Horace Randal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Horace Randal
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| Born | January 4, 1833 McNairy County, Tennessee |
| Died | May 2, 1864 (aged 31) Grant County, Arkansas |
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| Allegiance |  United States of America Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1854–1861 (USA) 1861–1864 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Second Lieutenant, USA Colonel, CSAAssigned to duty as: Brigadier General |
| Commands held | 28th Texas Cavalry Regiment 2nd Brigade, Walker's Division |
| Battles/wars | Apache Wars American Civil War |
Horace Randal (born January 4, 1833 – died May 2, 1864) was a brave colonel in the Confederate States Army. He fought during the American Civil War. Randal was badly hurt while leading his troops at the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry in Arkansas. This happened on April 30, 1864, and he passed away two days later.
Even though Confederate President Jefferson Davis didn't officially promote him, General E. Kirby Smith recognized Randal's skills. After Randal's excellent performance at the Battle of Mansfield, General Smith gave him the duties of a brigadier general. This happened on April 13, 1864. However, President Davis later canceled this special assignment.
Randal finished his studies at the United States Military Academy in 1854. He was serving as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. When the southern states decided to leave the Union, Randal resigned from the U.S. Army on February 27, 1861. Soon after, he became a colonel in charge of the 28th Texas Cavalry Regiment.
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Early Life and Military Training
Horace Randal was born on January 4, 1833, in McNairy County, Tennessee. When he was five years old, his family moved to Texas in 1838. His father, Dr. Leonard Randal, was an army surgeon. He later became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas.
Horace Randal spent five years at the United States Military Academy. He graduated in 1854. He was first assigned to the infantry. In 1855, he joined the 1st U.S. Dragoons. He fought against Native Americans in the southwest. In 1857, United States Secretary of War Jefferson Davis praised Randal. He recommended Randal for his brave actions against the Apaches.
Randal married twice. His first wife was Julia Bassett, and his second was Nannie E. Taylor.
In 1861, Randal was in Washington, D.C., just before Abraham Lincoln became President of the United States. The top general of the U.S. Army, Winfield Scott, offered Randal a higher rank. But Randal chose to support his home state of Texas. He joined the Confederate States of America. He left the U.S. Army on February 27, 1861.
Joining the Confederate Army
Horace Randal became a first lieutenant in the Confederate States Army on March 26, 1861. He was told to report to General Braxton Bragg in Pensacola, Florida. Randal was supposed to work as a quartermaster, managing supplies. However, Randal felt that other officers who were less experienced than him had received higher ranks. So, he resigned from this position.
Randal planned to go back to Texas. He wanted to gather a group of soldiers for the Confederate Army. But his brother-in-law, Major General Gustavus Woodson Smith, asked him to stay. Randal then became a volunteer helper on Smith's team in northern Virginia. Even though President Davis was hesitant to re-hire an officer who had just resigned, Smith convinced him. Randal became a lieutenant and an aide to General Smith. He became a favorite officer of General Joseph E. Johnston. This was when Randal worked as an inspector for G. W. Smith's corps in the winter of 1861–1862.
On December 19, 1861, Randal was given permission to form a cavalry regiment in Texas. Randal was known as an excellent horseman by his friends, like John Bell Hood. On February 12, 1862, he returned to Texas. He took command of the new 28th Texas Cavalry Regiment. This group of soldiers often fought on foot, not on horseback. By December 1862, Randal was leading a brigade under Brigadier General Henry McCulloch.
Fighting in the Civil War
Randal's brigade was kept ready during the Battle of Milliken's Bend. This battle was part of the Siege of Vicksburg.
On November 8, 1863, General E. Kirby Smith suggested that Randal should be promoted to brigadier general. But nothing happened with this request. Some historians believe this was because Randal's group of soldiers was smaller than a typical brigade at that time.
Key Battles and Leadership
At the Battle of Mansfield on April 8, 1864, Randal's brigade showed great courage. They broke through the Union Army's lines. They captured about 500 enemy soldiers and the Union Army's supply wagons. Randal and his men led the chase against the fleeing Union forces. Because of his excellent performance, General E. Kirby Smith assigned Randal the duties of a brigadier general on April 13, 1864. Randal and his brigade also fought very well at the Battle of Pleasant Hill on April 9, 1864.
Randal was badly wounded while leading a charge at the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry. This battle was the final part of the Union Camden Expedition. It was led by Major General Frederick Steele. This expedition was also part of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks's larger Red River Campaign. Randal was wounded on April 30, 1864. He died two days later, on May 2, 1864. He was first buried near the battlefield.
His Legacy Today
Later, Horace Randal's body was moved. He was reburied in Old Marshall Cemetery in Marshall, Texas. Even though the spelling is a bit different, Randall County, Texas is named in honor of Horace Randal.
