Click 👉TODAY IN HISTORY (general history) Feb. 19. 

ON THIS DAY IN CONFEDERATE HISTORY, Feb. 19.

1861: President Davis begins assembling his first cabinet in Montgomery, Ala. which would include Vice President Alexander Stephens, Robert Toombs of Georgia, Secretary of State; Christopher Memminger of South Carolina; Leroy Pope Walker of Alabama, Secretary of War; John Reagan of Texas, Postmaster General; Judah P. Benjamin of Louisiana, Attorney General; and Stephen Mallory of Florida, Secretary of the Navy. In New Orleans, the State of Louisiana gains control of the federal paymaster's office.

The first Confederate cabinet

1863: Brig. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest skirmishes this day with the Federal Maj. Gen. John A. McClernand's cavalry near Yazoo Pass, Mississippi. One of the regiments in the fight was the 27th Texas Cavalry, also known as Whitfield's Legion.

Maj. John T. Whitfield and his

brother John W. Whitfield posing

in front of the 27th Tex. Cav. flag.

(Houston Public Library)

1865: Captain Felix Poché writes in his diary, "Today I met Capt. [J.N.] Babin [of Co. B, 9th (Ogden's) La. Cav.] who comes from below with a squad of men and some deserting prisoners. Capt. Babin had a newspaper from N.O. in which was published correspondence between Col. [Charles] Pyron of our army [2nd Tex. Cav.], and a Mexican general, who speaks very amicably and assures us of the friendship and sympathy of his government. He gives us hope that France will intervene soon in our affairs. Pray to God that he is not deceiving us."

CONFEDERATE GENERAL BIRTHDAYS, Feb. 19.

None.