Today in history (general history)/ On This Day in Confederate History/ Confederate general birthdays, Aug. 2.

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On This Day in Confederate History, August 2.

1861: Fort Stanton, New Mexico Territory is evacuated by the Federals and is occupied by Lt. Col. John Baylor's 300-man 2nd Texas Cavalry Regiment (aka 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles). Baylor was also the first governor of the Confederate Territory of Arizona. He was also promoted to colonel. Here is an overview of the regiment from the National Park Service: Battle Unit Details: "2nd Cavalry Regiment, about 1,200 strong, was organized in May 1861, under the designation of the 2nd Texas Mounted Rifles. It was reorganized in April 1862, as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. The men were recruited in San Antonio, Houston, Marshall, and Beeville, and the counties of Anderson, Houston, Nacogdoches, and Cherokee. Serving in the Trans-Mississippi Department, it was active in various conflicts in the New Mexico Territory and Louisiana then saw action in the defense of Galveston. In November 1862, the unit totaled 752 effective, had 19 officers and 167 men in July 1864, and about 150 present in April 1865. Although it was included in the surrender on June 2, it had previously disbanded. The field officers were Colonels John S. Ford and Charles L. Pyron; Lieutenant Colonels John R. Baylor and James Walker; and Majors John Donelson, Matthew Nolan, William A. Spencer, and Edward Waller, Jr."

Unidentified soldier in Western 

Confederate uniform with a musket.

(Liljenquist Collection, Library of Congress)

Col. John Baylor

1862: Confederate and Federal cavalry skirmish at Orange Court House, Va. during a reconnaissance in force from Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks' II Corps. The 17th Battalion Virginia Cavalry was picketing the area when overwhelmed by the Federals. The 7th Virginia Cavalry, under Col., later Brig. Gen. William "Grumble" Jones, came as reinforcements. Jones' men charged and the Yankees countercharged and the Virginians were again overwhelmed. When Jones was surrounded by Yankees, the cantankerous Confederate hacked his way out with his sword. The Confederates retreated to a plantation south of the town. There are widely conflicting estimates of casualties on both sides.

Col. William "Grumble" Jones

Confederate General Birthdays, August 2.

None.