Tyler in Smith County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Major James P. Douglas / Good-Douglas Texas Battery

Major James P. Douglas Marker - East Face image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Randal B. Gilbert, December 8, 2015

1. Major James P. Douglas Marker - East Face

Texas Civil War Centennial Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

(east face) School named for Texas Confederate
Major James P. Douglas
1836-1901
Born in South Carolina. Came to Texas 1848. Led 50 Tyler men, 1861, to join 50 in Dallas to form Good-Douglas Battery - only Texas artillery serving east of the Mississippi. At Chickamauga, Battery shoved its big guns to edge of Federal rifle pits. Gallantry of Douglas was praised. In 1865 he returned to editing Tyler "Reporter." Became a lawyer. Was in Texas Senate, 1876-80. Joined leadership of Tyler Tap Railway. Was president of Cotton Belt Railroad. Led in Tyler's fruit and vegetable growing, canning industry. Was an organizer and trustee of East Texas University, Tyler.

(west face) Good-Douglas
Texas Battery
Marched out of Texas July 9, 1861, after much romantic fanfare in Dallas. Attached to the 3rd Texas Cavalry. Capt. J. J. Good of Dallas soon resigned. J.P. Douglas commanded 1862-65. Fought at Wilson’s Creek, Mo., Pea Ridge, Ark., Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Tenn., Ringgold Gap, Kennesaw Mountain , Atlanta, Ga., Franklin and Nashville,

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Tenn., and other battles. Captured Federal guns were the original equipment. Douglas’ men became the most illustrious Texas Field Artillery Battery in war. They covered Confederate withdrawal under fire, Nashville, Dec. 1864, and their guns were captured. At siege of Mobile, March-April, 1865, Douglas Battery manned guns in the harbor fort. April 1865, field guns were issued to Douglas. These the men of the Douglas Battery laid down in honor as the war came to its end.

Erected 1965 by The State of Texas. (Marker Number 7721.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is July 9, 1861.

Location. 32° 21.962′ N, 95° 17.699′ W. Marker is in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. Marker is at the intersection of North Carlyle Avenue and East Franklin Street, on the right when traveling north on North Carlyle Avenue. Located in front of Douglas Elementary School, which is named for Douglas. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1500 N Carlyle Ave, Tyler TX 75702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Colonel Bryan Marsh / Texas Civil War Manufacturing (approx. ¾ mile away); Goodman Home, 1857 (approx. ¾ mile away); Tyler Tap Railroad (approx. 0.8 miles away);

Major James P. Douglas Marker - West Face image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Randal B. Gilbert, December 8, 2015

2. Major James P. Douglas Marker - West Face

Texas Civil War Centennial Marker

Camp Ford (approx. one mile away); Yarbrough Building (approx. one mile away); Camp Fannin (approx. one mile away); Col. Bryan Marsh (approx. 1.1 miles away); Thomas R. Bonner (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tyler.

More about this marker. The granite marker is deteriorating slightly and is difficult to read.

Additional commentary.
1. Honor
Many thanks to Mr. Gilbert for continuing the tradition of honoring my ancestors and my kin. James H. Douglas

— Submitted March 27, 2020, by James H Douglas of Clawson, Michigan.

Douglas Elementary School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Randal B. Gilbert, December 8, 2015

3. Douglas Elementary School

Post War Reunion of the Douglas Battery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Unknown photographer, circa 1885

4. Post War Reunion of the Douglas Battery

Maj. James P. Douglas is the short figure in the hat standing behind the breech of the gun. Courtesy of the Smith County Historical Society Archives Collection

Credits. This page was last revised on March 28, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 533 times since then and 107 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 8, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.