County Named for Texas Confederate Colonel David B. Culberson

Culberson read law at Tuskegee under William B. Chilton, chief justice of Alabama, before moving to Texas in 1856. Elected to the legislature from Upshur County, he resigned his seat in 1860 because he opposed secession and his district favored it. After the war, as a Jefferson lawyer, he defended in the Stockade Case of 1869 and the Diamond Bessie murder trial. He served in Congress from 1875 to 1897, introduced antitrust legislation in 1888, and later helped codify federal law. His son Charles became governor of Texas.

What the plaque says

County Named for Texas Confederate Colonel David B. Culberson [front side] 1830-1900. Native Georgian. Came to Texas 1856. Although opposed to secession he aided in raising 18th Texas Infantry as Lt. Colonel, C.S.A. Made commanding Colonel of 18th in 1862. After service in Vicksburg area broken health forced resignation of command winter 1862-63. As Adjutant and Inspector General of Texas 1863-64 responsible for protection of frontier against Indian attacks, Union invasion. A Memorial to Texans Who Served the Confederacy. Erected by the State of Texas 1963. [reverse side] War brought turmoil to Indians living in Kansas and the Indian Territory, with unfortunate results for Texans on the frontier. Most Cherokees, Choctaws, Creeks and Seminoles aided the South, while others adhered to the North. Few Comanches made a treaty with the South; but a great majority with their allies, the Kiowas, held aloof from either side and plundered the frontier at will. Apaches and Kickapoos did the same from Mexico. Texas and Confederate troops, despite poor arms and mounts, held defense lines until war's end. (1963)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Hotel El Capitan — 0.2 mi
  Henry Trost's Spanish Revival hotel of 1930 in Van Horn, named for the cliff at the end of the Guadalupe Mountains, restored and back in business as an inn.

More markers nearby

• Culberson County — 4.0 mi
• Van Horn Wells — 11 mi