Reminiscences of the Boys in Gray
Clem Basset

CLEM BASSETT, Richmond, Tex.—Born Jan. 7, 1842, at Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas, and enlisted in the Confederate Army at Houston, Tex., as private in Company H, Eighth Texas Cavalry, known as Terry's Texas Rangers. Was wounded in the hand at Eaglesville, Tenn., and was also severely wounded in the head at Aiken, S. C. Was in all the battles fought by the Army of Tennessee—Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Perryville, Missionary Ridge and Atlanta, as well as hundreds of skirmishes. Had several horses shot under me. One horse was shot in seven places in the battle of Murfreesboro. Here we captured a cannon and brought it off the field. I had many personal encounters while on scouts. On one occasion Geo. B. Zimpleman and I fought a company of Yankee cavalry which had surrounded us in a thicket. After we had killed nine of their number and wounded many more they left us in possession of the thicket. At Saundersville, Ga., after leading a desperate charge, Gen. Joe Wheeler took off his hat and called out three cheers for Bassett, which was responded to by the whole command. I refused a position on Gen. Wheeler's staff, preferring to stay with my company as a private.

Yeary, Mamie. Reminiscences of the Boys in Gray. McGregor, Texas, 1912.

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