Were the soldiers from Texas really unaccustomed to walking? Of course, we are standing here in front of the Dismounted Texas Cavalry Plaque. So there must have been dismounted cavalry in Texas. And this plaque tells their story. The Dismounted Texas Cavalry Plaque, erected in 1964, commemorates the Texan soldiers who fought as infantry during the Civil War. The plaque describes how, despite a strong preference for cavalry, the need for foot soldiers in the Confederate Army led to several Texas cavalry regiments being dismounted.
Many Texans saw themselves as horsemen, accustomed to the freedom and mobility of the cavalry. They were reluctant to serve as infantry. This historical marker tells us that out of the 95,000 men of military age in Texas during the Civil War, a staggering 58,533 joined the cavalry. They rode their own horses or horses donated by patriotic citizens. This love for cavalry even led to the state sending many of its 325,000 horses to support Confederate efforts in other states. The demand for infantry, however, grew more pressing as the war progressed.
By mid-1862, the need was so great that eight Texas cavalry units, including the 13th, 16th, and 28th regiments, were ordered to dismount. They were to hand over their horses and become foot soldiers. Understandably, this order was met with considerable resistance. To address the need for trained infantry, the state established camps specifically designed to teach these Texans how to effectively walk and fight on foot. The Dismounted Texas Cavalry Plaque tells a tale of adaptation and sacrifice. It highlights the transition of these soldiers from horseback to fighting on foot. The plaque serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked aspects of the Civil War. It reflects the changing demands of warfare and the difficult transitions soldiers faced during those turbulent times.