Author depicts ordinary man in extraordinary times
Correspondent
Published May 10, 2009
“Moss Bluff Rebel: A Texas Pioneer in the Civil War,” by Philip Caudill, Texas A&M University Press, 232 pages, $29.95.+++
William Barry Duncan was a Texas pioneer, politician and businessman. “Moss Bluff Rebel,” by Philip Caudill is a biography of Duncan, focusing on Duncan’s career as a Confederate officer.
Duncan, a veteran of the Texas War of Independence, afterward dabbled in local politics, was elected sheriff in Liberty County, and became a successful businessman. He made his money through trading; mainly cattle, although he turned his hand at any profitable deal.
Caudill presents the portrait of a reluctant warrior. When the Civil War started, Duncan was married, in his mid-40s, and had a successful business, which he enjoyed.
Duncan preferred union to secession. He was only mildly interested in national politics and initially uninterested in the war as it developed. Duncan’s business required his presence to continue.
Despite this, a year after the war began Duncan accepted a commission in a cavalry company of Spaight’s Battalion.
It was known as the Moss Bluff Rebels, after a Liberty County landmark. It was a decision reluctantly made from a sense of duty to his community, as he joined before conscription was enacted.
Caudill follows Duncan through his years of service. It is a tale of unglamorous garrison duty, riding patrols along the Texas coast, waiting for rare opportunities to visit his beloved home and family.
Caudill shows how Duncan’s business acumen and leadership skills made him an effective officer.
He also shows a man who carried out his duty, even at the expense of his health and fortune.
Duncan’s Civil War service exhausted Duncan physically and emotionally.
Duncan drinks too hard and gambles too much yet maintains fidelity to family, friends and community.
The most remarkable thing about Duncan was his unremarkability. Duncan wasn’t insignificant or unsuccessful, but didn’t lead the type of life celebrated by the heroic school of Texas history.
Duncan never achieved high political office, founded a major business or saw decisive combat.
Rather, Duncan was the type of everyman who keeps society moving and improving.
“Moss Bluff Rebel” depicts an ordinary man in extraordinary times. The book is valuable because of that.
Caudill lets readers view the life of the average Texan of the Civil War — the man who served but missed belonging to Hood’s Brigade or Walker’s Texas Greyhounds.
Caudill, an author from The Woodlands, lets readers experience everyday wartime Texas, and view ordinary people picking up the pieces of their lives afterward.
Mark Lardas, an engineer, freelance writer, amateur historian and model-maker, lives in League City and is the author of two books on the Civil War.