DUANE
Duane's take
The marker tells it this way, and I'm just the messenger. John Bankhead Magruder — Virginia native, West Point graduate, class of 1830, and a man whose story seems to belong to a different, wilder century altogether. Though, come to think of it, his century was pretty wild on its own.
For meritorious service in the Mexican War — that's 1846 to 1848 — Magruder was promoted to lieutenant colonel. Not a bad run. But a man like Magruder was never going to stay put in one uniform for long.
In 1861, he resigned from the United States Army and joined the Confederacy. Now here's where Galveston enters the picture. As commander of the Texas District, Magruder faced a Federal blockade sitting right on top of this coast like a lid on a pot.
And he overcame it. He regained control of Galveston and the Texas Gulf Coast — which, if you've ever stood on this island and looked out at that water, you understand is no small thing. But the Civil War ended, as wars do, and what followed for Magruder was something few men could claim: he fled to Mexico and took up service in the army of Maximilian himself.
Born August 15, 1810. Died February 19, 1871. From West Point to a Mexican emperor's ranks — that is one long, strange road, and Galveston was the pivot point right in the middle of it.
What the marker says
(August 15, 1810 - February 19, 1871) Virginia native John Bankhead Magruder graduated from the U. S. Military Academy at West Point in 1830. For meritorious service in the Mexican War (1846-48) Magruder was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He later resigned from the U. S. Army to join the Confederacy in 1861. As commander of the Texas District he overcame a Federal blockade and regained control of Galveston and the Texas Gulf Coast. After the Civil War he fled to Mexico and served in Maximillian's army.