Monday, September 30, 2013

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS CSA by Frank M. Johnson - Book Review

Montgomery County, Texas CSA is a must-have for anyone who had a Montgomery County, Texas ancestor who fought for the Confederacy during the War Between the States. Historian Frank M. Johnson conducted years of research in local, state and federal archives to create what is without a doubt the most comprehensive history of the important roles that the soldiers from Montgomery County, Texas played in that epic conflict.

In recent years, there has been a rebirth in the study of the history of Montgomery County. This rebirth has seen a new generation of historians who rely almost entirely on primary sources rather than stale and often inaccurate secondary sources. What these historians in recent years have produced are far more accurate and useful histories. Montgomery, County, Texas CSA is the most recent contribution by one of these new historians. As such, Montgomery County, Texas CSA is destined to become the historical authority on this period in Montgomery County's history for many years to come. Genealogists seeking sources of information about Montgomery County will also find this volume an essential tool as hundreds of names are listed with information about the military regiments in which these men fought during the war.

Frank M. Johnson describes his book most succinctly as "A definitive history of Montgomery County's involvement in the War Between the States and the men from that county who served in the military of the Confederate States of America." Montgomery County, Texas CSA is 227 pages and is available from Frank M. Johnson or Amazon. com.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Texian Heritage Festival History Presentations - Saturday, October 19, 2013 - Reenactor Registration Information

At The Texian Heritage Festival there will be an encampment of the Texian Heritage Amy on the hill next to the “town of Fernland”. The army will represent the Texas Army of the 1830´s. The Texian Heritage Army will be made up of members of several Texas historical reenactment groups. These combined groups; such as; the modern Texas Army, San Antonio Living History Association and Crossroads of Texas Living History Assoc reenact the battles of the Texas Revolution of 1835-36 on weekends as close as possible to the anniversaries and as near to location of the original battle as possible, such as, La Bahia, Gonzales, Alamo Plaza and The San Jacinto Battlefield. Their mission is to keep the history and the heritage of The Republic of Texas alive and as accurate as we know it.

To that end they have many dedicated historians in their group that are always ready to discuss Texas history with any one that is interested. The activities of the Texian Heritage Army on October 19, 2013 will include one squad each of the Texas Army of 1836 and one separate squad of the Mexican Army of Antonio Lopez de San Anna demonstrating regimental drills and firing black powder salutes throughout the festival grounds in the morning. Concurrently they will have several large bore Texian Heritage Army cannons firing in conjunction with a cannon safety school just outside the Fernland grounds. In the afternoon they will have Cowboy Pistoleros performing in their “town”; there will be a reenactment in the middle of the afternoon pitting early settlers to the Montgomery county area vs. the Mexican Army regiment over a perceived injustice.

There will also be several different groups at the Texian Heritage Festival representing different eras of Texas history from the late 1800´s back to the late 1700´s. For example, we will have the late cattle ranch era with the Cowboy Pistoleros, the Civil War era with the Veterans of the Confederacy, the pre-1800´s era of Estado de Tejas with the Aztec dancers.

Texian Festival Army Reenactments and Schedule:

Friday, October 18: Camp setup in the field east of the Fernland fence.

Saturday, October 19: 8:00 - 9:00AM Late Reenactor Registration

9:00 - 9:30 Safety inspection of all weapons that will be discharged during festival. Safety meeting and invocation.

9:30 – 12:00 Texas Artillery Association school and demonstrations (In the field north of Fernland fence north-east corner.) Jerry Tubbs.

11:00 – 11:30 Equestrian demonstrations in the field north of Texian Army Camp.

Texian Army Camp life-continous Friday night through Sunday morning

1:00 – 1:30 Cowboy Shootists presentation.

2:00 – 3:00 Reenactment in the field north of camp depicting the insurrection/revolution of Coahuila y Tejas settlers and the Mexican Army of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

3:00 – 3:30 Cowboy Shootists presentation.

9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Saturday Separate random regimental drills and weapons demonstrations by Texas Army and Soldados Mexicanos will be conducted in Fernland.

9:30 AM - 4:30 PM Saturday Larry and Claudia Heidbreder will have Liberty and Justice (Longhorn Steers) demonstrating Texas history continuously on Saturday.

Sunday: Texian army camp break down.

Click fere for the registration form for reenactors for the Texian Heritage Festival.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Pattison Area Heritage Society - September 30, 2013 - Roosevelt Alexander



Roosevelt Alexander being interviewed for Katy ISD Namesake Project - August 2013.
 The next meeting of the Pattison Area Heritage Society will held on Monday, September 30, 2013 at 7:00 PM at Pattison Area Volunteer Fire Department (2950 FM359, Pattison, Texas). The Special Guest Speaker will be long-time teacher and administrator: Roosevelt Alexander.

In 1997, the Katy ISD Board of Trustees voted to name the 17th Elementary School in KISD "Roosevelt Alexander Elementary School." For more information about the Pattison Area Heritage Society visit their website - http://www.fophs.com and join in additional announcements of through PAHS Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/FOPHS .

Friday, September 20, 2013

Texian Heritage Festival - October 19, 2013 - Montgomery, Texas


October 19, 2013
Fernland Historical Park
780 Clepper-Montgomery, Texas

Booming cannons, dramatic Texas Independence battle reenactments, a Texian Army tent encampment and Native American dancers are among the highlights planned for the Texian Heritage Festival at Fernland Historical Park in Montgomery, the third weekend in October.

From everyday Civil War era dresses of Texas women to the most elaborate of uniforms and antebellum dresses, and dozens of pioneer activities, the Festival will piece together our native history, explore the daily lives of early Texas settlers on the frontier, and capture a glimpse of the living history and culture of Texas during the 1800s.

These Pioneer-themed events will be featured from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Fernland Historical Park in Montgomery, Texas and admission is free.

Fernland Historical Park is located in the Buffalo Springs development area located at 780 Clepper across from Montgomery Elementary School. This historical park has four cabins from the 1800’s:  the Hulon House of the Civil War era; the Jardin Cabin, one of the oldest log structures in Texas; the Crane Cabin built by Confederate Civil War veteran Nickolas Crane; and the Arnold-Simonton House, home of the Fernland Historical Park Museum and one of the oldest houses in Montgomery County.

Click here to see the Texian Heritage Festival web site.

Also see:


Texian Navy Day is Tomorrow! September 21, 2013

Texian Navy Flag

Fly your Texas Flag!

Texian Navy Day is celebrated the third Saturday in September, and this year it is the 21st!  Be sure to fly your Texas flag in remembrance of those who gave so much for the cause of Texas independence! 

Join the SRT in Remembrance 

The SRT ceremony will be onboard the Battleship Texas to honor Texian Navy Day.  Services start at 6 bells (11:00 am) tomorrow.  It will be a very memorable ceremony highlighted by our guest speaker Mr. Jerry Patterson, KSJ.  The services will consist of cannon and rifle salutes and a bagpipe procession.  You will also be able to check out the Port of Houston’s new Fire Boat and the U.S. Coast Guards Response Boat.


For directions and information on the Battleship Texas, please click here.