[246] When the secession movement began, he resigned his commission in the United States army, March 21, 1861. He was first assigned to the staff of General Van Dorn, and received the thanks of that officer for the assistance which he rendered him in the capture of various Texas posts. At the battle of Wilson's Creek Colonel Brown and Lieutenant-Colonel Major led a body of 679 Missourians, and were complimented for their good service. In the summer of 1862 Generals Smith and Van Dorn, assisted by the gunboat Arkansas, made a successful defense of Vicksburg against the Union fleets, one of which under Farragut had captured New Orleans, while the other under Porter had taken Memphis. During this gallant defense Colonel Major rendered very efficient service as engineer, and received the compliments of General Van Dorn, who recommended his promotion to the rank of brigadiergen-eral. As colonel he commanded a Texas cavalry brigade in Louisiana with such gallantry that General Taylor repeatedly urged his promotion to brigadier-general. Finally receiving this honor, at the battle of Mansfield he commanded a division of cavalry, fighting as infantry in the gallant advance which put the enemy to flight. This division included his own brigade, Vincent's and Bagby's. At Pleasant Hill Major was again distinguished, and his services were invaluable during the Red river campaign. Through the whole campaign of 1864 in the TransMis-sissippi department General Major was untiring and vigilant, always prompt to march and to fight. He was in command of his brigade in Wharton's cavalry corps, in the district of Western Louisiana, when the war came to an end. From 1866 to 1877 he devoted his attention to planting in Louisiana and Texas. He died at Austin, Tex., May 8, 1877.
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[246] When the secession movement began, he resigned his commission in the United States army, March 21, 1861. He was first assigned to the staff of General Van Dorn, and received the thanks of that officer for the assistance which he rendered him in the capture of various Texas posts. At the battle of Wilson's Creek Colonel Brown and Lieutenant-Colonel Major led a body of 679 Missourians, and were complimented for their good service. In the summer of 1862 Generals Smith and Van Dorn, assisted by the gunboat Arkansas, made a successful defense of Vicksburg against the Union fleets, one of which under Farragut had captured New Orleans, while the other under Porter had taken Memphis. During this gallant defense Colonel Major rendered very efficient service as engineer, and received the compliments of General Van Dorn, who recommended his promotion to the rank of brigadiergen-eral. As colonel he commanded a Texas cavalry brigade in Louisiana with such gallantry that General Taylor repeatedly urged his promotion to brigadier-general. Finally receiving this honor, at the battle of Mansfield he commanded a division of cavalry, fighting as infantry in the gallant advance which put the enemy to flight. This division included his own brigade, Vincent's and Bagby's. At Pleasant Hill Major was again distinguished, and his services were invaluable during the Red river campaign. Through the whole campaign of 1864 in the TransMis-sissippi department General Major was untiring and vigilant, always prompt to march and to fight. He was in command of his brigade in Wharton's cavalry corps, in the district of Western Louisiana, when the war came to an end. From 1866 to 1877 he devoted his attention to planting in Louisiana and Texas. He died at Austin, Tex., May 8, 1877.
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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