Fought in the War for Texas Independence, 1835-36
Killed at the battle of Blair's Landing, Louisiana in 1864
(1814-64) He graduated from the University of Nashville, and studied law under his father who was a justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court. Green left Tennessee in 1835 to join the Texas volunteers and fought in the Texan Revolution, 1835–36. At the Battle of San Jacinto, he helped operate the famed "Twin Sisters" cannons, the only artillery present in General Sam Houston's army. A few days after their decisive victory, Houston rewarded Green with a commission as lieutenant. In early May, he was promoted to major and assigned as aide-de-camp to General Thomas J. Rusk. In 1840, he participated in the campaign against the Comanche Indians on the Colorado River. During the Mexican War, he served under General Zachary Taylor, recruited a company of Texas Rangers, designated the 1st Texas Rifles, and served as their captain during the 1846 capture of Monterrey. He served as clerk of the Texas Supreme Court, 1841-61, in the Republic of Texas, and the State of Texas. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was appointed colonel of the 5th Texas Cavalry which he led at the battle of Valverde, New Mexico Territory. He distinguished himself at Galveston, Texas, and under General Richard Taylor in Louisiana. Promoted to brigadier general, May 20, 1863, he saw action in the Red River campaign, at the battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill, and he was killed in action at Blair's Landing, Louisiana, on April 12, 1864, when he was struck by a shell from one of the Union gunboats.
Signature with Date: 4 x 2, in ink, Filed Oct. 5, 1857, T. Green, Clk., S.C. This was written by Green when he served as clerk of the Texas Supreme Court. |