William L. Cabell

William L. Cabell

William Lewis Cabell was born in Virginia in 1827 and was one of six brothers who served in the Confederate army during the Civil War. Cabell graduated from West Point in 1850 and was commissioned lieutenant in the 7th US Infantry. During his service in the US Army, Cabell served mostly in Arkansas and the Indian Territory. When the Civil War began, Cabell resigned his commission and offered his services to the Confederacy. Cabell received was commissioned a major and appointed chief quartermaster of General P.G.T. Beauregard’s army during the Battle of First Manassas. When General Joseph Johnston assumed command of the Confederate Army of the Potomac, he kept Cabell on his staff as quartermaster. In January 1862, Major Cabell was transferred out west and was appointed to the staff of Maj. Gen. Earl Van Dorn, again in the quartermaster role. In October 1862, Brig. Gen. William L. Cabell led a brigade comprised of Arkansas troops during the Battles of Iuka and Corinth. During Steele’s Camden Expedition in April 1864, Cabell’s Brigade was part of Fagan’s Cavalry Division and fought at the Battles of Poison Spring and Marks’ Mills.

Cabell’s Brigade remained part of Fagan’s command during Price’s 1864 invasion of Missouri. Cabell was almost captured on October 22 during the Second Battle of Independence. Cabell was responsible for guarding the Confederate wagon train during the Battle of Westport. On October 25, was unable to escape capture during the Battle of Mine Creek.

When the Civil War ended, Cabell settled in Fort Smith, Arkansas and started a law practice. Cabell moved to Dallas, Texas in 1872 and became active in local politics. In 1874, Cabell was elected mayor of Dallas.