Memorials › Joseph F. "Joe" Berry

Joseph F. "Joe" Berry

1845 – 24 Jun 1863

Birth	1845
Death	24 Jun 1863
Added by	Lonestar on 25 Feb 2023
FaG	https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/249896854

Bio

Joseph was born to John and Hannah Berry late in the year 1845, or early in 1846, according to census records. His exact date of his birth is not known. The family moved from Burleson county to the Berry League in Williamson county during the winter of 1846, further complicating determining his actual place of birth. He was the first son born to John and Hannah after the death of John's oldest son, Joseph, in the Mier Expedition. The new baby was named in honor of his beloved older brother, a victim of murder by a soldier in the Mexican army. Joseph F. Berry grew up along the banks of Berry's Creek as one of the middle children in a large, busy family. He was about two years older than his brother, Silas, and it is likely the two boys were close companions throughout their childhood years. When Joe was about fifteen, Texas seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America. Joe watched as his four older brothers and three of his brothers-in-law enlisted in the Confederate Army or the Texas Militia. It is not hard to imagine Joe wanted to follow the other men of the family into the army, and no doubt his parents had qualms about allowing a boy his age to enlist. In the end, however, Joe prevailed and enlisted as a private in a cavalry company formed by Captain Robert Bonner Halley at Belton, Texas. Recruiting took place at the village of Salado, which was only a few hours' ride on horseback from the Berry League. Halley's company was commanded by Colonel John W. Mullen. It became Company "G", Unorganized Battalion, Texas-Arizona Volunteer Cavalry. This company bivouacked at Salado Springs through the winter of 1862. At Christmas, the Salado community gave them a big dance as a gesture of appreciation before their departure for battle. On the day the young cavalrymen rode away to war, the ladies of the town presented a handmade silk flag to each of the companies from Bell County. It was reported: "Before the company, drawn up in parade formation, some young lady of the county presented the flag to the captain, in an address full of tender affection and patriotic inspiration. The captain received it with an appropriate response on behalf of the company. . The occasion was one of sentiment and pathos. Every heart was filled with love for the Southern cause, and every eye held a tear for the splendid young soldiery of our country, thus generously offering their lives in defense of loved ones, home and country." Details of Joseph F. Berry's service are sketchy at best. It's known that Mullen's cavalry was one of three companies attached to Colonel William H. Parsons' 12th Cavalry Regiment and sent to Louisiana early in 1863. We also know that Joseph's mother, Hannah Devore Berry told the historian, A. J. Sowell that her son, Joe, was "killed in battle at Bayou Boeuf, Louisiana, at the age of eighteen." Reading various accounts of military activity in the vicinity of Bayou Boeuf (located in Lafourche Parish near Thibodaux) numerous battles and skirmishes were found. These began April 22, 1863, and continued intermittently until May 27, 1865, after the war had officially ended. However, the major engagement was the capture of Bayou Boeuf Crossing on June 24, 1863 by the Federal Army. It seems likely that this was the day on which Joseph F. Berry lost his life. As with so many other young men involved in the long, sad conflict, Joe's body was probably laid to rest in an anonymous mass grave near the battle site, along with the others who had given their lives for the lost cause. It is a sad and cruel coincidence that both of John Berry's sons to whom he gave the name "Joseph" were killed in battle.

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