Captain Andrew Caddell

Duane's take

Here's how the marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Now, most men who fight at San Jacinto, they carry that with them the rest of their days, and Andrew Caddell was no different. He was born in North Carolina, October 12, 1795, and by the time Texas needed men willing to stand and fight, he was there.

He fought at San Jacinto as a private. Not a captain yet, not a commander, just a man in the line doing what needed doin'. But that wasn't the end of his story.

He went on to command a company of volunteers, and somewhere along the way, the title Captain found him and stuck. He lived until October 15, 1869. Three days past his birthday.

Make of that what you will. And beside him through all of it was his wife, Rhoda Doty Caddell, born January 27, 1801, a woman who outlasted her captain by more than a decade, finally passing on March 18, 1880. Two people, one marker, one corner of Bell County holding the weight of both their lives.

Sometimes that's all a story needs.

What the marker says

Fought at San Jacinto as a private. Later commanded a company of volunteers. Born in North Carolina October 12, 1795 died October 15, 1869. His wife Rhoda Doty Caddell. Born January 27, 1801. Died March 18, 1880.