DUANE
Duane's take
The way the State of Texas tells it on a marker in Travis County, here's the story of John A. Wharton. He came to Texas from Tennessee — and Texas, as it turns out, was exactly the right place for a man like him.
Prominent orator. Jurist. Prosecutor.
The kind of fellow who could hold a courtroom in the palm of his hand just by opening his mouth. Then 1861 arrived, and the whole world changed. Wharton stood as a delegate to the Texas Secession Convention that year, and when the moment came, he didn't just make speeches about war — he went and joined one.
He entered the Confederate Army as a Captain, Company B, Terry's Texas Rangers. That regiment would go on to write its name across some of the hardest fighting of the entire conflict. Now here's where the story takes a turn.
After Terry was killed, Wharton was elected Colonel and led that famous regiment through the Battle of Shiloh and the Kentucky Campaign of 1862. Two wounds along the way — two — and still standing. Standing well enough, in fact, to be made Brigadier General for bravery in action.
And he wasn't done yet. In 1863, after brilliant fighting in the Chickamauga Campaign, he was promoted to Major General. Then came 1864 and the Red River Campaign, where Wharton gallantly led a cavalry corps with one purpose: to prevent the invasion of Texas.
From Tennessee to Texas. From the courtroom to the cavalry. John A.
Wharton fought hard to keep the ground beneath him, and the State of Texas made sure that story wouldn't be forgotten.
What the marker says
Came to Texas from Tennessee. Prominent orator, jurist, and prosecutor. Delegate Texas Secession Convention 1861. Joined Confederate Army as Captain Company "B" Terry's Texas Rangers. After Terry was killed Wharton elected Colonel and led this famous regiment Battle Shiloh and Kentucky Campaign 1862. Twice wounded and made Brigadier General for bravery in action. Promoted Major General 1863 after brilliant fighting Chickamauga Campaign. Gallantly led cavalry corps Red River Campaign to prevent invasion of Texas 1864. Erected by the State of Texas 1963