Loderick Matthews - The Name That Binds

William A. Matthews, Jr. Compiler

Email: matthews@pobox.com

Fourth EDITION

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Table of Contents

Loderick Matthews –The Name That Binds ..........................................................................*

Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................*

E.A. Matthews, Civil War Soldier, andOphelia Emily Garrett ..............................................*

Civil War Information ............................................................................................................*

E.A. Matthews, Civil War Soldier , and Ophelia Emily Garrett

Erastus Allen Matthews was born in Alabama. He was the son of Loderick and Mary Harrell Matthews. Loderick was of French-Scotch ancestry. Mary was German. He was educated at Baylor University when it was located at Independence, Washington County.

The 1860 census lists E.A. Matthews, age 23 and "O.E.", his wife, age 17.Ophelia Emily Garrett was born in St. Mary's Parish, LA. She and E.A. were married on October 8, 1857 in Jackson Co. Texas, a scant 12 days after her fifteenth birthday. There were four children born to this marriage: John Garrett, Willie, Lorena Ophelia, and Leila Grace who died in babyhood and was followed shortly afterward byOphelia Emily on July 1, 1867. In the 1860 census, Willie was listed as "1/2 year old." The page containing the entry for E.A. Matthews was dated July 16, 1860. This indicates that Willie was probably born in January or February of that year. The value of real estate was listed as $3,000 and personal at $6,900 in that census.

The War Between the States took Allen away from his home for four years. He was a member of the "Texana Guards" - Company K, 2nd Texas Infantry, Confederate States of America. He was in many of the hottest battles. He was captured while in a military hospital and held for several months. He almost died of typhoid fever. For a while, he was thought to be dead, as he had been so very ill. While engaged in the battle of Vicksburg, he as well as his comrades was hungry and sick. Allen declared horsemeat good after Vicksburg.

After the war was over he came back to find everything gone - slaves had been a real asset for the southern people but they were gone. Many men had no resources left. Allen found very little to give him financial support, his wife and baby daughter sickened and died. Life had dealt him many low blows, it seemed.

His wife had requested that her father's family rear the youngest daughter Lorena, but Allen kept the two boys John and Willie with him for most of the time. He opened a store at Texana. For a while this business did very well. Then bad credit, given to men who had no money to pay debts, forced him out of the merchandising business. Around 1868, E.A. remarried. His second wife was Lenora Helena Brackenridge. The Brackenridge family was very wealthy and had a lot of political influence. Their marriage is not recorded in the Jackson Co. records, so a specific date is not known. There were five children born to this marriage. The first four are listed in the 1880 census. The oldest was Tom, most likely named after Lenora's brother. Mary and Erastus A., Jr, followed Tom. The 1910 census lists two additional girls: Eleanor N. and the youngest, and possibly the only one to survive Isabella H. who was to marry a Mr. McIntyre.

The 1880 census for Bexar Co. lists E.A. Matthews and family. They were living outside of San Antonio. Also, the Jackson Co. census lists John Garrett Matthews and William Matthews. John, age 22, was listed as a boarder at the home of Maria York, age 50. She was a "stock raiser" and a widow. Several young men were listed as working on her ranch. John's story also talks about working for the York cousins, as well as when he went to work for the Widow York. William, age 20 and single, was listed as a hired hand working for Newton Mitchell, age 33, a farmer.

E.A. ran for Sheriff of Jackson County and was the successful candidate. During this time, he took a trip back to El Dorado, Ark along with his son William. There were many desperate characters in those days in the area and the sheriff's office was certainly not a safe job. In fact the sheriff before Allen had been killed and his house burned. The theory was robbery as the sheriff was also the tax collector.

While E.A. was sheriff, the family lived in the (Texana) Brackenridge home. Mrs. Matthews was quite uneasy when Allen was away from home performing the duties of his office. This, of course, caused the children of the family to be nervous over their father's absences. Tax monies collected were taken overland to Austin, as there were no train routes there.

As the Brackenridge family resided in San Antonio, Mrs. Matthews wanted to be near them. E.A. took his wife and the second family of children to live in the (San Antonio) Brackenridge home.

After a few years, "incompatibilities" caused E.A. and Mrs. Matthews to separate. She took the younger children and moved to San Marcos and he took Tom, the first son of the second family and went to live with John, his oldest son. Mrs. Matthews, after a while, urged E.A. to allow Tom to come to San Marcos for educational advantages. Reluctantly, E.A. let him go. Later the boy died of yellow fever contracted at Marti Gras in New Orleans. This almost broke E.A.'s heart, as he was not notified that the boy was ill and had died until after his funeral.

Too many low blows had broken his spirit completely. The balance of his life was lived, for the most part, with his son Johnny.

He was an honorable man, a mason, and a devout Baptist. He died at Lytle, Texas on December 25, 1910 and was buried in the Community Cemetery there.

As a side note, Lenora was described as a "widow" in the book on George Brackenridge. In addition, in the 1910 census, she listed herself as a widow. It is also interesting to note that she listed her age as 52 in that census, when she was actually 68. Lenora and several of her children are buried in the San Marcos City Cemetery.

Civil War Information

Additional information concerning E.A. and Leander Garrett was obtained from the National Civil War Archives. Items of interest are included here. Most of the documents obtained from the National Archives were items such as attendance records. These records also show when he was ill and the period of time when he was held captive by Union forces.

Illness

As shown in the attendance records, 4th Sergeant E.A. Matthews was sick in the hospital starting on April 29, 1862. In August of 1862, he was supposed dead since he had not been heard from. However, in October, his name appeared on a list of those taken prisoner at the hospital at Holly Springs on July 2nd. The records do not indicate how or when he was released. However, on December 27, 1862, although still absent, he was promoted from 4th to 3rd Sergeant. Then on January 20, 1862, being present, he was promoted to 2nd Lt. and assigned to duty.

Vicksburg

Prisoners taken at Vicksburg were allowed to sign a parole and return home. The terms of the parole did not allow them to serve in the military until formally exchanged. A copy of the parole was obtained from the archives.

Note

. In the National Park at Vicksburg, among the many monuments, is one for Company K. E.A. is listed there.

Pay

For the two-month period of June and July 1863, E.A. received a total of $160.00. At this time he was listed as a 2nd Lt. of Company K. on the pay record, it also indicates that the Federal Authorities paroled him at Vicksburg, Mississippi on the 7th day of July 1863. He was paid on the 15th of August.

Home Leave

One of the attendance records shows that E.A. had been given twenty-five days leave by General Hebert in September 1864. In addition to this record, a copy of a hand-written letter to Captain Turner in March 1864 is among the information. He was a 2nd Lt. at the time and had a very flowing writing style.

Amnesty

The name of Erastus A. Matthews, 2nd Lt. Company K, 2nd Regiment Texas Infantry "appears on the list of soldiers to whom the Oath of Amnesty has been administered at Victoria, Texas, by Capt. John Scott, 25th Ill's Vol. Inf. and Provost Marshal, Central District of Texas, during the month of August, 1865."

1890 - Confederate Pension Law

The Confederate Pension Law of 1890 allowed for veterans and widows of veterans to receive financial assistance. The book Index to Applications for Texas Confederate Pensions, Kinney, John M., Revised Edition, 1977 Archives Division Texas State Library shows that E.A. Matthews, of Atascosa Co. filed application number 00111.

Company K, 2nd Texas Infantry

Also known as the Texana Guards, this company was one of two to be made up of men from Texana. Clark L. Owen, a resident of Jackson Co., prior to the 1850 census, organized it. Owen had been involved in the War of Independence and had considerable influence in the State of Texas. He had also served in the Texas Senate. Although Owen was considered to be "a strong Union man", at the age of 53 he once again prepared to protect his family and friends by going to war for the South. Captain Owen was killed during the first day of the Battle of Shiloh.

The original 1st Lt. of Company K was Maurice Kavanaugh Simmons. He had also served in the Mexican War where he lost his right leg. A doctor using nothing other than a butcher knife and saw amputated it. With less than one chance in a hundred, Simmons survived. Simmons was a member of the Texana Guards when they went to Galveston to be mustered into the Army. When he was refused permission to serve, the other members of the Guard refused to take the oath. In the face of superior odds, the officer in charge relented and all were sworn in.

After a period of training in March of 1862, the 2nd Texas left Houston by railroad heading for the small settlement of Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee, more commonly known as Shiloh. During this first battle, Captain Owen along with many men – including General Albert Sidney Johnston -- lost their lives. Both sides would claim victory. From Shiloh, they moved down the road about eight miles to Corinth, leaving the severely wounded behind to be helped by the Federals. After the Battle of Corinth, and other conflicts, they moved on to join the Vicksburg Campaign. At the end of that terrible period (July 1863), Confederate forces surrendered. Rather than stay in a camp for paroled Confederate prisoners, all of Company K found transportation across the river between the camp and Texas and headed for home, over three hundred miles away. They were not alone, for many felt like going home until they could be formally exchanged. The commanding officer, General Pemberton reluctantly agreed to provide a formal furlough of forty days, rather than have everyone classified as a deserter.

Formally exchanged in October, the next spring the 2nd Texas was formally reorganized. After three months, there were still less than 200 men present for service. The regiment was never to leave Texas again. After service in and around the southern part of the State, it was finally assigned garrison duty in Galveston. Yellow fever, hunger and inflation struck the city. After the surrender at Appomattox in April 1865, on May 21st, the commanding General at Galveston sent his troops home.

The Yankees Came

Along the coast of Texas was the town of Indianola. Although it was to be later destroyed by a hurricane, during the war it was occupied several times by Union forces. Since it was near Texana, the citizens of Jackson County were very much affected.

On May 9, 1861, Federal forces from Indianola were captured at San Lucas Spring, located between Castroville and San Antonio. One of the Confederate companies involved was the Texana Guards. By late 1863, the area was again under the control of Union forces. In a diary, started in October of 1862, Mrs. Maurice K. Simmons of Texana described the battles between the Blue and Grey that took place in the area. Early in March 1863, citizens of Texana were preparing to flee inland to escape attack by the Union forces located in Indianola. However, by the end of March, those forces had been transferred out of Indianola and sent to Northwestern Louisiana. The city of Indianola was left behind, looted and almost destroyed. The area was once again in the hands of Confederate forces, where it remained until the end of the conflict.

The Newspaper Article

The following is from a newspaper article written sometime after 1910.

Original Membership of Company K, 2nd Texas Infantry, C.S.A.

Capt. C.L. Owen, killed at Shiloh

1st Lieut. A. B. Dodd, resigned at Galveston

2nd Lieut. M. K. Simmons

3rd Lieut. J. M. Haynie, killed at Corinth

1st Sergeant Henry McDowell

2nd Sergeant L. Garrett

3rd Sergeant W. B. McDowell - died in hospital

4th Sergeant E. A. Matthews

1st Corporal F. W. Armstrong

2nd Corporal Geo. F. Simons

3rd Corporal E. P. Clary

4th Corporal S. D. Dutart

Privates

Andrews, Chas. French, Jim O'Berry, 4^th

Ainsworth, Thos. Futhey, J. M. O'Berry, 5^t

Allen, J. W. Gisler, Abe Openhimer, Zack

Brook, Wm G. Gorman, A. Payne, Richard

Batey, Hogan Green, Michall Probst, Louis

Beetley, S. Z. Jr. Harlan, Thos. Rogers, John

Brook, Jesse Hicks, John Robb, Samuel

Beaumont, Frank Harper, Geo. Smith, Ralph

Baylor, Geo. Harter, Frank Simons, Henry

Bankhead, Zack Jordan, Amos Stulting, John

Bolling, J. A. Kirk, W. H. Sanford, John

Brandt, Max Logan, John L. Stayton, Wm.

Burnett, David Laconey, Sam Stayton, 2^nd

Bourke, John Menefee, Thos. Sims, Wm.

Bourke, James Menefee, Judge Sheppard, Wm.

Coleman, Wm. McDowell, Eugene Sheppard, George

Coleman, Wiley Merchant, Mack Wells, L. F.

Ewing, Thos. Myers, Henry Wilkins, Richard

Ferrell, Wm. Mills, Henry Whaley, Chas.

Flare, George O'Berry, 1st Wiseman, Wm.

Fluery, Robt. O'Berry, 2nd Wiseman, Wright

O'Berry, 3rd

Last week we promised to give, as complete as possible, a list of members of Co. "K", the first military company organized in Texana during the Civil War. At that time we did not realize that any member of this famous band resided in Edna, and we were relying on "Uncle" Martin Vincent to furnish us with the names, as he was able to call off from memory many of the names. Maj. L. Garrett, a prominent and life long citizen of this county and city, saw the list of officers published last week and naturally was deeply interested in it, as he was a charter member of the company and served in it throughout the entire struggle. Another old veteran, who was likewise a charter member and served the full time, happened to be visiting in Edna at this time. He is W. G. Brook, now of Logan Point, La., and is visiting his brother-in-law, W. J. Evans, of this city. For four years Major Garrett, who was sergeant, called the roll for Co "K", and Mr. Brook said that he never used a list, but called every man's name from memory. With the aid of Maj. Garrett, Mr. Brook and "Uncle" Martin Vincent, the Herald is able to give this week 79 of the original 82 men who composed Co "K".

There are only four known living members of this company. They are Maj. Garrett, Edna; W. G. Brook, Logans Point, La.; Jim Fluery, Blessing; Bob Fluery, Palacios; and perhaps Wiley Coleman.

Company "K" was in some of the most famous battles of the Civil War. All told they were in fourteen battles and skirmishes. The hottest contests these old Jackson County citizens participated in were Shiloh, two battles at Corinth, Farmington, Iuka, Holly Springs, Talahatchie, Green Wood, Chicashaw Bayou and Vicksburg.

The Letter

The following is the text of the letter written by E.A. requesting a short leave.

Camp Sydney Johnson, Texas,

March 29th 1864

Capt E. F. Turner

A. A. Genl

Captain,

I have the honor to respectfully represent that there are two officers of my Company present for duty, the Capt. And myself, the First Lieutenant being detailed as A.A. 2nd master for the Regt., there being only three officers in my company. I have been in the service of the Confederate States since the 12th day of Oct. 1861 and was elected a Lieutenant of my Co. on the 7th day of Jan 1863; and since I have been an Officer have not had a Leave of Absence; have never been on detached duty from my company, nor have I ever been reported absent without leave; neither have I been absent on sick leave. I would therefore respectfully ask that a Leave of Absence be granted to me for Thirty days that I may have an opportunity of visiting my family as my services and attention are much needed by my affairs at home for a short time. I would not ask for leave at this time were it not that the order for furloughing the men of my Regt. is again in force.

Respectfully your obdt Servt.

E. A. Matthews

2nd Lt. Co K, 2nd Tex. Vol Infty