DUANE
Duane's take
The marker's got the word on this one, and here's how I tell it. Lampasas County — organized in 1856, and by 1860 it held 1,028 souls out on that rolling Texas frontier. Now, when the question of secession came to a vote in 1861, it wasn't a landslide.
It was close enough to make a man sweat: 85 in favor, 75 against. Ten votes. That's the kind of margin where you know your neighbors a little differently afterward.
But the decision was made, and Lampasas County was going to war. The county sent two units into the Texas State Troops, serving in the 2nd Frontier District. One unit went to the 17th Texas Infantry.
Two more units rode with the 27th Brigade of the Texas Militia. That's five units of fighting men, drawn from a county that barely cracked a thousand people. And still, that wasn't everyone.
Because someone had to stay. Forty-eight Minute Men, organized into six patrols, held the home front — guarding property and watching over the families of the men who'd gone off to serve. Here's the part that sticks with you though: after a week of duty, each unit rotated back home to help the women and children tending the cattle and working the crops.
War or no war, the land didn't stop demanding. The county also helped supply frontier troops and miners working inside Longhorn Caverns. And all the while, this was not peaceful country.
Indians were still roaming here during the Civil War — stealing horses, killing hunters, killing others. The men who stayed weren't just waiting. They were surviving.
Ten votes separated Lampasas County from a different story. But the story they got was this one.
What the marker says
Organized 1856; had 1028 people in 1860; favored secession by 85 to 75 vote in 1861. Sent 2 units to serve in Texas State Troops, 2nd Frontier District; one unit to 17th Texas Infantry; 2 units to 27th Brigade, Texas Militia. Also had 48 Minute Men in 6 patrols to guard home front and property of men away at war. After a week of duty, each unit returned home to aid women and children tending cattle, crops. Helped supply frontier troops and miners in Longhorn Caverns. Indians still roamed here during Civil War, stealing horses, killing hunters and others.