DeKalb County's Connection to Howard Hughes
One hundred fifty years ago this April, DeKalb County was full of soldiers. General John Hunt Morgan’s Confederate cavalry was headquartered in McMinnville and Rosecrans’ Union Army was probing and feinting from Murfreesboro attempting to locate a suitable path to Chattanooga.
On April 2, 1963, a Confederate cavalry force approaching 2,000 mounted men battled a mixed force of Union cavalry, infantry, and artillery at Snow’s Hill. These Confederates belonged to Morgan’s cavalry but were led in the fight by Colonel Richard M. Gano.
Colonel Gano lived in Texas at the outbreak of war. He was born in Kentucky in Bourbon County. His grandfather was the first General Gano of the War of 1812 fame. The first General Gano’s father, John Gano, is credited with baptizing George Washington in the Potomac River. Colonel Gano also was active in the ministry both before and after the War.
Colonel Gano studied under Alexander Campbell and graduated from Bethany College in what is presently West Virginia in 1847. He then attended Louisville Medical University graduating in 1849 and began a medical practice in Kentucky. He moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, continuing to practice medicine, but also preached and helped plant Christian churches on the frontier. In 1859 he moved to northeast Texas and added farming and raising livestock to his other duties. He was elected to the Texas legislature in 1860 but resigned in 1861 to enter Confederate service coming east to fight.
By February 1863, he was given command of Morgan’s First Cavalry Brigade. Following the Battle of Snow’s Hill, Colonel Gano led his men and Morgan’s survivors of the Great Raid at the Battle of Chickamauga. After this Confederate triumph, Gano was promoted to general and transferred to Texas and assumed command of all Texas cavalry in the Trans-Mississippi Department. His exploits there garnered a recommendation to major general, but the war ended prior to official government action on the request.
Back at home General Gano returned to preaching, farming and ranching. He is credited with baptizing 10,000-16,000 Texans into Christ during his lifetime. His ranching likewise experienced explosive growth. He acquired most of what is now Big Bend National Park and established the first cattle ranch there.
His family also grew and by 1905 he had a new great-grandson. His name was Howard R. Hughes, Jr. I expect the reader already knows his story.
General Gano lived in Texas until his death one hundred years ago. David Lipscomb published his obituary in the May 29, 1913 issue of the Gospel Advocate.
contributed by the Savage-Goodner Camp 1513 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans
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