Near Canton in Van Zandt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Shelby Expedition Through Van Zandt County
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 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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cedarvale Cemetery (approx. 5.6 miles away); Blackwell House (approx. 7.1 miles away); First Baptist Church of Canton (approx. 7.4 miles away); First United Methodist Church of Canton (approx. 7½ miles away); Hilliards of Canton (approx. 7.6 miles away); George Washington Tull, Sr. (approx. 7.6 miles away); The Canton Herald (approx. 7.6 miles away); Isaac Van Zandt (approx. 7.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canton.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 790 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

