Colonel C. M. Winkler

Clinton McKamy Winkler had little formal schooling; his mother, the daughter of a prominent teacher, saw to his education. Born in Burke County, North Carolina, in 1821, he moved with his family to Indiana in 1835 and settled at Franklin, Robertson County, Texas, in July 1840. Judge R. E. B. Baylor admitted him to the bar in 1844. He moved to Navarro County in 1847, won a seat in the legislature that year and is credited with the act making Corsicana the county seat. After the war he became grand master of the state Masonic lodge in 1870.

What the plaque says

Colonel C. M. Winkler Native North Carolina. Start of Civil War, organized and took company 150 men to join Confederate army in Virginia. Unit made part 4th Texas Infantry of famed Hood's Brigade. Rose to command regiment as lt. colonel. Fought with famous unit in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee. Distinguished himself second Manassas, wounded at Gettysburg. Surrendered with General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox. (1963)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Roy Orbison Museum — 7.9 mi
  A volunteer-run room in the oil town where Roy Orbison spent his high school years, opened on request, with a guitar he played and his tinted prescription sunglasses.
• Million Barrel Museum — 22 mi
  An oil reservoir that could not hold oil, then a water park that lasted one day, now a museum in Monahans with the story of the Pyote bomber base beside it.
• Monahans Sandhills State Park — 23 mi
  A small corner of a 200-mile dune field east of the Pecos, where fresh water lies just under the sand and a forest of shin oak grows no higher than your knee.

More markers nearby

• Moorhead Cable Tool Rig — 0.8 mi
• Winkler County — 0.9 mi
• Kermit — 1.1 mi
• Old Duval Townsite — 2.3 mi