Major Guy M. Bryan, C.S.A.

Bryan spent his last decades keeping the Revolution's memory in order. After the war he lived mostly in Galveston. The voters returned him to the Texas House in 1873, 1879 and 1887, and he was speaker of the Fourteenth Legislature in 1874. He was a charter member of the Texas Veterans Association and its president from 1892 until his death in 1901, and a charter member and vice president of the Texas State Historical Association. The Kenyon College graduate, who gave up the study of law when his eyesight failed, became the veterans' voice.

What the plaque says

Major Guy M. Bryan, C.S.A. (1821-1901) Born in Missouri. Rode a mule to Texas in 1831 to join his uncle, Stephen F. Austin, Father of Texas. A private in Texas War for Independence. Legislator, congressman, member of Texas Secession Convention. Enlisted as a private in the Civil War, but his administrative ability, diplomacy and political understanding soon cast him in the role of troubleshooter and liaison man between state and Confederate governments and the military. Convinced C. S. A. leaders of need to leave enough troops in Texas to guard coastline and prevent Indian attacks. Arranged 1862 Conference of Governors of Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, and delivered their request to President Jefferson Davis for creation of a strong military department west of the Mississippi River. Helped reorganize armed forces in East Texas. Served as confidential adjutant to both Pres. Davis and Trans-Mississippi commanding general. Settled dispute among military, state of Texas and Confederacy on acquisition and sale of cotton-- lifeblood of the South. Took part in battles in April 1864 to prevent Federal invasion of Texas. Arranged governors' conferences in 1863 and 1865. Buried in state cemetery in Austin. (1966)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Levi Jordan Plantation State Historic Site — 11 mi
  A sugar and cotton plantation on the San Bernard River whose enslaved builders and their descendants left one of the best-preserved African American archeological sites in Texas.
• Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge — 11 mi
  Coastal prairie, salt marsh and bays between Freeport and Christmas Bay, where an auto tour along Big Slough passes wintering geese, ducks and wading birds in the tens of thousands.
• Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site — 16 mi
  A Brazos sugar plantation built by enslaved people for the Patton family, later leased convict labor and Hogg family oil, now told through Rachel Patton and Sarah Ford.

More markers nearby

• One-Eighth Mile South to Peach Point — steps away
• Battle of Jones Creek — steps away
• Major Reuben R. Brown — steps away
• William Joel Bryan — steps away