DUANE
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Duane's take
Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about this stretch of Texas history. Now, Culberson County carries a name, and there's a story behind that name worth stopping for. David B.
Culberson. Born 1830, died 1900. A Georgian by birth, a Texan by choice; he came to Texas in 1856, and whatever he found here, it stuck.
Now here's the part that gives the story some texture: when the question of secession came around, Culberson was against it. Opposed it. And yet, and yet, when the time came, he helped raise the 18th Texas Infantry as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Confederate Army.
A man who didn't want the war, but when it came, he didn't step aside either. By 1862, he'd risen to commanding Colonel of the 18th. That's the kind of detail that asks you to sit with it a moment.
He served in the Vicksburg area, and the war did what war does; it broke his health. The winter of 1862 to 1863, broken health forced his resignation of command. That's not a quiet exit from history, though.
Texas still needed him. As Adjutant and Inspector General of Texas from 1863 to 1864, Culberson was responsible for protecting the frontier against Indian attacks and Union invasion both at once. Now the marker doesn't let you forget what that frontier looked like.
The war had stirred up turmoil among the Indian nations living in Kansas and the Indian Territory, and Texans on the frontier felt the consequences. Most Cherokees, Choctaws, Creeks, and Seminoles sided with the South. Others sided with the North.
A few Comanches made a treaty with the Confederacy; but the great majority of Comanches, along with their allies the Kiowas, held aloof from either side entirely. Held aloof, and plundered the frontier at will. The Apaches and Kickapoos did the same, operating out of Mexico.
Texas and Confederate troops, despite poor arms and poor mounts, held those defense lines until the war's end. So you've got a man who opposed secession, fought for the Confederacy anyway, survived Vicksburg until his body gave out, then turned around and spent the next two years trying to hold together a frontier being pressed from every direction. David B.
Culberson. The county bears his name, and now you know what that name cost.
What the marker says
[front side] 1830-1900. Native Georgian. Came to Texas 1856. Although opposed to secession he aided in raising 18th Texas Infantry as Lt. Colonel, C.S.A. Made commanding Colonel of 18th in 1862. After service in Vicksburg area broken health forced resignation of command winter 1862-63. As Adjutant and Inspector General of Texas 1863-64 responsible for protection of frontier against Indian attacks, Union invasion. A Memorial to Texans Who Served the Confederacy. Erected by the State of Texas 1963. [reverse side] War brought turmoil to Indians living in Kansas and the Indian Territory, with unfortunate results for Texans on the frontier. Most Cherokees, Choctaws, Creeks and Seminoles aided the South, while others adhered to the North. Few Comanches made a treaty with the South; but a great majority with their allies, the Kiowas, held aloof from either side and plundered the frontier at will. Apaches and Kickapoos did the same from Mexico. Texas and Confederate troops, despite poor arms and mounts, held defense lines until war's end.