Chatfield in Navarro County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Last Review Of The Confederacy

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 4, 2026

1. Last Review of the Confederacy Marker

Inscription.
General Joseph Orville "Jo" Shelby (1830-1897) led a cavalry force of Missourians known as the Iron Brigade and later, the Iron Division. From 1861-64, his troops rode with generals Thomas C. Hindman, John S. Marmaduke and Sterling Price in Missouri and Arkansas. During this time, Shelby earned praise for his command.

Shelby and his men wintered in Texas in 1864-65. In the spring, when word of Confederate surrenders in the east reached him, he was ordered to lead his men to Shreveport, Louisiana, to surrender. Instead, they planned an attack on the city to prevent collapse of the Trans-Mississippi Confederacy. Waylaid by severe weather, they decided to go to Mexico.

Shelby's soldiers stopped along the banks of Chambers Creek, south of Chatfield. Near here, they made their last bivouac as a Confederate unit. The next morning, June 2, 1865, the troops lined up for assembly and held what has been called "the last review of the Confederacy." By that time, they were the last organized unit in any Confederate state. Following the review of his troops, Shelby delivered his farewell, then asked his men to accompany him

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to Mexico. Hundreds reportedly answered his call. The next week, while his men gathered supplies from nearby Corsicana, Shelby visited the Hodge Oaks Plantation of Capt. Robert Hodge at Chatfield. Once prepared, the troops left for Mexico, where their offer of military service to Emperor Maximilian was diplomatically rejected. The men were offered land, though, and many, including Shelby, stayed. In 1867, Shelby returned to Missouri, where he farmed and served as U.S. Marshal. His dedication is celebrated there, as well as in Texas.

Erected 2002 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12924.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is June 2, 1865.

Location. 32° 13.507′ N, 96° 25.017′ W. Marker is in Chatfield, Texas, in Navarro County. It is on Farm to Market Road 1603 south of County Route NE 1010, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4511 FM 1603, Chatfield TX 75105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

It is also in the

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, September 4, 2026

2. Last Review of the Confederacy Marker

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,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: General Lucian K. Truscott, Jr. (approx. 1.1 miles away); Francis Marion Martin (approx. 1.1 miles away); Baptist General Association of Texas (approx. 1.1 miles away); Chatfield United Methodist Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Roane Baptist Church (approx. 4.1 miles away); First Baptist Church of Rice (approx. 4.9 miles away); Rice (approx. 4.9 miles away); The Fortson Family (approx. 5 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chatfield.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 4, 2026, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.