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

Colonel Thomas R. Bonner
⎯⎯⎯
Texas In the Civil War 1861-1865

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, December 10, 2015

1. Colonel Thomas R. Bonner / Texas In the Civil War 1861-1865 Marker - East Face

Texas Civil War Centennial Marker

Inscription. (east face)
School named for Texas Confederate
Colonel Thomas R. Bonner
1836-1891

Born in Mississippi. Came to Texas 1849. In Texas militia at start of Civil War. Elected captain Co. C, 18th Tex. Infantry, C.S.A., 1862. Commanded 18th as Colonel, 1863-65. Gallantly led unit in battles at Bourbeau, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, La. and Jenkins' Ferry, Ark., all being vital actions to prevent Federal invasions of Texas. After the war, admitted to bar and practiced law in Tyler. Served in 11-15th Texas Legislatures and as speaker of the house in 1876. Founded the first bank in Tyler. Leader in building Tyler Tap Railroad. Established an insurance company. Trustee East Texas University. Grand Master of Masons in Texas, 1875.

(west face)
Texas
in the Civil War
1861-1865

Texas made an all-out effort for the Confederacy after a 3 to 1 popular vote for secession. 90,000 troops, famed for mobility and daring, fought on every battlefront. A 2,000-mile frontier and coast were successfully defended from Union troop invasion and savage Indians. Texas was the storehouse of Western Confederacy. Wagon trains laden with cotton—life blood of the South—crossed the state to Mexico to trade for medical supplies, clothing, military supplies. State and private industry produced guns, ammunition, wagons, pots, kettles, leather goods, salt, hospital supplies. Wives, sons, daughters, slaves provided corn, cotton, cloth, cattle, hogs, cured meats to the army, giving much, keeping little for themselves.

Erected 1965 by The State of Texas. (Marker Number 7707.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 32° 20.85′ N, 95° 17.417′ W.

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Marker is in Tyler, Texas, in Smith County. It is at the intersection of South Saunders Avenue and East Earle Street, on the right when traveling south on South Saunders Avenue. Marker is located in front of Thomas R Bonner Elementary School, which is named for Colonel Bonner. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 235 S Saunders Ave, Tyler TX 75702, 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 walking distance of this marker: John B. & Ketura Douglas House (approx. half a mile away); Smith County Jail, 1881 (approx. half a mile away); 1881 Smith County Jail (approx. half a mile away); Henry Miller Morgan (approx. 0.6 miles away); a different marker also named Henry Miller Morgan

Colonel Thomas R. Bonner / Texas In the Civil War 1861-1865 Marker - West Face image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, December 10, 2015

2. Colonel Thomas R. Bonner / Texas In the Civil War 1861-1865 Marker - West Face

Texas Civil War Centennial Marker

(approx. 0.6 miles away); Arthur "Dooley" Wilson (approx. 0.6 miles away); Camp Ford (approx. 0.6 miles away); Yarbrough Building (approx. 0.6 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.

Colonel Thomas R. Bonner / Texas In the Civil War 1861-1865 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Randal B. Gilbert, December 10, 2015

3. Colonel Thomas R. Bonner / Texas In the Civil War 1861-1865 Marker

Bonner Elementary School

Colonel Thomas R. Bonner image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Unknown Photographer, circa 1880

4. Colonel Thomas R. Bonner

Bonner in his later years.
Image courtesy of the Smith County Historical Society - Archives Collection, 125 S. College, Tyler, Texas

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 10, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,038 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 10, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. 4. submitted on December 15, 2015, by Randal B. Gilbert of Tyler, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.

Colonel Thomas R. Bonner⎯⎯⎯Texas In the Civil War 1861-1865

Colonel Thomas R. Bonner
⎯⎯⎯
Texas In the Civil War 1861-1865