Sherod Hunter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sherod Hunter
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| Born | March 5, 1834 Lincoln County, Tennessee |
| Died | Unknown (c. 1870) Unknown (possibly Mexico) |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1865 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Unit | Company A, Arizona Rangers |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War Second Bayou Teche Campaign Red River Campaign |
Sherod Hunter (born March 5, 1834) was a military leader during the American Civil War. He commanded a unit of the Confederate Army in what is now Arizona. Later, he led other Confederate cavalry groups in the western parts of the war.
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Early Life of Sherod Hunter
Sherod Hunter was born on March 5, 1834, in Lincoln County, Tennessee. Sadly, he became an orphan in 1840 and was raised by different relatives. In November 1855, Hunter married the daughter of his business partner, Thomas Goodrich. They ran a grocery business together.
In 1857, Hunter faced a difficult time when his wife and young son passed away. After these sad events, he sold his share of the business. Around 1858 or 1859, he moved west. He settled and began farming land near the Mimbres River in Doña Ana County, which is now Luna County, New Mexico Territory.
Sherod Hunter in the Civil War
Hunter began serving the Confederacy in May 1861. This happened after local Apache people forced him to leave his farm in southwestern New Mexico. He joined Captain George Frazer's Company of Arizona Rangers. On August 1, 1861, he was promoted to Lieutenant in this unit.
Confederate Arizona Mission
Hunter's company was part of a group of Texas soldiers led by Colonel John R. Baylor. This group had recently taken control of Mesilla, New Mexico. In January 1862, Hunter, who was now a captain, was sent west. General Henry Hopkins Sibley sent him to Tucson, Arizona. Hunter's job was to protect people in Tucson who supported the Confederacy from Apache raids. He also had to watch for any Union forces coming from California.
Hunter's group had 54 men. They arrived in Tucson on February 28, 1862. This marked the start of Confederate control of the town.
Battles and Retreat
Hunter's men fought against the California Column (Union forces) at Stanwix Station and Picacho Pass. After these battles, they had to retreat east to Texas in May 1862. During this retreat, four of Hunter's men were killed by Apaches in the Dragoon Mountains at the First Battle of Dragoon Springs. Hunter fought back four days later at the Second Battle of Dragoon Springs. The Union Army then took back control of Tucson on May 20.
Later Service in the War
After his time in Arizona, Hunter rejoined General Sibley's army. He continued to serve in Texas and Louisiana. On June 23, 1863, Hunter, now a major, took part in a successful attack. His forces attacked Union troops at Brashear City, Louisiana. The Union soldiers surrendered to Hunter after a short fight.
