Jefferson in Marion County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Civil War Meat Packing Plant
Used 42-gallon wooden barrels. Filled these with meat and brine. Obtained salt from New Iberia, La., and elsewhere through the Confederate government. Yet even with use of preservative salt, bloody water was sometimes found in the packed meat. The army complained it was made to accept this, though regular customers would have rejected it.
The greater portion of cattle went out of Texas on the hoof, to be served as fresh meat after being slaughtered in the army camp. So much beef, pork, mutton, grain, sugar, salt, peas, beans, flour and corn meal was shipped away that Texas became known as the breadbasket of the Confederacy.
Supplying of food was only one part of the Texas war effort, which included yielding her cotton crops as currency to buy guns and ammunition and other goods, and sending her men and horses into the fight.
Erected 1964 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 8024.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1861.
Location. 32° 45.719′ N, 94° 20.905′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, Texas, in Marion County. Marker is at the intersection of St John Street (Texas Route 49) and Walnut Street, on the left when traveling south on St John Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: St John Street, Jefferson TX 75657, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Baptist Church of Jefferson (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Torrans-Clopton-Spellings House (about 700 feet away); The George T. Todd House (about 800 feet away); Site of Home of Captain George T. Todd (approx. 0.2 miles away); S. D. Rainey Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Beard House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Richard Waterhouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); William Clark Residence (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jefferson.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 381 times since then and 48 times this year. Last updated on July 20, 2018, by T. Patton of Jefferson, Georgia. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 6, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.