DUANE
Duane's take
The marker tells it this way, and I'm passing it right along to you. Colonel William L. Moody.
Born 1828, died 1920 — and if those two numbers don't make you sit up a little straighter in that seat, just wait till you hear what came in between. Moody came to Texas from Virginia in 1852, and Texas, it seems, suited him just fine. When the Civil War broke out, he organized Company G of the 7th Texas Infantry — the very first Freestone County unit to march into battle.
He wasn't just the organizer, either. He was the captain. His men.
His command. His war to fight. Now, the war had plans of its own.
February of 1862, at Fort Donelson, Tennessee, Moody was captured. That could've been the end of the story for a lesser man. But he was exchanged — and what happened next is where the tale really gets its teeth.
He came back to the fight, and he came back different. He won promotion all the way to colonel, and the reason cited wasn't strategy or paperwork — it was bravery on the battlefield. The marker says he was commended specifically for personally leading and rallying his men in hand-to-hand combat, in thick woods.
Think on that for a second. Thick woods. Hand to hand.
Leading from the front. He was wounded for his trouble, and he returned to Texas, where he served until the war ended. Then in 1866, Colonel Moody moved to Galveston, and he brought that same relentless energy to a whole new arena — financial business, philanthropic work, civic affairs.
A leader in all of it. One man. 1828 to 1920. Virginia to Texas to a Tennessee battlefield to Galveston.
The marker just holds the facts. The rest, friend, you can feel in the bones of it.
What the marker says
(1828 - 1920) Came to Texas from Virginia, 1852. Organized and was captain of Co. G, 7th Texas Infantry, the first Freestone County unit to go into battle in the Civil War. Captured at Fort Donelson, Tenn., Feb. 1862. exchanged, soon won promotion to colonel for bravery on battlefield. Commended for personally leading and rallying men in hand-to-hand combat in thick woods. Wounded and returned to Texas, where he served till war ended. In 1866 moved to Galveston. Became leader in financial business, philanthropic and civic affairs. (1964)