Battle At Nueces: A Brief Analysis

Following the discussion on the league, McGowen proceeds to describe Brig. Den. Hamilton P. Bee appointment of Capt. James M. Duff to combat the open rebellion in the area around Fredericksburg, Texas. He provides a detailed sequence of events that occurred during the “Battle at Nueces” and the actions performed by Lt. McRae’s, Lt. Homsely’s, Tegener and his German Unionist, and Lt. Edward Lilly (Luck). Throughout his narrative, he debunks the myths and falsehoods perpetuated by authors, Bigger, Lonn, and Fehrenbach. They claim Duff “ordered the wounded prisoners killed and participated in the executions of the captured Unionist” along the Mexican border in October 1862 when facts prove that Duff was not present during any of these …show more content…
During the referendum, Cooke County voted 221 to 137 against secession. Most citizens of the county accepted the results of the referendum. However, tensions aroused when the Confederate Congress passed the Conscription laws exempting certain slaveholders and overseers from service. Unionist feared “they might be forced to die for a cause they did not believe in while some slaveholders would not even have to fear the draft.” Smallwood argues that due to the continuing controversy over the “Great Hanging at Gainesville,” a re-examination is required. The controversy stems from the differing accounts (published and unpublished) of those participating in the events leading up to the “citizens court,” and the actions carried out by vigilante mob or citizens’ group. Smallwood utilizes memoirs from key individuals who published accounts of the events occurring before, during, and after the hangings. The primary research material includes a juror of the “citizens court” Thomas Barrett, and George Washington Diamond. Secondary research material comes from town citizens Joe T. Roff, Lillian Gunter, J. E. Wheeler, Fern Suydam, and relative of one victim, L.D. Clark. John Diamond and other participants who “assisted in arresting members of the Union League” requested George (brother of John) “to write an account of the affair and was given all records pertaining to the …show more content…
One of the foremost scholars who adds to the historiography on this subject is Richard B. McCaslin. His book, Tainted Breeze: The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas 1862, presents a more detailed analysis than those introduced by Smallwood’s article. His research material utilizes the primary works identified by Smallwood, above. Plus, he analyzes editorials and the census and land records of the victims and their executioners. He provides a background history that cultivated an atmosphere of hysteria among the slaveholders in the area. Providing the political and social status of the victims, the jurors on the “citizens court,” and the vigilantes. McCaslin asserts that repercussions continued to affect the counties and Texas well after the event and the end of the Civil