JULIUS GAYLE

Julius A. Gayle was born at Bayou La Fourche in La Fourche Parish, Louisiana, in about 1843. His parents were William C. Gayle and Julia Anjella Cain. They were enumerated on the 1850 census of La Fourche Parish with three children, Julius being the eldest.

Julius�s parents immigrated to Texas in about 1855, and his father died soon afterwards. By 1860, his mother was the head of family in Walker County. She was enumerated as a school teacher. Julius was occupied as a laborer.

In April, 1862, Julius joined a cavalry company formed at Danville in Montgomery County under Capt. Samuel D. Wooldridge, as did Andrew J. Brooks and Hamilton and J. R. O'Banion, sons of neighbors of the Gayles. Julius was eighteen years old.

Julius rode to Arkansas with the rest of his regiment, the Second Texas Lancers. and was dismounted upon arrival there. The regiment became the 24th Texas Cavalry (Dismounted), and the men were stationed at Pine Bluff during the summer, but spent the fall at Ft. Hindman, Arkansas Post, building winter cabins and drilling as infantry. Julius was apparently among the many who became ill because of the swampy and unhealthy conditions at Ft. Hindman.

He was captured January 11, 1863 in the Battle of Arkansas Post and was sent up the Mississippi with the other Confederate Prisoners.

He was left at City General Hospital in St. Louis with thirteen other sick and wounded men of his company.

Julius died on February 2, 1863. His name is on a Union roll entitled List of Confederate prisoners who have died in the Department of the Missouri--Captured Arkansas Post--Cause of Death, Chronic Diarrhea. Another roll states that he had debilitas, which meant chronic weakness or wasting away.

The Government Undertaker�s Certificate states that he died of pneumonia and chronic diarrhea.

Julius was buried on February 2, 1863, in Plot #20-0-4791 at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis.

A special thank you to Scott McKay for sharing this photo of the marker of J. A. Gayle. Scott researches the Tenth Texas Infantry, which was brigaded with the 24th Cavalry through most of the War.

You may view Scott McKay's other photos of Jefferson Barracks markers for men of the 24th Regiment Texas Cavalry.

You may view photos of the cemetery. You may also view Julius's name in the list of burials.

For further information and records of all Confederate soldiers of Montgomery County, Texas, as well as histories of the regiments they served in, see Montgomery County, Texas, CSA by Frank M. Johnson. The book may be purchased by visiting Frank's website at frankmjohnson.net or by contacting Frank at [email protected].

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