Gainesville in Cooke County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Civil War Dissent In North Texas
Photographed by Joe Lotz, August 23, 2026
1. Civil War Dissent In North Texas Marker
Prior to President Lincoln's election in 1860, tension in northern Texas was brewing between secessionists and Unionists. While most prominent planters and politicians were for secession, Gov. Sam Houston was against it and tried to persuade Texans that Mexico and an unguarded frontier posed a bigger threat. In July 1860, a series of fires broke out in North Texas and fueled men loyal to the South to find and punish those they believed were responsible. They alleged that abolitionists and "Northern thinking" neighbors would stop at nothing and secession was the only way to protect themselves and their property. Yet public sentiment was mixed. In Feb. 1861, Cooke County and six others in North Texas were among 18 statewide to vote against secession. The measure carried statewide by more than three to one.
The Conscription Acts of April 1862 required men 1835 years of age to register for service. Frontiersmen were reluctant to enlist and leave their families without protection. A "Peace Party" was formed to oppose the draft and protest the clause that excluded large slaveholders from enlisting. State Brig. Gen. William Hudson sent state troops to North Texas to arrest men who did not enlist. James G. Bourland, provost marshal, arrested 150 men on Oct. 1. A "Citizens Court" of mostly slaveowners was created to try these men accused of insurrection or treason. Seven Union leaders were convicted, but an angry mob lynched fourteen more men from the "Peace Party," and two Confederate leaders were killed in retaliation. Decisions to release the prisoners were reversed and nineteen more were convicted and hanged. Only five prisoners were acquitted. These extrajudicial proceedings would become known as the Great Hanging at Gainesville, a notorious example of home front violence during the Civil War.
Erected 2021
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1862.
Location. 33° 37.446′ N, 97° 8.297′ W. Marker is in Gainesville, Texas, in Cooke County. It is at the intersection of East California Street and S Schopmeyer St, on the left when traveling west on East California Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 736 E California St, Gainesville TX 76240, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region. 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: The Great Hanging at Gainesville, 1862 (within shouting distance of this marker); Gainesville-Fort Sill Road (about 700 feet away,
Photographed by Joe Lotz, August 23, 2026
2. Civil War Dissent In North Texas Marker
Photographed by Joe Lotz, August 23, 2026
3. Civil War Dissent In North Texas
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2026, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 23, 2026, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
