Near Woodstock in Bowie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Harvey C. Sanders, C.S.A.

(1837-1925)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 1, 2026

1. Harvey C. Sanders, C.S.A. Marker

Inscription. Native of Kentucky in Civil War fought at Shiloh, Chickamauga and other battles. After being wounded twice, became a guard at Confederate White House.

When Richmond fell on April 3,1865 was placed in escort for the departing president. Rode 5 weeks toward Florida, where President Jefferson Davis was planning to sail for Mexico to join many other Confederate leaders (these Southerners intended to regroup an army, march north to Texas and continue their fight for states' rights.)

President Davis and his guards were followed by thieves trying to steal the Confederate treasury, the horses and the wagons. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln on April 14 and the offer of a reward of $100,000 caused many adventurers to hunt for President Davis. Just before dawn on May 10, near Irwinsville, GA Federals captured him and his party, including 2 Texans, Postmaster-General John H. Reagan and presidential aide F.R. Lubbock, a former governor of Texas. Mrs. Davis and children were soon freed, but all the men were imprisoned.

Sanders was released in a year. Later he came to Texas and lived near this site after 1887 – honored for years as the last man of the Davis bodyguard.

Erected 1965 by Texas State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 9508.)

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 3, 1865.

Location. 33° 33.451′ N, 94° 25.029′ W. Marker is near Woodstock, Texas, in Bowie County. It is on State Highway 8 0.3 miles south of Woodstock Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is in a roadside picnic area on the northbound side. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: New Boston TX 75570, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep 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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Site of the Texas Home of Richard Ellis (here, next to this marker); Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 1.9 miles away); Red Bayou Methodist Church (approx. 4.8 miles away); Bowie County (approx. 5.9 miles away); James Bowie / Gold Star County (approx. 5.9 miles away); Jones-Tyson House (approx. 6.6 miles away); New Boston (approx. 6.8 miles away); Pecan Point Signers (approx. 9.3 miles away).

Also see . . . Harvey C Sanders Last of Body Guard of Jeff Davis Dead. Repost of his obituary, which appeared in the The Bowie County News on Friday, Oct. 2, 1925. (KYGenWeb) (Submitted on May 10, 2026, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 1, 2026

2. Harvey C. Sanders, C.S.A. Marker

Featured marker is on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 10, 2026, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on May 10, 2026, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 2. submitted on May 9, 2026, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.