2nd Texas Infantry Regiment

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2nd Texas Infantry Regiment
Private Charles H. Ruff, 2nd Texas Infantry Regiment
Active1861 1865
Country Confederate States of America
Allegiance Confederate States of America, Texas
Branch Confederate States Army
TypeInfantry
SizeRegiment
Nickname2nd Texas Sharpshooters
EngagementsAmerican Civil War
Commanders
Notable
commanders
John Creed Moore
Noble L. McGinnis
William P. Rogers
Ashbel Smith

The 2nd Regiment, Texas Infantry was an infantry regiment from Texas that served with Confederate States Army in the American Civil War. The regiment was organized by the then Captain John Creed Moore, who would become the regiment's 1st Colonel. Many of the men were from Houston and Galveston.[1]

Following the ratification of Texas' Ordinance of Secession on February 20, 1861, militia companies from across the state started forming to protect the new Confederacy. Once these independent companies were formed, they were ordered to Galveston to defend the Texas coast. By September of 1861, the regiment was brought to full strength, and the Confederate government in Richmond was notified. The Confederate War Department accepted Moore's Regiment as the First Texas Infantry Regiment. However, due to the political influence of Texas Senator Louis T. Wigfall, his battalion of Texas companies, which independently moved to Richmond, received the honor of being named First Texas. Thus, Moore's regimental designation was changed to Second Texas.[2][page needed]

Recruitment Areas of the 2nd Texas Infantry Regiment
Company Nickname Recruitment Area
ASan Jacinto GuardsHarris County
BConfederate GuardsHarris County
CBayland GuardsChambers County
DConfederate GreysHarris County
EN/ARobertson County
FN/AGalveston County
GBurleson GuardsBurleson County
HLexington GreysLee County
IWilson RiflesGonzales County
KTexana GuardsJackson County

Notable battles that the regiment has been involved in include the Battle of Shiloh, the Second Battle of Corinth, and the Siege of Vicksburg.[3]

Second Battle of Corinth

Confederate dead outside the parapet of Battery Robinett on October 5. Col. William P. Rogers of the 2nd Texas lies in the left background-his dead horse is to the right
Confederate dead lay gathered at the bottom of the parapet of Battery Robinett on October 5. Col. William P. Rogers of the 2nd Texas lies in the left foreground

The regiment assaulted Battery Robinett, a redan protected by a five-foot ditch, sporting three 20-pounder Parrott rifles commanded by Lt. Henry Robinett. Colonel William P. Rogers, a Mexican–American War comrade of President Jefferson Davis, was among those killed in the charge.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Rogers seized his colors to keep them from falling again and jumped a five-foot ditch, leaving his dying horse and assaulted the ramparts of the battery. When canister shot killed him, he was the fifth bearer of his colors to fall that day.[11][a]

Siege of Vicksburg

Union assault at Vicksburg on May 22, 1863

The regiment was distinguished for its defense of a crescent-shaped fortification, which came to be known as the Second Texas Lunette. The fortification was located in the center of the Vicksburg line of defense constructed to guard the Baldwin Ferry Road. The lunette was the subject of tremendous artillery bombardment and repeated Union assaults directed against the lunette on May 22, 1863.[13]

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