Greenville in Hunt County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Civil War

Secession

Photographed by James Hulse, July 28, 2025

1. Civil War Marker

Inscription. Secession was an issue that Hunt County residents did not agree on. The county vote on secession was close, 416 to 339, but ultimately secession won. Once the war started, hundreds of county men joined and fought in the war effort. Greenville raised a company that fought in both Arkansas and eastern Tennessee. Hunt County was part of the 8th military district which consisted of Fannin, Hunt, Grayson, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Tarrant and Cooke counties. Martin D. Hart, a local Hunt County lawyer, representative (1857-1859), senator (1860-1861), and the second richest man in the county (in 1860), led the anti-secession minority, along with his brother Hardin. Martin made several speeches at the County Courthouse in attempts to persuade county residents to the anti-secession side. After Texas seceded from the Union, Hart resigned his seat in the Senate and returned to Hunt County to resume his law practice. Hart was elected captain of the Greenville Guards in 1861 which was a company of mounted volunteers. In 1862, he received a commission from the Confederates to go to NW Arkansas and operate a company but instead went

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to Missouri and received Union papers. He and his men then went to Arkansas where they attacked Confederate forces and Hart allegedly assassinated two "prominent secessionists." He and some of his men were captured by Confederate troops on January 18, 1863. They were taken to Fort Smith, where he and his first lieutenant, J. W. Hays of Illinois, were court-martialed and hanged on January 23, 1863.

By the end of 1861, 25,000 Texans were in the Confederate army with two-thirds of them in the cavalry. By the end of the war an estimated 70,000-90,000 Texans saw military service in the war and fought in every major battle except for First Manassas and Chancellorsville. A much smaller number of people from Texas served in the Union army; approximately 2,132 White and 47 Black. The war transformed life for women across the state. They were encouraged to support the Confederate army by contributing to the war effort. They sewed flags and banners for local regiments and made uniforms, clothing, and tents for soldiers. Many marched in parades, wrote editorials in newspapers, attended political gatherings, raised funds, participated in aid

Civil War Marker (right side) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 28, 2025

2. Civil War Marker (right side)

societies, and even organized local militias. The women had to take care of their homes, manage their farms, oversee slaves, plant, sow, harvest, sell their farm products and deal with shortages for an extended period of time while the men were away fighting. The last battle of the war happened in Texas near Brownsville at the battle of Palmito Ranch on May 13, 1865, where the Union troops were defeated. On June 2, 1865, Generals Smith and Magruder signed the formal terms of surrender for their commands. The remaining slaves in Texas achieved freedom with the arrival of General Gordon Granger and Union forces of occupation on June 19, 1865, which is why and when Juneteenth is celebrated.

Captions
(Photo #1) General Granger
(Photo #2) Left: Martin D. Hart; Top right: Texas Terry's Rangers; Bottom right: Confederate Soldiers

Erected by Audie Murphy / American Cotton Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • War, US Civil • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is January 18, 1863.

Location. 33° 7.497′ N, 96° 5.335′ W. Marker is in Greenville, Texas, in Hunt County.

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It is on Interstate 30 Frontage Road ¼ mile west of Division Street, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located on the grounds of the Audie Murphy / American Cotton Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 I-30, Greenville TX 75401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region

and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

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 walking distance of this marker: 1926 Confederate Soldier Statue (here, next to this marker); Greenville Confederate Memorial (here, next to this marker); Reconstruction Era (here, next to this marker); Early Twentieth Century (a few steps from this marker); Aztec Eagles (a few steps from this marker); African American Community (within shouting distance of this marker); Black Education (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Industry & Business (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greenville.

Also see . . . Civil War. Audie Murphy / American Cotton Museum (Submitted on August 26, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.