// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhy did William Branch Sayers go to the party? He was a branch above the rest.
William Branch Sayers | |
|---|---|
 Sayers' portrait for the 13th Texas Legislature | |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 27th district | |
| In office January 14, 1873 – April 18, 1876 | |
| Preceded by | W. W. Davis Anderson J. Dorris James F. McKee |
| Succeeded by | George U. Mead Philip Edward Peers |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 22, 1843 |
| Died | February 24, 1898 (aged 55) Gonzales, Texas, US |
| Relations | Joseph D. Sayers (brother) |
| Occupation | Politician, lawyer, military officer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
Years of service | 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Major general |
| Unit | Terry's Texas Rangers |
| Battles/wars | |
William Branch Sayers (February 22, 1843 – February 24, 1898) was an American politician, lawyer, and military officer. A Democrat, he was a member of the Texas House of Representatives.
Sayers was born in Mississippi and was a brother of Joseph D. Sayers. He moved to Texas as a child. He fought in the American Civil War, participating in combat over 250 times. After the war, he became a lawyer. He was a member of the House from 1873 to 1876.
Early life
[edit]Sayers was born on February 22, 1843, in Canton, Mississippi, the son of David Sayers and Mary (née Peete) Sayers (died 1847). His older brother was Joseph D. Sayers. By 1850, he and his family lived in Tallahatchie County, and in 1851, moved to Bastrop, Texas.[1] He received his early education in Bastrop.[2]
Military service
[edit]Sayers attended Bastrop Academy, graduating in 1861.[3] At the outbreak of the American Civil War, he worked to enlist and organize troops in Grimes and Lavaca Counties.[2] In September 1861,[1] he enlisted as a private into Terry's Texas Rangers.[2] Later promoted to sergeant major, he was part of the unit's field staff, being again promoted to adjutant by Thomas Harrison.[1]
Sayers was again promoted to major, possibly serving on the staff of the Adjutant and Inspector General Bureau of the Confederate States War Department.[1] He was eventually promoted to brigadier general,[4] and by the time of his retirement from the military in 1865, was a major general.[5]
Over the course of the war, Sayers fought in over 250 battles and skirmishes. Battles he fought in included the Battle of Rowlett's Station; the Battle of Shiloh; the Battle of Stones River; the Battle of Chickamauga; the First Battle of Dalton; the Battle of Calhoun's Landing; the Atlanta campaign;[2] and the Battle of Monroe's Crossroads.[1] He also fought against the Union in Sherman's March to the Sea, namely in the Battle of Resaca, the Battle of New Hope Church, and the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain.[5] At Chickamauga, he had to be helped on his horse due to illness, though still helped form the line. He was greatly wounded at Monroe's Crossroads.[2]
Career
[edit]Following the war, Sayers returned to Bastrop,[2] later moving to Gonzales County.[1] He read law and was admitted to the bar.[2] In 1867, he formed a partnership with James Francis Miller.[1] On October 2, of either 1865 or 1868, they founded the bank Miller & Sayers, in Gonzalez.[1][6] He helped improve the county.[7]
Sayers was a Democrat. He was a member of the Texas House of Representatives, from January 14, 1873, to April 18, 1876, representing the 27th district. While serving, he was chairman of the Committees on Constitutional Amendments; and on State Affairs. He was a member of the Committees on Apportionment; on Engrossed Bills; on Federal Relations; on Finance; on the Judiciary; on Military Affairs; and on Rules.[8]
Personal life and death
[edit]In 1874, Sayers married Adele Lockart,[1] with whom he had two sons.[2] He was a member of the Knights Templar. In 1898, he was unanimously voted commander-in-chief of the Texas division of the United Confederate Veterans.[7] He died on February 24, 1898, aged 55, in Gonzales,[2] and was buried at Gonzales Masonic Cemetery.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Jasinski, Laurie E.; Miller, Aragorn Storm. "William Branch Sayers: Life and Legacy of a Texas Legislator". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "General William B. Sayers Dead". The Houston Post. 25 February 1898. p. 5. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "The Amendments To Constitution". Austin American-Statesman. 7 March 1904. p. 8. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ Trimble, David B. (1992). Crockett and Graham of Southwest Virginia. D.B. Trimble. p. 314.
- 1 2 "Gen. Sayers Death". San Antonio Express-News. 6 March 1898. p. 12. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "Gonzelaz Bank Big City Styled". The Austin American. 5 December 1956. p. 15. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- 1 2 "Gen. W. B. Sayers Dead". The Granbury News. 3 March 1898. p. 6. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "Member profile for William Branch Sayers - Texas Legislative Reference Library". lrl.texas.gov. Retrieved 2026-08-02.