Indian Territory & Carter County Pioneers

GEORGE HENRY BRUCE

George Henry Bruce was born April 23, 1841 in Vermont. He moved to Gonzales County, Texas, in 1860. There he enlisted in Company E, 8th Texas Calvary (called Terry's Texas Rangers). He was sworn into service at Houston in September, 1861, by Lieutenant Sparks, Confederate States of America. He was ordered to Bowling Green, Kentucky, and there mounted. He was in active service throughout the war. He was shot through the left arm near Shelbyville, Tennessee, and in the left leg on July 4, 1863, at Cumberland Mountain, Tennessee. The total number of men in his regiment was 1,170: killed, 165: wounded, 280: died from disease and exposure, 180. The unit surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina.

George was a member of the John H. Morgan Camp of the United Confederate Veterans at Ardmore, Oklahoma. He was a trustee of the Confederate Home in Ardmore, and treasurer of the board.

The 1916 edition of the Ardmore Statesman City Directory was dedicated to George Henry Bruce. Mr. Bruce or "Uncle George", as most of his acquaintances affectionately called him, was the City Clerk and the Clerk of the School Board of Ardmore. Quoting from the dedication, written by E. L. Gregory, Editor and Manager of the Ardmore Statesman: "He is probably the best known man in Ardmore. He is likewise one of the city's earliest settlers, having come to Ardmore the year after the Santa Fe Railroad was built, and having resided here continuously since. He has given us much aid in compiling this book, and we consider it an honor, as it is indeed a pleasure, to dedicate it to him." George Bruce died in 1919.

LRS, extracted from D. M. Hailey's Confederate Veterans of the State of Oklahoma

Indian Territory & Carter County Pioneers, pp. 87. [full citation unknown]