Henry M. Elmore facts for kids
Henry Marshall Elmore was a Colonel for the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. He led a group of soldiers called the 20th Texas Infantry. Even though his group didn't fight much outside of Texas, they played a big part in helping the Confederates take back Galveston in January 1863. This important event is known as the Battle of Galveston.
Early Life of Henry Elmore
Henry M. Elmore came from one of the oldest families in the Southern United States. His first family member in America arrived in Virginia way back in 1647. Like many families at the time, Elmore's ancestors moved West and South with each new generation.
Henry M. Elmore was born in Laurens County, South Carolina. He later moved with his father, General John Archer Elmore, to what is now Elmore County, Alabama. His father had fought in the American Revolution. In 1853, Henry Marshall Elmore moved his own family to Texas. He helped found the town of Waverly, Texas. The town was named after the famous "Waverley" novels by Sir Walter Scott.
Elmore's Role in the Civil War
Henry Elmore helped create and organize the 20th Texas Infantry Regiment. This happened in Galveston, Texas, during the early summer of 1862. Many of the men in his command had served in another regiment before. They were mostly from counties like Waller, Montgomery, and Galveston in Texas.
A large number of the soldiers in this regiment were middle-aged men. The 20th Texas Infantry was given the job of defending the Texas coast. Their area of responsibility stretched from the Sabine River all the way to Galveston. Even though they did not fight in battles outside of Texas, they were very important. The 20th Infantry played a key role when the Confederates recaptured Galveston in January 1863. Besides Colonel Henry Marshall Elmore, other important leaders in the regiment included Lieutenant Colonel Leonard A. Abercrombie and Major Robert E. Bell.
Later Life and Legacy
In Waverly, Henry Elmore was a very respected citizen. He gave land for important community places. These included the local Methodist Church and academies for both boys and girls. He is buried in the Waverly Cemetery, a place he also helped establish.
