Hood County Texas Genealogical Society

Biographical Note:

Major Arch Carmichael
"Oldest Texas-made Mason"

Written By: Unknown

The following family biographical note was scanned from the
Hood County Genealogical Society Newsletter No.27; August 1990
Editor: Merle McNeese

"AN OLD PIONEER GONE"

"Major Arch Carmichael died at his home August 15, 1896. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. C. C. McConnell on Sunday the 16th, from the text, "Man dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he." Job xi, 10. The remains were interred in the cemetery at Acton, with Masonic honors, the Acton and Granbury lodges participating. The ceremonies were witnessed by what was said to be the largest concourse of people ever assembled in Hood county.

"Major Carmichael was born in Roane county, Tennessee, April 4, 1819. He came to Texas in 1844 and resided in eastern Texas principally in Cherokee county until 1859, when he came west and settied the home where he resided at the time of his death. In all public matters pertaining to the good of his locality and county he has been a moving spirit. Mentally active, his voice has ever been extended, at times eloquently, in behalf of what he deemed right, and in denunciation of wrong. He became a member of the Masonic fraternity in 1845 and was said to be the oldest Texas- made Mason.

"He had been for several years a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and was a man of strong faith in God and in the efficacy of prayer. Nor did his faith falter at the approach of the king of terrors. Truly, he had set his house in order, and then patiently awaited his departure. . .

"By his death the church has lost a, loyal member, the Masonic fraternity a worthy brother, his family a. devoted husband and " father, the county one of its best citizens and society one of its bravest defenders. Peace to his ashes."

"Tribute of Respect
"In social convocation of Granbury lodge 392 it was announced to the lodge that our worthy brother A. Carmichael, Sr., who was raised to the sublime honor of a Master Mason in 1845, was called from labor to refreshment on the 15th of August, 1896; therefore be it Resolved, that Granbury lodge, at his request, assisted by Acton lodge, lay his body to rest with the usual Masonic honors, and that we wear the badge of mourning thirty days; that a copy of the proceedings be given a, full page on the minutes of the lodge and that the same be published in the Granbury papers, and, furthermore, that a certified copy of same be delivered to his surviving companion.

          J. R. Morris,
          J. F, Kerr,
          A. H. Iverson,
          Committee"



    Sylvia Carmichael Campbell of Granbury has a number of mementos of her great grandfather, Archibald Carmichael, Sr., one of which is the copy of his obituary copied on the preceding page. Others relate to his service in the Texas militia organized to protect the frontier against Indian depredations during the years of the Civil War. Many young men had left to join the Confederate Army which left many women and children unprotected who lived in out- lying areas.

    Following are copies of some of his papers relating to his mili- tary service. Hood County was a part of Johnson Co. at this time as it was not formed as a. separate county until 1866.


    "Buchanan, Texas July 25th 1862

    "Col. A. Carmichael is hereby authorized to enlist men for the Regiment of Partisans I am now raising. The recruits may join any company belonging to the regiment that has not the maximum number of men, or they may when a sufficient number of men are recruited organize a company and report to me at Camp McCullough and the company will be regularly mustered into the service pro- vided the regiment be not already full.
    /s/ E. J. Gurley
    Col. Comdg. Camp McCullough"


    "Acton, Texas August 16th, A.D. 1862
    Brig. Gen, N Terry.) A. Carmichael Regmt.
    Fort Worth ) L S T of Johnson cty Texas
    "Sir this is a trew(sic) report of the number & condition of my Regmt officers
    A. Carmichael Col in comd. Elected March 22 day 1862 Lut Col James F Scurlock "
    Maj
    Company n Precinct No. 5                     Feb 15                    "
    Capt Henry Duglas                                    "                          "
    Ist Lut. A Monroy                                      "                          "
    2nd   " jr J.L,A. Berry                                "                          "
    
    Company B Precinct No. 4             Elected Feb 22            1862
    Capt A J Heart                                            "                           "
    Ist Lut J M Cocks                                       "                           "
    2nd " G J Richey                                         "                           "
    2nd " jr. J B Maitland                               July                         "
    Company C Precinct No. 1
    Capt John W. Moody                               Feb 22                      "
    Ist Lut George R. Edgar                              "                            "
    2nd James B. Dunn                                  Aug 1                       "
    2nd " jr. G H Maxey                                  July                         "
    
    Company D Precinct No. 6
    Capt David Swank                                   Aug 1                         "
    Ist Lut
    2nd
    2nd " jr
    Company E Precinct No, 8
    Capt
    Ist Lut J. Mitchel                                     March 22                    "
    2nd
    2nd " jr
    
    Company F Precinct No. 3
    Capt James Ross                                            "                             "
    Ist Lut Luis Goen                                           "                             '
    2nd   n S. T. Quinn                                         "                             "
    2nd   " jr s. a. Davis                                        "                              "
    
    Company G Precinct No. 2
    Capt Josiah P. Wittchier                              Aug 1                          "
    Ist Lut Dan C. Payne                                  March 22                      "
    2nd " James Kelley                                      Aug 1                           "
    2nd " jr R J Jennings                                   March 22                       "
    
    Company H Precinct No. 7
    Capt G. W. Mathews                                       "                                 "
    Ist Lut Joseph Winters                                  July                               "
    2nd   " John Allison                                    March 22                        "
    2nd   " jr John L. Trimble                                "                                 "
    
    Company I Precinct No. 9
    Capt George R. Shannon                               Aug 1                             "
    Ist Lut George B. Granberry                              "                                 "
    2nd " J. R. McKinzy                                       Feb 22                           "
    2nd " jr T. B. Eliott                                           Aug 1                           "
    
    Surgeon W.A. Kuykendall           Appointed(sic) June 25th 1862
    Asst Surgeon J.C. Cornelious                                 "
    Chaplin G. H. Richa.rds                Apt July 10, 1862
    

    Muster Roll"
    Names of men subject to mulitia duty in Co. I, Precinct No. 9 Johnson Co., Texas for the month of July, A.D. 1862.

    Remarks
    Gee. R. Shannon was elected Capt on the Ist day of Aug 1862. vice R. F. Cope resigned, Cope was previously elected vice. H. G, Bruce resigned. Gee. B. Granberry was elected same day first Lieut. Vice Gee. R. Shannon promoted, T. B. Elliott was elected same day as Jun. 2d Lieut. Vice G. E. Coombs resigned.

    Capt Gee. R. Shannon
    Ist Lieut J. R, McKinsey
    2nd   "    T. B. Elliott
    O.S. M. Pendleton
     ?   John Hunter
     ?   Wm, C. Cra.wford
     ?   M. Wood
    Sergeant Wm. Osbern
    Corporals
    Ist T. J. Mills
    2nd I. B. Hudson
    3rd Hugh Guinn
    4th C. Dunaway
    
    Pr ivates
    L. D. Smith
    J. L. Gant
    G. R. Collins
    B. Bransom
    J. E. Jenkins
    James Blair
    A.  L. Whitsett
    ;I. H. Hewett
    J.  E. Roa.ds
    J.  T. Stewart
    

    I G R Sha.nnon hereby certify that the within Muster Roll exhibits the true state of my company to this date Aug Ist 1862.
    /s/ G R Shannon Capt"


                                     "Buck Creek, Johnson Co. Texas
                                                  July 25th 1862
    
    "This is to certify that Fred Lafon was duly elected junior second
    Lieutenant at our regular company muster, on Saturday July Igth
    1862, vice J. L, A. Berry, promoted.
    
    To Col. A. Carmichael
    Comdg Regiment                   Signed H. Douglas, Capt
                                                   Comdg. Co. Beat No. 5
                                                   Johnson Co. Texas"

                                     "Buchanan April 21st 186'3
    
    
    Buchanan April 21st 1863
    
    Col.
    You will please detail a detachment of men from your Regt. to wit:
    one Commissioned officer, one non-Commissioned officer, and at
    least twelve privats, armed~& mounted, with ten rounds of ammun-
    ition for each man if possible to report to me at this place as
    soon as possible to assist in arresting, & forwarding some deser-
    ters who are now in this county, one of whom I have arrested &
    placed in the County Jail for want of men to guard him.
    
                                     /s/ W. M. Heath Sergt Major
                                         Actg by order of
                                         Brig Gen Steele Comdg
                                         Dept Indian Territory
    
    A. Carmichael Col.
    Comdg Johnson Co. Malitia
    
    P.S.
      The men must be prepared to camp out--they will have subsis-
      tance furnished after two days from the time they report to me.
                                         /s/ E. M. H., S.M.

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