Walker’s Texas Division, C.S.A: Greyhounds of the Trans-Mississippi
by Richard Lowe (LSU Press, 2004)

In late April and early May of 1863, Brig. Gen. John G. Walker’s Division of Texas troops, known as “Walker’s Greyhounds” because of their rapid and frequent marching, moved from Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Monroe, Louisiana. Brig. Gen. Henry McCulloch’s brigade, of Walker’s Division, would attack the Union forces at Milliken’s Bend on June 7.

Richard Lowe’s history of Walker’s Division is a splendid account, packed full of the voices of the soldiers themselves taken from their letters, diaries, and other reminiscences. I was astonished at the depth and detail that Lowe found for these men. Confederate sources are rare enough; to find so many for a Trans-Mississippi unit is truly impressive. Lowe takes them from the earliest days of recruiting in Texas, to the very end of the war. In addition to a chapter devoted to Milliken’s Bend, he also writes about their actions at Pleasant Hill and Mansfield, and their participation in Jenkins’ Ferry. In their efforts to turn back Union general Banks during the Red River campaign, they marched 900 miles in just two months, experienced three major engagements, and in the space of three weeks lost 40 percent of their force, killed, wounded, or missing (p.xii). Though Gen. Richard Taylor was not impressed with their behavior at Milliken’s Bend, they more than redeemed themselves during Red River.

To supplement the text, Lowe has compiled numerous helpful statistical studies, such as home counties, ages, occupations, property holdings, casualties, and more. The book is illustrated by helpful and easy-to-read maps. The bibliography and source citations are always as important to me as the text itself, and I must credit him for alerting me to additional sources that were helpful in my own work.

Any fan of the Trans-Mississippi theater, Confederate unit histories, or for someone just looking for a change of pace, who wishes to learn about a fine Confederate commander and his men, in a forgotten theater of the war, would be well-advised to read this book. It is written in a smooth, engaging style and will carry you along with the action.