Author Biography: Colorado Territory Civil War Volunteers

Written By

Lily Wright Budd

President, Columbine Genealogical and Historical Society, Inc.

Vice-Regent, Smoky Hill Trail Chapter

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

 

Edited By

Charles O. Counts

Honorary Captain, First Regiment Colorado Volunteers, A Living History Group

Commander of Colorado-Wyoming Department, Sons of Union Veterans

 

                         Lily Wright Budd was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, grew up and was educated in Texas where both her parents were born.  After receiving her B.B.A. Degree from Texas Tech University, she returned to New Mexicoto teach in the small town of Springer just south of the Maxwell’s Ranch mentioned in this history.  Her husband, Clarence Budd, was born in the “Raton Mountains” where his grandfather homesteaded when New Mexico was a Territory.  Lily and Clarence met at “Maxwell’s Ranch,” the site of the encampment of the Colorado Volunteers on their way to the Battle of LaGlorietta.  The Budds moved to Franktown, Colorado in 1968 and live just south of the Smoky Hill Trail in Douglas County.

                         Very familiar with the places mentioned in this history, Lily has visited the historical sites of both Ft. Union and Glorietta Pass, where her husband’s maternal great-grandfather, an Engineer for the Santa Fe Railroad, died in a train wreck in 1888.

A writer of genealogical history, Lily counts among her ancestors both Union and Confederate soldiers. Her great-grandfather James Madison Wright was a Lieutenant in Bass’ Company H of the 20^th Regiment of Texas Cavalry, C.S.A.  Another great-grandfather, James Henry Holman, was a Private in Co. E of the 18^th Regiment Alabama Infantry, C.S.A.  Her great-great grandfather, William R. F. Gardner, was a Private in Company F of the 7^th Regiment Tennessee Cavalry of the United States.  Another great-great Grandfather, Burrill Anders, whose father had come to Texaswhen it was a Republic, was a teamster in Co. H of the 4^th Regiment Texas Infantry, C.S.A.  Her great-grandfather William Barnett Lester was living near Mansfield in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, when at the Battle of Mansfield, Colonel Sibley and his Texas Brigade (who fled from Canby’s forces in New Mexico) were victorious over Union Troops.

Telling the story of the Colorado Volunteers presented a challenge to her interest in both military history and writing.

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                           Charles Counts is a native of Colorado and a teacher of biology.  He has been interested in the history of the Civil War period and especially the Colorado Volunteers for over twenty years.  He gives Living History Presentations at various historic sites in Kansas, Wyoming, New Mexico and Colorado.  The Columbine Genealogical and Historical Society extends its appreciation and thanks to Mr. Counts for editing this history.