Talking about scalawags and bushwhackers
In his book “Burnet County History Vol. I” published by the Burnet Historical Commission in 1979, Darrell Debo defines a scalawag as a scamp, imp or rascal. A bushwhacker, however, is someone who makes his way through the woods by cutting the undergrowth.
The two descriptions almost sound cute or romantic, as verbs. But in Burnet County and across Texas during the Civil War and Reconstruction years from 1861-1874, the descriptions changed to nouns. The new definitions read: “Scalawag — A native white, wicked Southerner who deliberately committed evil acts under the guise of supporting the government (North or South) during Reconstruction.”
And as for bushwhacker, the meaning changed to “a Confederate guerrilla.”
The Texas vote on the question of succeeding from the Union was held Feb. 23, 1861. The counties considered as Central Texas include Bell, Blanco, Burnet, Coryell, Gillespie, Hays, Lampasas, Llano, Mason, San Saba, Travis and Williamson. The majority of the residents in those counties voted against succession, 2,075 to 1,286.
Burnet County was only 9 years old when the votes for secession were cast. Most residents did not own slaves, and as reflected in the vote, many held anti-secessionist views.
Despite that sentiment, the county provided its share of men and support to the Confederacy.
Burnet County escaped the ravages of Civil War battles, but unfortunately the war cast a dark and ominous pall, and soon small bands of lawless men terrorized those they believed to be Union loyalists.
They were called “bushwhackers.” It did not matter if a man was prosperous and successful (such as the first County Judge John Scott); if he was suspected of being a Union sympathizer, he was targeted.
Take the case of Scott. He settled in the Oatmeal community, planted the first orchard in the county and operated a successful cheese press.
Yet he was born in New York and was raised in New Jersey, and was known to have voted against secession, so he was murdered.
There were others who were killed, but no one was ever brought to trial for the crimes. These were acts of cold-blooded murder, and under our laws there is no statute of limitations on murder. In modern terminology, there were horrific acts of hate crimes committed in the county and should still be considered open cases.
My religious beliefs tell me that justice was carried out in the everlasting when the criminals stood before their maker. But it would be great to have the mysteries solved here on Earth.
Does anyone want to open some “cold-case” files?
Bryson is a former Highland Lakes reporter. Her e-mail is oliverplaceranch@wildblue.net.