The Texas in the Civil War Message Board - Archive

CSA Brush Battalion of North Texas

Jerry Coffee,

There were Diamond brothers living in the Whitesboro, Cooke-Grayson Co TX area: J.J. Diamond and J.R. Diamond.

Lt-Col. J.J. Diamond was the commander of the CSA 11th TX Cavalry from Apr 16, 1862 until May 8, 1862. He then served as TST Captain of Bourland's Ranging Border Regiment when it was formed in Februray 1863. (I must quickly add that J.J. Diamond and his broher, W.W. Diamond, founded the HOUSTON JOURNAL which was later called THE HOUSTON POST in Harris Co TX.)

Major J.R. Diamond was the commander of the Brush Battalion that was enrolled in November 1863 into the Confederacy by Col. L.M. Martin of the 5th Partisan Rangers. We know that this group of at least 480 men were stationed at Oxford Lake in Collin Co TX in late Novemeber 1863. This Brush Battalion seems to have dissolved by March 1, 1864 when Major J.R. Diamond was active in Bourland's Ranging Border Regiment when it was enrolled into the Confederacy.

Col. Bourland’s responsibilities changed on February 10, 1865, when he was charged with “Commanding the Frontier” to protect the white settlers from marauding Indians. Contrary to published accounts thus far, this was not a demotion, but a promotion. Lt-Col. J. R. Diamond was reporting to Bourland as late as April 10, 1865 per McCulloch’s letter to Bourland. (see vIpp305f.) ...

Proof that Bourland was promoted and not demoted as careless historians have stated is presented in the letter below.

1865 Fannin Co TX, Bonham, Apr 10......COL. [J. Bourland, Commanding on the Frontier]:

I learned last night that fully one-half of the troops that made the capture of the deserters under Lt. Col. J.R. Diamond were Texas State Troops. This renders a change in the disposition of the property necessary. The right of property belonging to the Confederate States does not pass away from it, except by all the Govt. arms, mules, and horses and issue the arms to Col. [W.B.] Sims’ Battalion or retain until further orders from me. And place the mules and horses in the hands of your Qr. Mr. for the use of the Govt.

Collect all of the property (horses, saddles, bridles, ropes, blankets, clothing, and arms) of every description taken from the deserters by your command at Gainesville immediately. That it may be disposed of as hereafter indicated.

Genl. Throckmorton will give to the men of both commands about such horses as they had killed or permanently disabled in the fight or was actually broken down and abandoned on the march. The clothing will be equally divided between the two commands according to the quantity and quality by which they will each become responsible to their respective Governments for its safe keeping and proper disposal.

Any horses or mules you may have issued in getting up transportation (except Govt. animals) will be counted in that portion set aside to your command. You will notify Genl. Throckmorton’s Adjt. Genl. at the earliest possible moment, the day you will be ready to distribute the property on orders that he may have that portion now in the hands of his men on the ground. Pistols of every character, common rifles and shotguns will be regarded as private arms. You will require Lt. Col. Diamond to make a written report of pursuit, capture, &c. of the deserters from the time he marched after them to their delivery at your H. Qrs. and forward the same to me as early as practicable.

You will retain all the property that may be set aside from your command in the distribution in your possession having it safely kept and you may, in order to benefit the service loan the men who were engaged in the capture any of the pistols and horses making them responsible to you for them. I shall urge our commanding officers to confiscate all the property taken from these men (except their clothing) and the best or the most valuable portion of it to those who acted most gallantly in the capture but it will not be so disposed of.

I am not at all pleased with the course pursued with the clothing of the prisoners and every article of it collected and returned to them.

Respectfully, &c.

Henry E. McCulloch, Brig-Gen. Comdg., B.E. Benton, A.A.I.G.

Note: I referenced the Brush Battalion on my web site, www.bourlandcivilwar.com, that describes my 998-page book: BOURLAND IN NORTH TEXAS AND INDIAN TERRITORY DURING THE CIVIL WAR. Heretofore, this aspect of the Brush Battalion in North Texas has been neglected.

I hope you publish the writings of your Joshua David Coffee, since you have new important information that most of us have never seen. We need every morsel of data possible to reconstruct the history of North Texas.

Messages In This Thread

Co. H of 31st Infantry - G. W. Tucker
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Sgt. H. J. McRae of Fannin County, TST
Re: Sgt. H. J. McRae of Fannin County, TST
CSA Brush Battalion of North Texas
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CSA Brush Battalion of North Texas
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