The Civil War era produced many interesting figures in Texas history. Among them was Samuel B. Maxey, a lawyer, Confederate general, and U.S. Senator.

Samuel Bell Maxey was born in 1825 in southern Kentucky. His father, Rice Maxey, was an attorney. He attended school faithfully, and in 1842, he was selected to attend the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. His roommate was Stonewall Jackson and attended classes with Ulysses S. Grant. He struggled academically at West Point but graduated in 1846 as a second lieutenant.

As his class graduated, the United States was entering the war with Mexico. Maxey was assigned to an infantry unit in Monterey. He saw action in some of the fiercest battles of the Mexican War and was cited for his bravery and promoted to first lieutenant. As the war end

See Full Page