STIDHAM, George W. Stidham, b-1819 SC; m-Martha; 1860 Smith Co TX cen p21 (Companies G, H, I, Bourland's Regt)
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The "G.W. Stidham, Chief Justice" entry refers to the Creek Signatories of the Confederate Treaty at North Fork Village, Creek Nation, I.T. on Jul 10, 1861.
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The "G.W. Stidman," who was in Bourland's Regt, was also commissioned as a captain in an 1863 Lamar Co TX militia, or Texas State Troops.
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Another Smith Co TX resident, TST Brig-Gen. A. Smith, moved to the 9th Militia Brigade District (Lamar and Hopkins Co TX). ..TST Brig-Gen. A. Smith commissioned four militias in 1863 for the 9th Militia Brigade. ..This "A. Smith" had been the TST Brig-Gen. of the 12th Militia Brigade that included Smith, VanZandt, and Wood Counties TX. And by the way, G.W. Stidham was elected Lt-Colonel of the 12th Militia Brigade, but I did not include that in my "G.W. Stidham" entry of my Name Index because it is not addressed in my book. See my web page:
http://www.bourlandcivilwar.com/SevenMilitiaBrigades.htm
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East Texans served on the North and West Frontier. Many of the soldiers in the 240 militia listings of 24 North Texas counties in my book, esp. those in the 1863 and 1864 militias, and yes, the men of Bourland's Regt, were from all over Texas: many were older men true to the Southern Cause.
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Most of my book is from handwritten records (my 6th edition due out soon, is 90% from handwritten records.) ... I have worked for years trying to identify these soldiers, 39,500 Name Index entries. Identifying this "A. Smith" proved to be taxing. So I asked my great friend for 20 plus years, Skipper Steely of Paris TX (Skipper stuff will be posted below), for help. And yes, Skipper came through. The key was A. Smith's son's name: "A. Wirt Smith." ... Again, Bruce Allardice and I thank you, Skipper Steely. Below is my "Alex. Smith" entry in my huge Name Index and yes, I skipped the 12th Militia Brigade info simply because it is not mentioned in my book.
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SMITH, Alexander Smith (1808 VA ?Franklin Co-c1881 ?St Louis Co MO) m1-Louise Guthridge, m2-Catherine, m-Amelia Jane Carter; 1850 St Chs Co MO cen, a miller; 1860 Galveston cen, a gentleman; During the War lived with son Capt A. Wirt Smith of Burnet's TX 1st SharpShooters, county judge Aug 1864-Aug 1865; name on few Lamar Co TX deeds; 1870 Calhoun cen; 1880 St Louis Co MO cen, rural, with dau-in-law; was also Brig-Gen. of 6th Militia Brig, Harrison & Upshur Co's TX
(Brig-Gen, 9th Militia Brig, TST)
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One of my major contributions to Texas history is that I have a listing of about 350 men who were residents of Texas counties hugging the Louisiana line, who were later enrolled in CSA and TST military units serving on the North and West Frontier.
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Skipper Steely of Paris TX sent the following two excerpts from his book: FORTY SEVEN YEARS (2000), Chapter 19.
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The days Captain Mackey spent in the area were not happy ones for citizens. The Federal officers used a building on the east side of the Paris square where the Williams and Wortham Store was located. The soldiers were upstairs, the Freedman's Bureau below.
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One tragedy recorded found Mackey in Wirt Smith's law office, removing the furniture in the attorney's absence. Smith was the son of Judge Alexander Smith, and had two brothers in town, Charley and Sam, and a sister, Annie. Wirt Smith was a popular young Paris citizen, just learning the law profession. Upon his return, Smith approached Mackey, demanding back his belongings, which Mackey now used in his own office. Mackey cussed Smith, who in turn drew his pistol. However, Mackey grabbed his own gun and dived out into the street.
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A fight ensued with soldiers following, attempting only casually to break up the altercation. Paris citizens arose quickly in mass to the cause, driving the soldiers back, letting Smith and Mackey fight it out in the dusty square. Both were shot, and Smith died instantly. However, Mackey recovered from his wounds, thanks to the skill of Dr. W.M. Clements, Mrs. Walter Boyd's father.
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For 55 days and $70,000 worth of time the group met, some of the delegates being the same as gathered five years earlier to determine Secession. James W. Throckmorton of McKinney was there as part of a strong minority of conservative Unionists. Albert Latimer of Clarksville, the state's comptroller and always against Secession, Edmund J. Davis and I.A. Pascal were in this group. Among a few familiar names on the other side still were O.M. Roberts, Bowie County's H.R. Runnells, John Ireland, John W. Whitfield and T.N. Waul. But, a considerable element at the convention was classified as merely conservative. Alexander Smith was the delegate from Lamar County's District 23. Micajah Louis Armstrong represented both Lamar and Hopkins Counties as delegate from District 25.[1]
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[1] Steely Collection, Neville Papers, 334.
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All Oklahomans and Texans will forever be indebted to Thomas B. "Skipper" Steely for compiling the history of Old Miller County, Arkansas from the original handwritten Miller Co AR records found in his family's archives. ..In fact, Skipper was given these records when he visited two aunts in Idabel OK. ..Yes, handwritten original records. ..It is upsetting that most univeristy libraries have not shelved this book, but more upsetting is that historians have never heard of Old Miller County.
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Skipper Steely's SIX MONTHS FROM TENNESSEE, Paris TX, Wright Press (1982). ..This wonderful book, from handwritten records, sheds light on the era 1819 to 1830s era of Old Miller County, Arkansas that includes now McCurtain County OK, and Lamar County TX, esp. George W. Wright (founder of Paris TX). You may want to see my November 24, 2007-Indian Territory posting about this book.
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http://history-sites.com/cgi-bin/bbs53x/itcwmb/webbbs_config.pl?read=4312
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Were the two "George W. Stidham" entries in my Name Index referencing the same person?
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Patti, prochette@Juno.com
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