UDC celebrates history month in April

On April 17, 2007, the Moses M. Buckner Chapter 2442, United Daughters of the Confederacy celebrated April as Confederate History Month in the State of Texas.

President Hazel DuBose conducted the monthly meeting of the chapter and Historian Marcia DuBose introduced speaker Carolyn McCall, Honorary President of Texas Division United of the Confederacy who gave an interesting progam on "The Life of General Ben McCullough."

McCullough was born in Tennessee and grew up with the family of Col. Davy Crockett as neighbors.

As a child, he played with the Crockett children.

Col. Davy Crockett and some of his men fought for Texas Independence at the Alamo.

Young McCullough came to Texas and fought at the Battle of San Jacinto. He was assigned to man a cannon by General Sam Houston and he was cited for "conspicuous gallantry" by General Houston.

McCullough remained in Texas and became a Captain of a Texas Ranger Unit and fought on the frontier to help keep settlers safe from Indian attacks.

He also worked as a surveyor.

He fought at Buena Vista, Mexico under the command of General Zachary Taylor and was recognized as a gallant soldier.

When Texas seceded from the Union, McCullough was commissioned by President Jefferson Davis to gather a force of men to capture the U.S. garrison at San Antonio.

His reputation went before him and about 800 men enlisted in McCullough's unit.

General Twigg of the Union Army surrendered the entire garrison without one shot being fired.

Following this, McCullough was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General on May 11, 1861, and was given command of the Indian Territory and helped make valuable alliances with the Cherokee, Choctaw and Creek Indians.

He was headquartered at Little Rock, Ark.

Brigadier General Ben McCullough served with General Sterling Price but disagreed with Price's strategy.

President Davis gave the command of the Trans- Mississippi Army to General Earl Van Doren.

McCullough was engaged in the Battles of Little Sugar Creek in northern Arkansas, he fought at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in Missouri and he fought at the Battle of Pea Ridge also called the Battle at Elkhorn Tavern in Arkansas.

McCullough was known as a quiet, modest and private man who did not like a lot of fan fare.

He did not like wearing uniforms and as a Texas Ranger, he only wore a Texas star on his hat.

When he was killed at the Battle at Elkhorn Tavern on March 7, 1862, he was wearing a simple black velvet suit.

The Confederate Camp Ground located near Drift Wood, Texas is named after this fearless, gallant soldier.

It is called Camp Ben McCullough.