John H. Reagan

Reagan ran the Confederate mails by austerity. Required by the Confederate Constitution to make the department pay its way, he abolished the franking privilege, raised postal rates, cut costly routes and persuaded railroad executives to halve their charges and take Confederate bonds. He was captured with Jefferson Davis near Abbeville, Georgia, on May 9, 1865, and spent twenty-two weeks in solitary confinement at Fort Warren. There he wrote an open letter on August 11 urging Texans to renounce secession and slavery and, if required, give the vote to former slaves. Most Texans turned against him for it.

What the plaque says

John H. Reagan Delegate Texas Secession Convention. While member 1st Confederate Congress, made postmaster general C.S.A. 1861. Difficult job begun by raid on U.S. Postal Dept. for southern personnel asking them to get maps, forms. Despite seizure mail by enemy, army draft of clerks and carriers and split of South, department carried on. At war's end imprisoned Boston. Later U.S. Senator, first chairman Railroad Commission. A Memorial to Texas who served the Confederacy. Erected by the State of Texas 1963.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Alley Oop Park and Iraan Museum — 33 mi
  An oil-boom town named for Ira and Ann Yates, where the creator of the caveman comic Alley Oop once worked, and a park of giant cartoon figures beside the town museum.

More markers nearby

• The First Bank in Big Lake — steps away
• John H. Reagan — steps away
• Martin-Castillo Expedition — steps away
• City of Big Lake — 0.9 mi