Woodsonville

Confederate Military History
Appendix - Supplemental Account of Texas Commands
Confederate Publishing Company
Atlanta, Ga., 1899

The Eighth Texas cavalry, or Texas Rangers, under Col. B. F. Terry, was sent into Kentucky in September, 1861, and was soon followed by the Seventh infantry under Col. John Gregg. The first considerable engagement of the Eighth cavalry was at Woodsonville, or Rowlett's station, December 17th. Gen. T. C. Hindman, in command of the Confederate forces engaged, in advancing on Woodsonville put out the Rangers on the neighboring heights and Major Phifer's cavalry to watch the crossings of Green river. Later Colonel Terry, being temporarily left in command by General Hindman, was assailed by the enemy in force, and "at the head of 75 Rangers he charged about 300, routed and drove them back, but fell mortally wounded. A body of the enemy of about the same size attacked the Rangers under Captain Terrill, upon the right of the turnpike, and were repulsed with heavy loss." Besides Colonel Terry, three of his men were killed, Lieutenant Morris and three men dangerously wounded, and Captain Walker and three men slightly wounded. In General Hardee's special orders it was said of the fallen colonel : "His regiment deplores the loss of a brave and beloved commander ; the army one of its ablest officers. " The regiment was subsequently under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Harrison, during the illness of Colonel Lubbock. On the 30th Gen. A. S. Johnston reported that the regiment had been reduced to half its original number, 1,000, by deaths and sickness.