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Texas Civil War Museum celebrates 10th birthday
By media release
Jan 19, 2016

On January 25, 2016, the Texas Civil War Museum will begin its second decade by adding new exhibits.  U.S. Major General Phillip Henry Sheridan's sword, scabbard, saddle blanket and one of his headquarters' flags will join the impressive line-up of artifacts from Generals U.S. Grant, Benjamin Butler, Robert E. Lee, Jeb Stuart and Joe Shelby.

Sheridan’s rapid rise to major general and his close association with General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant allowed for his transfer from command of an infantry division in the Western Theater to lead the Cavalry Crops of the Army of the Potomac in the East.  In 1864, he defeated Confederate forces in the Shenandoah Valley and his destruction of the economic infrastructure of the Valley, called “The Burning” by residents, was one of the first uses of scorched earth tactics in the war.  In 1865, his cavalry pursued Confederate General Robert E. Lee and was instrumental in forcing his surrender at Appomattox. 

Grant was also concerned about Maximilian in neighboring Mexico and gave Sheridan permission to assemble 50,000 men to patrol the U.S.-Mexico border.  The Army’s presence helped induce the French to abandon their claims against Mexico.  In March 1867, with Reconstruction barely started, Sheridan was appointed the military governor of the Fifth Military District (Texas and Louisiana).  He dismissed Texas Governor James W. Throckmorton, a former Confederate, for being an “impediment to the reconstruction of the State.”

Shortly afterwards, President Andrew Johnson removed Sheridan, stating: “His rule has, in fact, been one of absolute tyranny, without references to the principles of our government or the nature of our free institutions.” 

Sheridan was unpopular in Texas, and he did not have much appreciation for the Lone Star State.  In 1866, he reportedly quipped:  “If I owned Texas and Hell, I would rent Texas and live in Hell.”

In addition to the new exhibit over a dozen, original flags will rotate on exhibit, many of these being from Texas Confederate units.

In the last ten years, the museum has expanded its footprint to become the largest, most comprehensive Civil War museum in the country.  It has conducted over 1,250 school field trips involving 51,000 students from as far away as Monterey, Mexico.  Over 200,000 visitors have come from all fifty states and 105 countries.   Over 100 volunteers have donated 32,000 hours contributing to the museum’s success as a popular educational venue and tourist destination. 

“The Texas Civil War Museum is one of the finest museums in the nation,” states famed Chief National Park Historian Emeritus Ed Bears on a recent visit.

The museum is located at 760 Jim Wright Freeway, North (West Loop 820) in Fort Worth.  Information can be obtained by calling 817.246.2323 or at the website: www.texascivilwarmuseum.com