A group that works to preserve Missouri’s Civil War heritage plans to erect a granite monument in Houston and is looking for a place to locate it.
John Christensen of Cassville, commander of the Gen. James H. McBride Camp #632, which is associated with the Sons of Confederate Veterans, said the monument would join more than 50 sites in Missouri with similar ones.
The 5-foot tall monument of Gen. James McBride would stand on a one-foot base. It is 4-foot wide and 8 inches thick. It has a rooftop cut, which means it comes to a point at the top. The front has a full-color Missouri State Guard flag since McBride was the commander of the 7th Division of the Missouri State Guard. The back features a full-color Sons of Confederate Veterans logo and will have the words, “Deo Vindice,” (God Will Vindicate) with the date of erection.
On the back is inscribed:
Erected by
Gen. James H. McBride Camp #632
Col. Emmett MacDonald Camp #1846
Missouri Division
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Springfield Chapter #625
United Daughters of the Confederacy
Texas County Historical Society.
There is no cost to the community, and a dedication ceremony is held when the monument is in place.
In October 1861, Missouri severed its ties to the Union and officially seceded and became the 12th Confederate state. War ensued for four years. The Sons of the Confederate Veterans works to preserve the history and legacy of those involved in the conflict.
In 1859, McBride moved to Texas County from Springfield and was elected as county circuit court judge. He was in this position in May 1861 when he received word that he had been promoted to the rank of brigadier general by Missouri Gov. Jackson. It is said he adjourned court immediately to accept the command of the 7th Division of the Missouri State Guard.
McBride led his division in battle near Springfield during the Battle of Oak Hills (Wilson’s Creek). Later, soldiers engaged in battle at Lexington. In later years, he worked on recruitment before relocating to Arkansas, where he died in 1863. In 1958, his family obtained a headstone from the U.S. government and placed it on his grave. The last living member of McBride’s immediate family was Capt. Robert C. McBride, who was living in Houston in 1914.
Have an idea where to place the statute?
Contact John Christensen at 417-847-4641 or write 1417 Oak Hill Drive, Cassville, Mo. 65625 or e-mail at johnnyreb@leru.net