When the Civil War broke out, Frederick Bird Smith Cocke joined the “Helena Guards” of Karnes County as a captain under the command of Brig. Gen. James B. Slaughter. Since the Texas Legislature only held sessions every other year, Frederick was able to simultaneously serve as a member of the Texas House of Representatives during the 1862-63 session. His five adult sons also served in the Confederate Army, and achieved high military rank, one becoming a state legislator himself. Frederick participated in the last battle of the war at Palmito Ranch, near Brownsville, TX. Although the Texans won the skirmish, many of his fellow Confederates, including Gen. Slaughter, fled into Mexico.