8th Infantry Regiment was organized during the summer of 1862 by consolidating the 8th Texas
Infantry Battalion and Shea's Texas Artillery Battalion. The unit contained one cavalry, four
infantry, and five artillery companies, and served in the Trans-Mississippi Department. It
confronted the Federals primarily in Texas but saw action at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill in Louisiana. In July,
1864, the regiment had 368 effectives and in April 1865, there were 294 present. However, only
a handful surrendered on June 2. The field officers were Colonel A. M. Hobby, Lieutenant
Colonels John Ireland and Daniel D. Shea, and Major John A. Vernon.
