"The South Kansas - Texas Cavalry" Topic

The 3rd Texas Cavalry was originally known as the South Kansas – Texas Cavalry. (fought as such at Wilson's Creek) I'm wondering why. Wikipedia says it was because it was originally raised (in north Texas) to fight along the northern border -- i.e. the border with Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). But was Indian Territory ever known as South Kansas? Seems unlikely.

Sorry about the multiple posts. When I clicked to post it, nothing happened. Only when I refreshed the screen could I see that it has indeed posted.

Several Texas Regiments were designated to serve north of the Red River in the Kansas Territories – Assume they were originally designated for there.

Note their initial march took them up into Arkansas and through "Indian" Territory on the way to MO

History is full of these fascinating little mysteries. The National Park Service surmises " It was also called "South Kansas-Texas Regiment" probably because it was organized to serve in Kansas." Source: link

Although I couldn't find any indication in the various write-ups of unit history that it actually got there…although it was with McCulloch's command at Wilson's Creek in Missouri in August 1861.

Since the unit was raised about six months after the state of Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state, one might presume that the Texans were refusing to acknowledge the new state and were referring to the former Kansas territory when the regiment was named.

Arkansas was solid south. The Indian Nations were at least sympathetic to the southern cause, as they too kept slaves. Missouri was sure to be a battleground with neither faction there having clear sway.

The closest hard union turf was Kansas. Those fearing trouble would logically look to Kansas as its' source. Those looking for trouble need look no farther than Kansas.

At Wilson's Creek a considerable chunk of Lyon's infantry were in 2 large Kansas Regiments.

It makes perfect sense that Texians would be focused on Kansas.

Then why "south" Kansas? And, no, Arkansas was not "solid south." Many residents were anti-secession, although also anti-coercion. Sounds to me like South Kansas was another name for Indian Territory, but I've never seen it so termed elsewhere. McCulloch was officially the Confederate commander for Indian Territory (Hardee for most of Arkansas), but he wound up in Missouri to meet the threat of Lyon's army coming south, which he did on his own initiative, only obtaining official sanction after the fact.

With the NPS's statement in mind, I have never come across a ACW volunteer regiment being designated by where it served (or intended to serve.) Designations were made by where the unit originated.

I would speculate, that when the Third Texas Cavalry was forming, they may have had several Kansans from the southern portion of the state who, after travelling south to join a CS regiment, insisted on being represented in the regiment's name.

Why "South Kansas"? Maybe to designate themselves from the Free-Staters that populated the rest of the State of Kansas.

Of course this theory supposes that there were enough Southern sympathizers in Kansas who traveled to Texas to join this regiment in the first place. On this, I do not know. Perhaps Southern Kansas had enough former "Border Ruffians" from the Bleeding Kansas days who made such a trek.

This is all 100% speculation on my part.

Also, I agree with Don regarding Arkansas.

I believe some of the troopers in this unit where from Kansas. Since Trans Mississippi ACW is almost all I play in the ACW, I am shocked I dont have proof at hand.

"Confederate Cavalry West of the River" by Stephen Oates does not address the name, but it does note that two "3rd" cavalry regiments were raised in Texas in 1861; the 3rd under Phillips, and the 3rd South Kansas-Texas under Greer.