Samuel B. Maxey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samuel Bell Maxey
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| United States Senator from Texas |
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| In office March 4, 1875 – March 3, 1887 |
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| Preceded by | James W. Flanagan |
| Succeeded by | John H. Reagan |
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 9th district |
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| In office 1861 |
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| Preceded by | Jesse H. Parsons |
| Succeeded by | Rice Maxey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 30, 1825 Tompkinsville, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | August 16, 1895 (aged 70) Eureka Springs, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | United States Military Academy |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service | United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1849 (USA) 1861–1865 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Brevet First Lieutenant (USA) Major General (CSA) |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Samuel Bell Maxey (born March 30, 1825 – died August 16, 1895) was an American soldier, lawyer, and politician. He was born in Tompkinsville, Kentucky, and later lived in Paris, Texas. Maxey served as a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. After the war, he became a U.S. Senator for Texas.
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Early Life and Education
Samuel Maxey was born on March 30, 1825, in Tompkinsville, Kentucky. His parents were Rice and Lucy Maxey. His father was a lawyer. In 1834, his family moved to Albany, Kentucky. There, his father became the County Clerk.
In 1842, young Samuel was accepted into the United States Military Academy. This famous school is located in West Point, New York. Even though he often had low grades, Maxey graduated in 1846. He became a second lieutenant in the army.
Military Career
After graduating, Maxey joined the 7th Infantry Regiment. This unit was fighting in the Mexican–American War. Maxey joined his regiment in Monterrey, Mexico.
Fighting in the Mexican-American War
Maxey was recognized for his bravery during the war. He was promoted to first lieutenant for his actions. This happened in the battles of Cerro Gordo and Contreras in 1847. He also fought in the battles of Churubusco and Molino del Rey. He was put in charge of a police company in Mexico City.
In 1848, Maxey moved to Jefferson Barracks in Missouri. The next year, he left the army. He went back to Albany, Kentucky. He studied law with his father and became a lawyer in 1851.
Moving to Texas and Starting a Family
On June 19, 1853, Samuel Maxey married Marilda Cass Denton. In 1857, Samuel and his father moved their families to a small farm. It was located just south of Paris, Texas. They continued their law practice there.
American Civil War Service
In 1858, Samuel Maxey was elected as the district attorney for Lamar County, Texas. In 1861, he was a delegate at Texas's Secession Convention. This convention decided if Texas would leave the United States.
Joining the Confederate Army
That same year, Maxey was elected to the state Senate. However, he chose to serve in the military instead. His father, Rice Maxey, took his place in the Senate. In September, the Confederate government allowed Samuel to form his own regiment. He became its colonel.
In December, Colonel Maxey led his 1,120-man Ninth Texas Regiment. They traveled from Bonham, Texas to Memphis, Tennessee. They were supposed to join General Albert Sidney Johnston. However, Maxey was separated from his regiment. He was tasked with building bridges near Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Maxey's Role as a General
On March 7, 1862, Maxey was promoted to brigadier general. His regiment fought hard at the Battle of Shiloh, but he was not there. He saw little action during this time. He did fight in the Siege of Port Hudson in 1863.
In December 1863, General Maxey became the commander of the Indian Territory. He was successful in leading raids and capturing supplies. This helped prevent the Union Army from invading Texas. General Edmund Kirby Smith assigned him as a major general. However, this rank was never officially approved by Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
In 1865, Maxey was ordered to Houston, Texas. He was to take command of a new division. He handed over command of the Indian Territory to Brigadier General Stand Watie on February 21, 1865.
End of War and Return Home
Maxey's new command faced many problems, like soldiers leaving the army. It was also hard to get supplies. Feeling discouraged, he resigned from the army on May 22, 1865. He went back home to Paris, Texas. In July, he officially surrendered to Union Major General Edward Canby. He was a prisoner of war but allowed to stay at home on parole.
Political Career After the War
As a high-ranking Confederate officer, Maxey was not allowed to hold political office. He also could not practice law. In October 1865, he asked for a presidential pardon. He finally received it on July 20, 1867. President Andrew Johnson granted the pardon after a personal request from Ulysses S. Grant. Grant had been Maxey's classmate at West Point. After this, Maxey started practicing law again in Paris.
Serving in the U.S. Senate
In 1872, Maxey ran for the U.S. Congress. He lost in the Democratic Party election. In 1873, Governor Edmund J. Davis offered Maxey a position as a Texas District Court judge. Maxey turned it down because he had worked on cases in that court as a lawyer.
In January 1875, the Texas Legislature elected him to the United States Senate. He served two terms, from March 4, 1875, to March 3, 1887. As a senator, he worked to improve mail and train services in Texas. He also spoke out against higher taxes on imported goods. He was replaced by John H. Reagan.
Retirement and Legacy
Maxey returned to practicing law in Paris. He worked with his wife's nephew, Benjamin Denton, and Henry William Lightfoot. Lightfoot later married Maxey's adopted daughter, Dora Maxey. Maxey retired in 1892 when his nephew, Sam Bell Maxey Long, joined the law firm.
Samuel Maxey died on August 16, 1895, in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. He had gone there for medical treatment. Samuel and Marilda Maxey are buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in Paris. The house he built in 1867 is now a historical site. Visitors can explore it today.
Camp Maxey was a training camp during World War II. It was located near Paris, Texas. The camp was named in honor of Samuel Bell Maxey.
