This Second National Pattern Flag was used by the 33rd Texas Cavalry, which served primarily in South Texas along the Rio Grande River. One of its officers was Santos Benevides, who became the unit's colonel and was the highest ranking Hispanic officer to attain a field command in the Confederate service.
33rd Cavalry Regiment was organized in April, 1863, by using the 14th (Duff's) Texas Cavalry Battalion as its nucleus. Its members were recruited at San Antonio, Port Lavaca, and Mt. Vernon, and in Kaufman County. This unit served in Gano's and Hardeman's Brigade, Trans-Mississippi Department, and was active along the lower Rio Grande. In April, 1864, it was near Bonham, Texas and contained 23 officers and 307 men. On June 2, 1865, it was included in the surrender. The field officers were Colonel James Duff, Lieutenant Colonel James R. Sweet, and Majors Santos Benavides and John T. Brackenridge.
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