This Year We Honor the 161st Anniversary of the Death of Jeffersonian, Lt. Col. Harvey H. Black, CSA

Prior to the war, Harvey H. Black and his brother, A.H. Black, moved from their homestate of Kentucky to East Texas. They traveled across the country with 1,200 sheep and settled on a ranch just west of Jefferson.  In 1857, Black started a small meat-packing facility along the Big Cypress Bayou, believed to be what is now Total Farm. Black's operation allowed cattle and eventually pork and according to a local Jeffersonian was "the biggest thing in this town or section of the state."

In addition to the meat-packing operation, Black owned a sawmill, tan-yard and constructed one of the original brick warehouse buildings in Jefferson, TX contributing to the manufacturing industry that would become vital during and after the Civil War.

Black was one of the founding members of Christ Episcopal Church of Jefferson, TX. Records show he signed the Articles of Association on June 8, 1860 and became a vestryman on June 11, 1860.

Black enlisted in the CSA in May 1861. He sold all of his businesses and properties and raised up the first company of troops from Marion County. He was Captain of Company A, also known as the Marion Rifles. The company shipped off to New Orleans by riverboat, then continued on to Richmond, Virginia where, by August 1861, they would join the 1st Texas Infantry Regiment, nicknamed the Ragged Old First.

Black and the Ragged Old First fought mostly with the Army of Northern Virginia assembled at Seven Pines, Richmond, Virginia. The Ragged Old First originally consisted of 10 companies from Marion, Cass, Polk, Houston, Harrison, Tyler, Anderson, Cherokee, Sabine, San Augustine, Newton, and Nacogdoches counties.

Sadly, the Ragged Old First, had the highest casualty rate, 82.3%, suffered by any regiment, North or South, on a single day, during the entire war.

Due to Black's leadership abilities and determination he was quickly promoted to Major, and then Lt. Colonel. He was known for leading his men into action.

It was during the battle of Eltham's Landing in the spring of 1862 when Lt. Col. Harvey H. Black died in combat.

“We are pained to learn that Lt. Col. H. H. Black, of Jefferson, and Capt. Harry Decatur, of this place, belonging to the First Texas Regiment, were killed in the heavy skirmish that occurred at West Point on the 17th ult (sic). They were brave and true men. A grateful country mourns their loss. A patriotic people will remember their sacrifices, and embalm their heroic deeds upon the imperishable pages of history.” (Marshall Texas Republican, June 14, 1862)

We honor Lt. Col. Harvey H. Black, his Marion Rifles, and all of the 1st Texas Infantry Regiment by never forgetting their sacrifice.

The below is an excerpt from a Jeffersonian article on Lt. Col Harvey H. Black written by  Dr. John G. Goddard and Weldon W. Nash, Jr. Click to read more.