, was captured by Union soldiers, and the orders were
never delivered. Captain Edgar, fighting Union aggression and punishing weather, had several
men from his battery flee. That night, Union forces, led by General Mower, lodged a surprise
attack. The Union soldiers were led by deserters to the rear of the battery on a hidden road ( See
Figure 1). The surprise resulted in the capture of Captain Edgar's guns and most of his men.(40)
The few men of the battery who managed to escape capture were placed in various positions
throughout the brigade.(41)
The soldiers of Edgar's Battery were transported to New Orleans where most of the men were
imprisoned. In June of 1864, Union Major General E.R.S. Canby and Confederate General E.
Kirby Smith began negotiations on the exchange of prisoners captured in Louisiana. By July, a
compromise had been reached and an exchange was ordered.(42) At Red River Landing, on July
22, 1864, all the personnel of Edgar's Battery who were imprisoned at New Orleans were
exchanged.(43) Following the exchange, Captain Edgar began the reformation of the battery.
Many members who escaped capture had disbanded, or deserted their posts within the brigade.
Captain Edgar struggled to maintain the battery and conciliate his men. They continued to serve
in various capacities in the Red River area as an unattached unit. In September of 1864, the
battery was placed under the command of the Eighth Mounted Artillery Battalion. The battery
moved to Natchitoches where winter quarters were established. Early in 1865, the battery began
a move back within the Texas borders. As reports of Confederate units surrendering in the east
increased, the battery quickly dissolved. At the surrender in Galveston on June 2, 1865, the
battery was included in the list of Confederate troops surrendered, though they had long since
disbanded.(44)
With an understanding of the military career of this unit, questions arise concerning the nature of
the common soldier. What role did the social, and political profiles of these men play in their
experiences? And, how does this unit's pattern compare with others? A look into these factors
may provide an indication of the importance of the soldier's background and experiences with
relation to unit cohesiveness.
In a military setting, dedication to a command and mission is intrinsically related to the solidarity
of a unit. Therefore, in units with close social relations and similarities, a bond is created. In
times of war, units must compel their members to exhibit dedication to collective goals that they
would not normally pursue. To reach this united nature, units must encourage an environment in
which the collective end is synonymous with the individual end. In some units solidarity is present
at the outset but becomes weakened as individual desires intensify. This can be seen in the early
formation of Edgar's Battery.
As Captain Edgar formed his independent company late in 1860, the membership was generally a
closely linked, homogeneous group. In respect to their county of origin, the original unit shared
complete uniformity. Twenty-nine men were recruited by Captain Edgar prior to state service, all
residents of San Antonio. The unit met and drilled in San Antonio under the power of its own
dedication to the captain and the company. This commonality and dedication continued into
mid-1861, with the unit's first eighty-five men claiming their residence in Bexar county.(45) Captain
Edgar himself lived in San Antonio and had placed his residence there since 1848. San Antonio
had become the largest town in Texas, following rapid growth in the 1850's.(46) In this urban
setting, the captain had become a respected member of the local society and had held several
positions of public office.(47) His prominent position in the local community undoubtedly played a
role in the early unity and dedication of the company. In the early months of the unit's existence,
allegiance of purpose must have been present. This is demonstrated by the emergence of
desertions and misconduct within the unit at times of adjustment.
As the unit prepared to be called into state service in February of 1861, definite manifestations of
disunity were emerging. No reports of desertion or misconduct occured prior to February.
However, within the month following acceptance into state service, the unit experienced a flood
of desertion and misconduct. Eight men were reported to have deserted; ten men were
discharged for "unsoldierlike conduct"; and one sergeant refused to transfer to state service .(48)
This was a 30 percent reduction in the size of the unit within a one-month period. This
abandonment of the unit suggests that the solidarity experienced had been largely based on
acceptance of the group mission. The early mission of the unit had been based principally on
pride and protection of the local community, not the whole state. With the modification of the
unit's collective mission came disunity. Furthermore, this pattern repeated itself within the unit as
the men prepared for Confederate duty. Following the call to Confederate service, a ground swell
of dissonance was present within the unit. Records show twelve desertions within two weeks of
the 20th of April, decreasing the unit size by an additional eighteen percent.(49) Again, the
willingness to protect the Confederacy was not as strong as the desire to preserve the state and
the local community.
As the unit prepared for its first movement into northeastern Louisiana, the number of men had been reduced to almost fifty percent of the original company strength. However, the unit remained a homogeneous group, in regard to community origin. The necessity of securing additional enlistees sparked a recruiting campaign led by Captain Edgar. As the unit marched throughout the state, recruits were taken in at various camps along the way. Captain Edgar's statewide recruiting campaign greatly altered the composition of the unit. Fifty-one men enlisted between March of 1861 and April of 1862. The county origins of these men represent the route that the unit followed through the state. The enlistment pattern starts in Bexar county and works its way to the northeastern portion of the state. The largest portion of these men, 38 percent, were from Galveston county. Fourteen percent of the men were not even residents of Texas; they were from Arkansas. Only 24 percent of the new enlistees were from the unit's home of Bexar County.(50) This system of recruitment, no doubt, had tremendous impact on the solidarity of the unit. In its first year as a Confederate unit, the importance of community origin had been greatly reduced. As the company became increasingly heterogeneous with respect to county origin, the social solidarity of the unit was decreased. This pattern of recruitment continued throughout the history of the unit. The astounding diversity regarding origin can be seen by looking at the residency of the entire unit. In all, thirty-four Texas counties and five states were represented by members of this unit (See Figure 2).(51)
Residence of unit members
County/Enrollees
| Anderson | .47% |
| Austin | 2.36% |
| Bexar | 41.2% |
| Brazoria | .94% |
| Caldwell | .47% |
| Calhoun | 2.84% |
| Cameron | .47% |
| Cherokee | .94% |
| Dallas | .94% |
| Fannin | .47% |
| Galveston | 11.84% |
| Grayson | .47% |
| Guadalupe | .94% |
| Harris | .47% |
| Houston | 3.31% |
| Lavaca | .47% |
| Limestone | .47% |
| McLennan | .47% |
| Marion | .47% |
| Mason | .47% |
| Matagorda | .47% |
| Navarro | .47% |
| Orange | 1.89% |
| Polk | .47% |
| Presidio | .94% |
| Red River | .47% |
| Rusk | 1.42% |
| Smith | .47% |
| Starr | .47% |
| Titus | 2.36% |
| Victoria | 3.31% |
| Washington | 1.89% |
| Wharton | .47% |
| Williamson | .47% |
States
Arkansas 10.43%
Georgia .47%
Louisiana 2.36%
Tennessee .47%
Data is based on research collected from the Manuscript Returns of the Eigth Census of the U.S., 1860, Schedule 1; Texas Counties Tax rolls, 1860; Compiled Service Records.
Figure 2
The level of diversity ultimately reached within the unit is demonstrated by the members' ages,
places of birth and occupations. The men shared no overwhelming commonality in background.
Members were from various parts of the country and the world, with no one region holding a
majority. The highest percentage of men were born in the lower South, with the next highest
percentage being those of foreign birth.(52) A large number of the men were Irish and German.
These vast cultural differences were made obvious in the battery's camp when various cliques
were created based on ethnic origin. German and Irish communities arose within the camp. This
difference in background contributed greatly to the breakdown of community within the unit.(53)
The ages of the men were also very incongruous to one another. The ages at enlistment ranged
from seventeen to fifty-three. Though a slight majority of the men were in their twenties, the ages
were spread throughout the age groups. The average age of unit members was twenty-eight.
This was about five years older than other Confederate units from Texas.(54) The unit also
displayed its diversity in its members' previous occupations. The men of Edgar's battery came
from various occupational backgrounds, from physicians to farm laborers. The two occupations
with the highest percentages of men from the unit were farmer and unskilled worker. Thirty-three
percent of the men were in a farm-related job, while 23 percent were unskilled workers.(55) The
combination of the very different backgrounds intensified the the lack of cohesion within the
battery. This divisive character of the unit contributed to the decreased vision of the unit as one.
And, as the unit members began to separate themselves from each other, individuality was
emphasized and group solidarity was sacrificed.
Dedication can also be revealed by examining the various patterns and processes of a unit's
reenlistment. It is possible that no other data reveal as much about unit solidarity as a person's
willingness to remain with a unit. The diversity and lack of cohesiveness of the First Texas Field
Battery are confirmed by the difficulties encountered with reenlistment in the Spring of 1862.
Many of the original unit members were twelve-month volunteers whose terms of service expired
in April of 1862. Early in the year, Captain Edgar began to encourage these men to extend their
service with the unit for the remainder of the war. This request was not fulfilled. There were
over fifty men with enlistments that were about to expire (about half the company strength).
Captain Edgar informed the men of the provisions of the 1861 Furlough and Bounty Act that
insured them a bounty of fifty dollars and a furlough of sixty days for their reenlistment.
Regretfully, he also informed them that the bounties and furloughs would not be issued at the time
of reenlistment. The men responded by refusing to reenlist; only twelve of the men reenlisted by
March 17, 1862. Captain Edgar lacked faith in his company's devotion and requested a leave of
absence to return to San Antonio to replace the men.(56) The unit was then ordered to reorganize
under Waul's Texas Legion in early April. Under the new command, furloughs and bounties were
made available to the men. Many of the men were enticed by these incentives and reenlisted.
However, of the 54 men with one year enlistments, only fifty-three percent extended their
service. The unwillingness of the men to place the group's needs above individual needs
represented a weakening of social solidarity within the unit. Magnifying this point, the refusal to
reenlist even with incentives demonstrated the capricious loyalty of many of the unit members.
For a unit to be successful, men must be recruited and soldiers must be created. In the
development of a unit, various mechanisms are put in place to produce uniformity and cohesion.
Controls such as collective rewards and punishments, structured ranking systems, and uniformity
of personal experience all work to integrate a unit. However, in units with a reduced sense of
solidarity, these measures often meet with resistance and challenge. Also, as units continued in
the war effort, most soldiers suffered deprivations of nutrition, clothing, sleep and medical care.(57)
The defiant nature of some men and the righteous rebellion of others may explain many of the
problems with conformity within Civil War units.
There are several ways to judge the level of discipline within a unit. The frequency of
dishonorable discharges, court-martials and men placed in camp confinement, are all very
revealing indicators. Research on Edgar's Battery offers an illustration of an outfit plagued with
discipline problems that continually undermined the authority and community of the unit. The
occurrence of dishonorable discharges has been briefly covered earlier in this paper, but not in
context of discipline and unit solidarity. It is understandable that when common regulations of a
group are broken, it reflects the membership's respect for the collective goals of the group. Early
in the unit's history, misconduct became an important issue as the unit moved into state and then,
later, Confederate service. The majority of these cases can be dismissed as members who did not
share the same desires and ambitions as the group. More often than not, early Texas recruits saw
the war as a sort of holiday excursion. Many young men anticipated a short fight and a speedy
return home.(58) As the reality of military service faced these men, misconduct was often the result.
The environment of Captain Edgar's camps often demonstrated the lack of discipline by his men.
A young German man witnessed the battery's Galveston camp in 1861. The young man told of
what he saw at the camp.
...the day before two men had strung up another by the
hand and had let him just hang there that way for three
hours, and another one was hitched in stocks, and lots
more, from which we could see that the people were not
treated like civilians...(59)
However, as most units spent time in service together, discipline problems usually diminished, if
not disappeared altogether.(60) Edgar's Battery does not fit this model. Discipline remained a
primary concern for the unit throughout the war. Misconduct and camp confinements remained
fairly constant during the unit's service. The unit placed twenty-two men in confinement for
misconduct from 1861 to 1865. In each of these four years, a similar number of men were
punished in this manner.(61) The reasons for the confinements range from "improper language with
an officer" to "prejudice of good order and military discipline."(62) The consumption of alcohol had
a direct impact on the occurrence of misconduct within the unit.(63) One such case is documented
in the court records of the court-martial of James Drumm, a private in the battery. In this case
Private Drumm was accused of the two offenses of "cursing an officer" and "threatening an officer
physically." Apparently, the officer was on duty transporting prisoners to the nearby camp.
Witnesses reported that the officer, the guards on duty and the accused were all "under the
influence of liquor at the time." The court found it hard to find truth in any of the witnesses and
split their decision. The private was found guilty of "threatening words," but innocent of
"threatening actions." The sentence the private was given called for a public reprimand by
Captain Edgar and a short confinement.(64) However, not all of the confinements within the unit
were the result of general court-martials. Some apparently were ordered by officers without any
due process. Within the unit, the problem was pervasive. Officers were punished almost as
frequently as enlisted men. There are even reports of a two month arrest of Captain Edgar for
unknown charges.(65) This continual conflict between conformity and malcontent threatened the
already weak unit solidarity.
The more serious offenses usually resulted not only in confinement in the "guard house", (66) but
also an appearance before a general court-martial. The courts usually consisted of five to thirteen
officers, usually holding rank above the person on trial. Generals in the field had the authority to
appoint courts as they deemed necessary. The courts held jurisdiction over all persons and
offenses subject to military law.(67) Edgar's men experienced a high rate of court-martials. In three
years, the battery had eight men stand before a general court-martial. One of the more serious
cases involved private William Johnson, who was accused of "theft of government arms." After
brief testimony was given, Johnson was quickly found guilty on all counts. The witness "saw the
accused selling pistols" that resembled the "new colt patent army size to a citizen of Galveston
county" in October and November of 1861. Johnson was sentenced to reimburse the Army $225
for the cost of the pistols. He was also ordered to be placed in confinement and "to hard labor
with a ball and chain during the term of his enlistment." The court also stipulated that upon
discharge of service, Johnson would receive a dishonorable discharge.(68) The sentences and
punishments of the court-martial differed greatly from case to case. It was often left to the
discretion of the company captain to enforce minor sentences. The number of court martials
within Edgar's Battery did taper off as the war continued. After January of 1863, only one
court-martial was held for a member of the unit.(69) However, the impact of court-martials were
evident throughout the battery's service, with several prisoners and penalties lingering until the
battery disbanded.
During the Civil War, many Confederate units successfully fused the importance of local
community with military solidarity. In units where strong social relations existed, desertion was
limited. This was due to the enormous social barriers placed in the way of individuals by their
shared community. Edgar's Battery did not originate from a distinct local community. Thus, the
men of the unit were moderately free from apprehension of community reaction to their desertion.
The diversity of the unit ensured almost complete anonymity to deserters. Another factor that
allowed many deserters to escape the stigma of desertion was their residence in a large city. In
Edgar's Battery, fifty percent of all deserters had enlisted in Bexar County.(70) Living in a county
with a population of around 15,000 people, a person often lived in obscurity.(71) This allowed a
person to sometimes return home without being cast as a deserter.
The effects of reduced unit solidarity can also be illustrated by looking at the county of enlistment
for deserters. In units with strong solidarity, deserters were often recruits who had limited social
ties to the unit's home county. These men often felt dejected and excluded from the unit, lacking
a local bond. In Edgar's Battery, the absence of any local influence is illustrated by investigating
where deserters enlisted. As stated before, fifty percent of all deserters from the battery were
residents of Bexar County.(72) This is important because, in most cohesive units where localism
played a role, enlistees from the unit's home deserted less.(73) Of the forty-six deserters from
Edgar's Battery, only eleven were found in the 1860 federal census, and only seven were found in
both the federal census and the county tax rolls. This data suggests that the men were unstable,
even prior to military service. And, also suggests that these men lacked ties to a community
which may have influenced their individualistic nature in the military setting.
In summary, the First Texas Field Battery of Light Artillery achieved a fair amount of success
militarily. However, the unit was continually plagued with internal problems based on its vast
differences. The results of this great diversity are demonstrated by continual problems with a lack
of dedication and discipline within the unit. The lack of unit solidarity is further demonstrated by
the willingness of many members to abandon the unit by desertion. Is diversity linked with
disunity? In the case of Edgar's Battery, the group was more that a Rebel unit. They were a
group of rebels. They cherished individuality and resisted solidarity within the unit. The data
collected in this research suggests that the diversity within this unit was directly related to an
environment of disunity.
©D. Michael Cobb, Jr., All Rights Reserved, 1999.
Return to Texas Confederate Regiments
Endnotes
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