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Submitted: 11/7/19 • Approved: 11/7/19 • Last Updated: 11/10/19 • R1281471-G0-S3
In July of 1862, seven Texas soldiers died of disease and were buried at this site. As part of the 13th Texas Calvary, they had been recruited in East Texas. Their regiment, commanded by Colonel John H Burnett, had been ordered to Arkansas to assist in the defense of that state. Later they would march into Louisiana and participate in that state's defense as well.
The 13th consisted of about 850 Cavalrymen, their mounts and at least two dozen wagons loaded with their gear. Their camp on Spring Bank Hill overlooking the Red River was named Camp Blair for Riley J Blair, the First Regimental Sargent Major.
Their movement through the Red River country was delayed one and a half months due to the Measles epidemic that took the lives of the seven men buried at this site. After crossing the river by Blanton's ferry, 23 more soldiers died and were buried in the Walnut Hills Community. Many more deaths were recorded after they left the Red River country.
As part of Major General John G Walker's Texas Division, the 13th was dismounted at Walnut Hill and served as Infantry for the remainder of the war. The 13th participated in actions at Lake Providence, Fort DeRussy, Mansfield and Pleasant Hill in Louisiana, and Jenkins ferry in Arkansas.
The vast majority of the 145 fatalities suffered by the 13th during the war were from disease. Only 11 soldiers died from hostile enemy fire.
Contributed on 11/7/19 by dgueterman
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Record #: 1281471
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