They Left Their Books for Battles
*Ike [sic] Stafford Dubbed 'Boy Soldier'
Brothers Became Famous during Civil War.

*(should read Maner Stafford)

By Jesse A. Ziegler

It would have gladdened most any heart to have stopped at any one of the Houston schools and witnessed some of the many thousands of students who enrolled for the fall season in the public, private and parish schools and colleges in the city; their happy faces made a picture. The above estimate exceeds by a thousand more than last year in this city, and the county schools have increased in proportion. The attractive "Black Battalion," "Reagan Red Coats," and other organizations, tightened up their drums and practiced the "goose step" for their activities in the school year. The high school cadets of the different schools brushed up their guns and polished up their buttons and equipment. The elementary students laid away their fishing poles to get down to a season of hard work.

How different it was in the old days when there was only "the little school house on the hill," when only "readin, ritin and rithmatik" was taught from the little blue spelling book, McGuffy's sixth reader and the Universal geography; these were about the only books that any boy possessed.

In 1844, H. F. Gillett advertised in the "Morning Star" that he had opened the Houston academy on Main and Preston avenues and announced his tuition was $2 per month for teaching arithmetic, grammar and geography; but for advanced scholars in English, Latin and Greek, the tuition was $4 per month.

Opened in 1853.

It was in 1853 that the Houston academy was opened by A. W. Boyd and H. Morse, but in 1857, on September ___, the cornerstone of the Houston academy was laid on the academy block, set aside by the Allens where the present Sam Houston high school stands. It was not a public school and the tuition was $4 per month.

The writer remembers 10 years later when his father paid $6 in gold (premium, $1.25 to $1.40) for his schooling; the same amount also for his brother's tuition, at the Crawford academy. In December, 1877, by a vote of the people, the city took charge of the schools and the present school system was born.

The little Houston academy had possibly 100 cadets, fashioned like the cadets of the Sam Houston high, Reagan high, and others of today. Some of them had only wooden guns at first. When the State of Texas seceded from the Union to join the Confederacy, the school was abandoned, as nearly every boy asked his parents or compelled his guardians to allow him to enlist in the Confederate ranks. As history tells us, only on rare occasions were their pleas denied, and they all volunteered in defense of their state.

Real Guns Secured.

The boys began to drill, securing real guns, and after perfecting the awkward squad for fighting, they elected William Manor [sic] Stafford as their lieutenant. Only 18 years of age, he was a soon of one of the oldest families and a relative of Obediance Smith, on whose survey the present city of Houston stands, but the writer believes the only lineal descendant, today, of the Smiths or Staffords, is the esteemed attorney, Richard M. Franklin.

The Captain was also a descendant of Colonel Ben Fort Smith, the San Jacinto veteran and the great Indian fighter who built the first hotel in Houston where the First National bank now stands. It was in their hotel that the famous first anniversary ball, that Mrs. Deliu Harris and Mrs. Adele Looscan so vividly described, was held. (note from webmaster: William Maner Stafford was a cousin of the Smiths.)

He came from a fighting stock and in a short time carried his company to Galveston, which was merged into Major Van McMahon's regiment, and his company occupied the old Hendly building with two cannons, directing their fire against the Federals in the Battle of Galveston. He was made captain for his gallant service and McMahon's regiment was loudly heralded for its activities in repulsing the enemy.

After the Battle of Galveston he sought more active service, where he fought in Arkansas and Indian Territory until the close of the war. In these battle torn hills he won his laurels.

Captain Stafford was not the only fighter in the family, however. His brother, Major Ike Stafford, only 22 to 23 years old, resigned as junior partner of the firm of W. L. Macatee when war was declared , and formed an artillery company, carrying his company to the Rio Grande to protect the border of the state from the Federals and the Mexican bandits.

Married Kate Vedder.

After the war he (William Maner) returned to Houston and engaged in business for a short time, then moved to Galveston where he engaged in business with Jacob Vedder. To cement the partnership more closely he married Kate, the daughter of Jacob Vedder. The writer remembers their happy wedding day as a neighbor boy.

He continued with his father-in-law and then joined the firm of Shepherd and Stafford. When the big cotton firm of Inman and company came to Houston, he became their Galveston agent and acted as such for many years, but was often seen on the streets of Houston where he was hailed as the "Houston Boy Soldier."

Captain Stafford became my captain in the Washington guards. I say "My Captain"--I was only one of the big four, which the Houston Light Guards remember, as we often drilled against this famous company, beating them twice, but went down in defeat forever after, like all the opponents of this crack company, which became the champion of the United States.

It was in 1875, during the great negro riot and drayman strike, 1000 armed negros met and demonstrated at the Market hall, that Mickey, the policeman, killed one of the rioters. The feeling ran high and the great Confederate veteran general, T. M. Waul, was placed in charge of the five or six military companies on the island. Martial law was declared and for three days we were ordered to our armories and the police department was doubled.

Shoot to Kill.

Each and every soldier was awarded 30 rounds of ammunition. When the battle was imminent, Captain Stafford called or company to order, standing in front of them, he called attention saying: "Boys, each and every one of you have been awarded 30 rounds of ammunition. I warn you, when the order is given to fire, shoot to kill." Fortunately, after three days of rioting the police billies caused many broken heads, subdued the mob and peace reigned once more.

A Father Kirvin story, "Near the Cathedral Door," given to the writer by his niece, Mrs. Katherine Vedder Pauls of Galveston, describes the magnificent character of the "boy soldier."

"The late afternoon sun shown softly golden on the old Colonel as he stood by the cathedral door. A military bearing, rightfully his, for he had the youngest captain in his regiment in 'sixty-one,' kept his shoulders erect, while his head, silvered by 80 years, was bare and bowed, as, hat in hand, he stood in quiet meditation.

"Many times the priest, watching from within, had seen him thus. Had seen him even in passing, lift his hat with reverent gesture while his eyes seemed dimmed by tender memories.

"The priest was curious to know the meaning of this act of reverence and meditation, and so, approaching the Colonel, he questioned him gently. And with the courtesy and dignity of the true gentleman of the old South, the Colonel told a little story of many years ago.

"Bishop Odin, of the Catholic diocese, had a dream of a beautiful cathedral for St. Mary's parish. And with true zeal and sincere endeavor, set about achieving the success of his dream. It was not hard for his parishioners to follow their inspired leader. And every one who could gave time, labor and such materials as he or she was possessed of, to help towards its building and completion. (Which faith all the early colonists were forced to embrace and many kept it until the last.)

"Among these was the mother of the old Colonel. She was a member of St. Mary's parish and an ardent worker in her church.

"She with her husband and family had come to Galveston in 1845, and they had brought with them many slaves. It was too late in the season for work on the plantations and for a while they idled the days away to their hearts content. Then the father of the Colonel heard of a wonderful soil around Lynchburg, Texas, admirable for the manufacture of bricks. So, taking all of his slaves there, he started a brick industry at Lynchburg and sold them through a firm of well known business men of Galveston. (Many of the old brick stores in Houston were built from this kiln.)

Bricks were precious.

"Transportation at this time made bricks as precious as gold and jewels and almost as costly and difficult to procure. And as her gift and contribution, the Colonel's mother gave more than 40,000 bricks, which went into the construction of the treasured walls of Galveston's first cathedral.

"And, smiling, the Colonel added, "although I have not followed my mother's faith, I feel a personal interest in the church that meant so much to her. I feel I have a sentimental claim on it though her, and so, it is always my pleasure in passing, to lift my hat in respect to her church, and in tender reverence to my dear mother's memory.

"And bowing once more, with hat lifted high above his silvered heat, he passed on his way."

Note from webmaster: This story about Col. Stafford was written by Katherine Vedder Pauls. My mother said Col. Stafford's father was Episcopalian and his mother, Roman Catholic. When they married, it was agreed that any children would be raised either Episcopalian or Roman Catholic--one child Episcopalian, the next Roman Catholic. My great grandfather happened to be born in the Episcopalian "slot." How the Roman Catholic church agreed to sanction this is not known.

The following are notes about Col. William Maner STAFFORD which were in Mary Kate Crow Sinclair's possession. She was Col. Stafford's granddaughter.

"William Maner STAFFORD, the son of J. S. and Jeanetta K. Stafford, was born in Rapides Parish, LA, April 25, 1843. His father with his family moved to Texas in 1845, several months before annexation and located his family in Houston, Texas, his plantation being located on the Brazos River in Fort Bend County (webmaster's note: This must be Crow's Landing which was located near Stafford, Texas. My mother often spoke of this place.).

He entered the Confederate service at the age of 18, August 1861, at Houston, Texas, as a Second Lieutenant of Capt. S. M. Drake's Company. His company was ordered to Galveston, Texas, for duty and was assigned to Cook's battallion of heavy artillery. In October 1862, he was promoted to Jr. First Lieutenant and assigned to Company E, Capt. M. V. McMahon. He was in the Battle of Galveston. Capt. M. V. McMahon with Lieut. Stafford and detail of his company, with two pieces of light artillery reaching the City of Galveston, Texas. His company was assigned at the foot of 27th Street. The Harriett Lane was about off the foot of Thirtieth Street. After the capture of Harriett Lane, his company was ordered to the Henly Building at the foot of 20th Street where Capt. McMahon was wounded. Lieut. Stafford taking charge of his command.

"After the Battle of Galveston, he applied for active or field service. His application was granted, he being ordered to report to Gen. Bankhead, San Antonio, Texas, for assignment to duty. He was then assigned to Capt. W. B. Krumbhaar's battery of Light Artillery, then being organized. He was ordered in July 1863, to report for active duty in the Indian Territory and Arkansas. On arriving at destination, his battery was assigned for duty with a brigade of Texas cavalry commanded by Gen. Bankhead and later on by Gen. Gano. When Gen. Steele was advancing with the Federal army from Little Rock, Arkansas, to make connection with Gen. Banks who was advancing up Red River, Maj. Gen. Maxcy of our army with Gen. Gano and other brigades was ordered to the support of Gen. Sterling Price with his troops opposing the advance of Gen. Steele of the Federal army. His battery was engaged in that campaign. Gen Maxcy recommended Capt. Krumbhaar for promotion as Major and Lieut. Stafford as Captain.

"Just before the close of the war, the Light Artillery branch of the service was organized into battalions of two to three batteries. Maj. Krumbhaar was assigned to command. No. 6 Battalion and batteries were numbered. Capt. Stafford's battery was numbered as No. 17, Texas Light Battery, C.S.A. This battery at the break up of the war, Maj. Krumbhaar's battalion, was stationed near Shreveport, LA, and disbanded May 25, 1865.

"Arriving home at Houston in June 1865, he moved to Galveston and was offered a position with T. H. McMahon & Co. He accepted and after a service of a few years entered the cotton brokerage business of Shepherd & Stafford. After Mr. Shepherd's death, the company was known as Stafford & Hawkins for several years. He then went with Inman's as their agent here for more than 30 years. He married Miss Kate Vedder of this city (Galveston) in 1868.

"He was Captain of the Washington Guards, Galveston Artillery, and also was commissioned as Colonel of Aide de Camp Staff of Governor Hubbard."

(original source of above notes unknown)

Battle of Poison Springs, AR

My great grandfather William Maner Stafford wrote a diary about the Battle of Poison Springs. Please use the link in the previous sentence to access the notes. In 1989, my mother Mary Kate CROW Sinclair sent the original notes to the Ouachita-Calhoun Genealogical Society in Camden, AR. The Society was so kind to provide a copy.

Source: TRINITY Protestant Episcopal Church, Galveston, Texas, 1841-1953, a Memorial History (Author: William Manning MORGAN; Houston and Galveston: The Anson Jones Press, 1954)

Colonial William Maner Stafford, (1843-1930), was born in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, on April 25, 1843, and died in Galveston on November 21, 1930. He came with his parents to Texas in 1845, settling first at Houston and then on a plantation on the Brazos River in Fort Bend County. Colonel Stafford served throughout the Civil War in the Confederate Army -- lieutenant in Captain S. M. Drake's company which was part of Cook's battalion of heavy artillery; at the battle of Galveston he was in command of Captain MacMahon's company after the latter was wounded. He saw further active service in Arkansas and Indian Territory and at the close of the war, Colonel Stafford was captain of Battery 17 in Krumbhaar's battalion of light artillery. Governor Hubbard commissioned him colonel and aide-de-camp on his staff. His business career was spent in the cotton business with the firms of T. H. McMahon & Company, Shepherd & Stafford, Stafford & Hawkins and then as representative of the great cotton factorage firm of Inman, Nelms & Company. Colonel Stafford was an active member of the Galveston Cotton Exchange and engaged in more than his share of civic activities. He is remembered best by those who knew him because of his courtly, kindly manner. He was a Southern gentleman of the old school to his fingertips. Griffin, History of Galveston, Texas, 1931, and the compiler's personal knowledge.

Source:

History of Galveston, Texas:
Narrative and Biographical
by: S. C. Griffin
A. H. Cawston--Managing Editor and Publisher,
Galveston, Texas, 1931
page 401

"Colonel Stafford, a son of J. S. and Jeanetta K. Stafford, was born in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, April 25th, 1843. His father brought his family to Texas in 1845, the year the state joined the Union, and settled at Houston, then a struggling little town at the headwaters of the Buffalo bayou. He purchased a plantation on the Brazos river, in Fort Bend county, and operated it successfully until the outbreak of the war between the states.

"The son, William Maner Stafford, enlisted in the Confederate Army at the age of 18, and became a lieutenant in the company of Captain S. M. Drake. This company was ordered to Galveston for duty and was assigned to Cook's battalion of heavy artillery. Just prior to the Battle of Galveston, this young lieutenant was transferred to Captain Macmahon's company, and with two pieces of artillery was stationed at the foot of 27th Street, there to engage the Federal naval forces. His captain wounded, Lieut. Stafford was in command of the company and after the surrender of the city to the confederate forces, was stationed in the Henley building, for a time. After the battle of Galveston, he applied for further active service and was assigned to Captain Krumbhaar's battery of light artillery and saw active service in Arkansas and Indian Territory. For conspicuous service, he was promoted to captaincy and was in command of Battery 17 in Krumbhaar's battalion at the close of the war.

"Arriving home in 1865, his resources spent in the service of his country, his property almost valueless, and the country in desperate condition, he immediately sought a means of support for his family and secured a position with T. H. McMahon & Co., at Galveston, whom he served for several years, until he organized the cotton brokerage firm of Shepherd & Stafford, which successfully engaged in this business for some time. Upon Mr. Shepherd's death, the name of the firm was changed to Stafford & Hawkins, which continued until Col. Stafford became representative of the great cotton factors, Inman Helms & Co., in this city, a connection which continued for thirty years. He was a prominent figure on the Galveston Cotton Exchange and in the civic activities of the period.

"He was Captain of the Washington Guards, Galveston Artillery, and was also commissioned by Governor Hubbard, colonel and aide-de-camp of his staff.

"Colonel Stafford was married to Miss Kate Vedder of Galveston in 1868 and to them three sons and three daughters were born: Maner Stafford, deceased; Dr. Earl Stafford, of San Antonio; J. S. Stafford, of San Antonio; Julia (Mrs. Taylor Kemp), deceased; Kate (Mrs. J. D. Featherstone); and Margaret, who is Mrs. Asa Lee Crow, of Galveston.

"Colonel Stafford passed away, on November 21st, 1930, in Galveston, at the advanced age of 87."