Courtesy of Shirley L. Brown
From Matagorda County History & Genealogy page
The days of ’61 were recalled by the old Confederates who looked on the scene. Mr. D. A. Coston and wife were there to see their son Grover off. Capt. J. C. Jones, whose son C.R. is one of the company, and W. H. Pressley and Capt. Frank Rugeley formed a little group waiting for the start.
M. Pressley said “This reminds me of the start for the war in 1861, when I marched off with the first company from Leon county, the “Leon Hunters.”
Some people said ‘Oh it won’t last long,’ but it lasted four years, the last two I spent at Fort Delaware, where I was condemned as a spy and sentenced to be shot, but escaped by swimming the bay.”
The voice of Mrs. Coston was tremulous yet brave as she spoke of the departure of her only son and dependence, Grover, and when Capt. Rugeley undertook to lighten the burden with the suggestion that there would be nothing serious come of it, Mrs. Coston replied, “Well, it will mean the loss of a few of our boys, and you cannot tell who it will be. But some have to go and it just as well be one as another.”
More than two thousand people gathered at the Southern Pacific depot yesterday morning to bid the boys godspeed and safe return.
There were tear-stained faces of mothers and strong-hearted fathers, grieved sisters and brothers, and sad-hearted sweethearts, the latter, of course, more quiet in their grief than the sisters, but their sorrow none the less genuine.
Captain Lewis marched his company of seventy brave young men down the streets and to the left on the right-of-way where they were allowed to break ranks for thirty-five minutes that each might spend the time in farewells to friends and relatives, and after this sad leave-taking the bugle sounded and the soldiers responded to line again and marched to the track and entrained, and mid shouts of joy-go-with-you and cheers for the departing troops, the train pulled out, and the saddened and patriotic throng turned their faces again toward the city and their every-day duties.
Many a prayer was uttered for the weal of the boys and their safe return.
Political opponents forgot such differences and bid the gallant captain “God-speed and good luck; take care of the boys” with a confidence that their record would be one all Matagorda county would be proud of.
The roster of the company as near as we could make up is to be found below. An effort to get the official list failed Wednesday evening because they were all so busy in hurried preparation, and Thursday morning the books had been locked up. But we have 69 of the 71 who are now enroute to San Antonio. We heard there were two or three from the west side, possible Palacios, whose names diligent enquiry failed to ascertain. With that exception we believe the following is a complete roster:
The Roll of Honor
Captain–R. R. Lewis
Lieutenant, 1st–V. C. Porter, 2nd–J. C. Willis
Sergeant, 1st–H. H. Parker, 2nd–Fred Rhea, 3rd–Albert George, 4th–S. J. Gillette
Corporals–Payne Walker, Layton Moore, Grant Potter, Jim Fitzmaurice
Adjutant–Frank Osborne
Standard Bearer–Aaron Simon
Mascot–Master Randolph Cox
Chas.Schaedel
Chas. R. Jones
Albert Benedict
Hugh Sexton
Erin Arnold
Newt Arnold
Frank Hawkins
Dooley Frantz
Frank Bruno
Collie Bruno
Eddie Anderson
Donald Moore
D. Moore
Ham Wallace
Leland Winston
Bob [tall] Baker
C. E. Langwell
Lloyd Potter
Albert Brittain
Charles Lowe
Wesley McKelvy
Otis Hatchett
Austin Lee
Henry Lee
Harris Milner
Fred Gillette
W. Womack
Brown Bros. of Buckeye
Will Conger
Jas. Morehead
Linn McMahan
Wm. Craft
Frank Craft
Tom Craft
Theo. Garnett
George Yeager
Mac Landrum
W. C. Randolph
Joe Hogan
Harley Bess
Chas. Hermon
Luther Large
Morris Davis
Madison Jones
Walter McMahan
Bryan Williams
Bob Thompson
Wm. Martin
Sambo Rugeley
Rugeley Serrill
Douglas Serrill
Oscar George
Lige Dunbar
Clyde Ellis
Last 6 from Matagorda
Henry Lee came from Alice and Wm. Martin from San Benito to join their company here, and Bob Thompson was to join them at Eagle Lake where he is working. Lonnie McDonald who is now at Markham got a furlough of 30 days to adjust some business matters, some say, and others report is that he was released on an application filed some four months ago.
As an indication of how the departure of this company interfered with business round town, it took two out of the Light Company’s service, two out of each auto garages, two out of the A. & M. Grocery, two out of Arnold’s Market, two out of Sisk Bros’ store, one out of the Alcove force, one of the partners in Simon Brothers, bookkeepers and clerks out of other stores, mills and warehouses.
But it is said that the positions have all been promised to be held for the boys, who will be cordially welcomed back to business and social circles, from the Captain to the mascot.
Matagorda sent a good contingent, six, and the seventh was refused admittance because of under size.
Aubrey Bedford, brought a note of consent from his father, and yet he was not yet received; while there were two or three who very much desire to be excused ― Albert Benedict, car repairer, and one or two others with wife and children dependent on them, and the son of Mr. Jim Davis who is paralyzed and has no dependence; Corp. Potter whose mother is now alone, and others, one or two just married, and one who expected soon to be.
These have the sympathy of friends, not they go unwillingly, but that they naturally reluctantly leave those dependent on them.
They will do honor to their country and to themselves―giving satisfaction to love ones in future years.
As Mother Coston with pride said “Yes, the woman have their full share of danger and privation during times of war. I have the honorable discharge from the confederate army of Mr. Coston, and of my father, and that is honor enough.”
The martial spirit and patriotism born in Americans was visible in the admiration of the six and eight year old youngsters as they gazed upon the handsome little soldier mascot, Randolph Cox, in full uniform with gun and accountrements. Randolph was happy as could be without thought of danger, or even the care or joy of sweetheart to grieve for him. Mrs. Chas. De Auburn, his mother agreed for him to go only as far as San Antonio where she has relatives, but the youngster says he is going all the way agreeing with Governor Ferguson that now we’ve started, will finish the job.
News-Farmer Extra, Bay City, May 11, 1916