Don’t worry, there is more coming about the story of the Haynes-Beylor Murder. I’m just a bit tied-up right now in preparing for masters comps.
However, in the midst of preparing (and, as I tend to become distracted or, as I sometimes put it “hypertextual in my thoughts”) I have decided to put up somewhat of an information drop-off ground for those who have an interest in the stories of Southern Unionists. Please take the time to visit my spin-off blog site, Southern Unionists Chronicles. It is still in the development stage, but it is something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.
Why did I do this? Frankly, I tire of the constant rants of how, at the hands of Union soldiers, atrocities/war crimes were committed against Southern civilians. There are plenty of attrocities/war crimes to go around, and it is high time that stories of Southern Unionists are brought to the front. For those who are interested, I hope you enjoy what I hope evolves into something valuable in our understanding of the complexities of the Civil War.
Now, back to preparing for masters comps…
Greg Rowe
October 18, 2008
I am a middle school history teacher in Texas. I follow your blog and a couple of others and comment from time to time, though this, I think, is my first time to comment here.
I read your requirements for the “Southern Unionist Chronicles” site. As of this time, I have not conducted enough research into the incident to provide a suitable first-person account, but one event in Texas provides a look into Southern Unionism here.
According to a 1986 _Dallas Morning News_ (DMN) article, in Comfort, Texas (on the Guadalupe River, about 50 miles northwest of San Antonio) a monument stands to honor 68 German immigrants who were killed for refusing allegiance to the Confederacy and who were caught near the Nueces River attempting to escape to Mexico. CSA Capt. James Duff was the leader of the state militia unit assigned to force German immigrants in the Hill Country of Texas to swear loyalty to the Confederacy. Over 200 Germans were lynched or massacred in the 1862 incidents.
Not only have I seen this article in the DMN, but, since I teach state history, I briefly mention this event to let students know not everyone in Texas in the Civil War was a Confederate. I am currently planning to travel to Comfort this summer and research this incident in greater detail.
As a side note, Sam Houston (two-term president of the Republic of Texas, one-term US Senator and two-term Governor) was perhaps our state’s most prominent Unionist. First, as the sitting governor, he wouldn’t call a secession convention immediately after Lincoln’s election. He later did, but sat in his office in the capitol building whittling a stick while the vote was taken. He was forced out of office when he refused to take the oath of allegiance. He died in 1863 at his home in Huntsville, Texas.
cenantua
October 19, 2008
Thanks for commenting Greg. These are exactly the type of stories I am looking for. I’m very interested in learning more about this massacre now. That is also a great story about Sam Houston. I was aware of his stand against secession, but his whittling while the vote was taken provides something extra. I look forward to hearing from you again with more details about both of these stories. Also, since the rules for contributing stories to the other site are in the development process, I’m flexible on the first-person criteria as long as the info is verifiable. Thanks again for commenting!
John White
January 29, 2009
Most of what I read about the Gainesville lynchings does not match family history. John Crisp saw his father John M. Crisp hung. His mom moved to Montague County. John was a deacon or leader in the Disciples of Christ Church and was a Unionist sympathizer as were many in his church who were also hung.
cenantua
January 29, 2009
Thank you for the comment and information Mr. White. This certainly adds something to our understanding of the events surrounding the Gainesville incident. Also, to keep your comment linked to the proper post to which you are refering, I am providing a link back to the “Gainesville hanging” post in Southern Unionists Chronicles and will also duplicate your comment there. Thanks again!