Military Service
In 1861, Littlefield enlisted in the 8th Texas Cavalry, popularly known as Terry's Texas Rangers. He mustered in as Second Sergeant of Company I. On January 10, 1862, he was elected 2nd Lieutenant.
He commanded the company at the Battle of Shiloh, because the Captain and 1st Lieutenant were on furlough in Texas. The Captain never returned and the 1st Lieutenant was killed a few days after returning to the regiment. Littlefield was elected Captain on May 10. There was only one man younger than he in the entire company and he was not yet 20 years old.
He commanded Company I through the battle of Perryville. After the battle of Chickamauga on September 18–20, 1863, he was made acting major of the regiment. On December 26, 1863, at Mossy Creek in East Tennessee he was severely wounded and given a full promotion to major.
Littlefield was discharged from service due to his wounds and returned to Gonzales County. He was unable to walk without the assistance of crutches until 1867.
Read more about this topic: George W. Littlefield
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