Parson's Brigade - 12th Texas Cavalry CSA
Famous Texas Fighting Unit Gives Up Reunions
Three and Tattered Flag Represent Parsons' Brigade
Famous Texas Fighting Unit of Civil War,
Its Ranks Thinned by Time,
Gives Up Reunions
[Abstract of article in Atlanta Constitution by Harold Banks ca July 1923, contributed by Jim McDonald, descendant of B. F. Marchbanks]
For the last time in history veterans of Colonel Parsons' Texas Cavalry Brigade, who followed their leader through four bitter years of war in 1861-1865, have met in a reunion to recount the experiences that befell them while wearing the gray of a Southern soldier. Time has thinned the ranks and today scarcely more than half a dozen remain.
At the forty-eighth annual reunion of the military organization in Ennis [Texas] recently only three answered the roll. Realizing that they could no longer carry on, the trio elected lifetime officers and adjourned sine die. B. F. Marchbanks, 88, Waxahachie, was elected president; Allen Roe, 83, who resides near Sardis, was chosen first vice president and J. C. Reagor, of Waxahachie second vice president. Thomas Reece of Fort Worth, 88, who died two weeks ago, was designated chaplain.
Doubtless the thoughts of Marchbanks, Roe and Reagor must have wandered back to 1878, when the first reunion of those who served in the Confederate brigade was held in Waxahachie, attended by several hundred cavlreymen, their families and state notables. But though the solemn notes of taps have been sounded - above their comrades' graves and they live in the memories of stirring days long since past, the last years of the trio are often brightened by visits with one another, when they relate again their tales as boy soldiers fighting in the interest of a lost cause.
There is even something akin to a twinkle in the dim eyes of Marchbanks, that once sighted a sharpshooter's rifle at Yankee horsemen as he recounts a skirmish in Arkansas. Likewise, Roe smiles as he reminds Reagor of the occasion in Missouri when the latter scrambled through the thick underbrush in attempting to escape from Northern troopers and Roe, who had been captured in a surprise attack, escaped.
"I'll never forget it," Roe stated reminiscently. "I had been taken when a force of about 500 enemy soldiers rode through 80 of us raiders. We hadn't a chance and so I was arrested. while my guard was roundin' up others we heard a scramble in the bushes and in a minute Jim darted out. He was tryin' to get away and it was lucky for me that he was. He attracted my guard's attention and I grabbed his pistol from his holster and shot him. Then I darted in the trees. That's how I spent the rest of the time fighting instead of in a Yankee prison camp."
History of the famous Confederate brigade, composed entirely of Texas volunteers, is recounted by the three survivors. Marchbanks was sworn in at Cottonwood Springs, a site then owned by General Tarrant, for whom Tarrant County was named. Roe made his oath to the Confederacy at Dallas and Reagor at Waxahachie. They were bent on their first great adventure of life, but hardships and the rigors of the campaign made then steadfast friends.
The unit trained at Camp Parsons, 10 miles south of Houston, and while it did not figure in Gettysburg, Shiloh or other major engagements of the war, its members were at constant grips with the enemy in Arkansas, Missouri and Louisiana.
While still in camp near Houston, wives of brigade officers made a cotton Confederate flag which was presented to the unit. The frayed banner is now one of Marchbanks' most treasured possessions. None of the three know how the Stars and Bars emblem finally came through the war and became the property of brigade survivors. Several years ago, however, Marchbanks became ill shortly before the brigade reunion at Hillsboro. Believing he was about to die, veterans attending the gathering voted to send the standard to Marchbanks' kin so that it might be draped around his casket.
"I fooled 'em though," the veteran warrior declared, "and that's how I happen to have the flag. When I am buried I want it to be buried with me. It is a sign that all the bitterness I ever felt toward the Union is gone. My son was killed in France and was laid to rest with the Stars and Stripes. I am going to be buried beside him."
Among the engagements in which Parsons' Brigade fought were Searcy Lane, White River and Cotton Plant in Arkansas. They also participated in the battle of Mansfield in 1864 and the Blair's Landing clash the same year. In the latter fight the troops were under the famed Confederate leader, Gen. Tom Green. Their last battle was at Yellow Bayou in Louisiana.
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