Near Canton in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Shelby Expedition Through Van Zandt County

Photographed by James Hulse, July 12, 2026

1. Shelby Expedition Through Van Zandt County Marker

Inscription. Gen. Joseph O. Shelby's command refused to surrender at the close of the Civil War. Shelby's men, the First Missouri Cavalry of the Confederate States of America, marched via Clarksville to Van Zandt County, proceeding through Grand Saline to Canton and on to Stone Point soon after learning of Gen. Robert E. Lee's surrender. From about April 22 to May 29, 1865, Shelby's troops camped at Stone Point while their leader attendeded a Confederate conference at Marshall, Texas. Determined to continue the war, Shelby's men journeyed to Mexico, stopping where they were needed to enforce the peace in a ravaged postwar Texas.
(incise) Researched by Donald K. Plemmons

Erected 1998 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12266.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1865.

Location. 32° 33.034′ N, 95° 59.591′ W. Marker is near Canton, Texas, in Van Zandt County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 243 and County Road 2504, on the left when traveling west on State Highway 243. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Canton

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

TX 75103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and in the Piney Woods.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wesley Chapel Cemetery (approx. one mile away); High Cemetery (approx. 2½ miles away); Wallace Methodist Church (approx. 3.1 miles away); Hayden Baptist Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); Fairview Cemetery and School (approx. 4.3 miles away); Cedarvale Cemetery (approx. 5.6 miles away); Turner Baptist Church (approx. 6½ miles away); Blackwell House (approx. 7.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Wallace United Methodist Church (was approx. 3.1 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, November 26, 2023

2. Shelby Expedition Through Van Zandt County Marker

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, November 26, 2023

3. Shelby Expedition Through Van Zandt County Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 805 times since then and 79 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 14, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on November 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.