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             Thomas Short marker, Carrizozo, New
            Mexico 
            Featured marker for January 2002 - Cemeteries
            of New Mexico Web site, was taken by Sheriff Jerry
            Hicks, of the marker of Thomas Short who was buried in the Evergreen
            Cemetery. 
            *
            Thomas Short was a truely adventurous
            fellow.  
            Joined the Texas Rangers at age 15 to fight in the Mexican War,
            Company C of Capt. Thomas Green, April to July 1846. In May of
            1847, he joined the Rangers again and went to Mexico City with
            the other 'Texas devils,' under Capt. Roberts' Company F during
            the Mexican War. 
            Nov. 1847, at Matamoros, participated
            in a huge victory, had his horse shot out from underneath him,
            his company killed 60 and lost none, recovered 27 Americans and
            captured a large amount of munitions. Tom witnessed Santa Ana's
            return to Mexican soil after he surrendered. The rangers were
            mustered out of service at Vera Cruz, Mexico in May of 1848. 
            At 17, without parents, he turned
            to crime, was captured in New Orleans in July of 1849 with a
            stolen slave. His group may have been a part of the underground
            railroad. He and his older brother William were the first and
            third prisioners at Huntsville, in Texas. Tom served less than
            two years. 
            Feb. 1864-Dec. 1865 served in the
            Union Army, Company C, 1 TX CAV. during the Civil War. A risky
            undertaking since most of Texas was Confederate. Tom participated
            in the last battle of the Civil War on May 13, 1865 at Palmito
            Ranch, Texas. Tom mustered out Oct. of 1865. 
            Oct. 1867, nearly killed by a band
            of Commanches, but out ran them and his own hunting dogs. Tom,
            a ranch owner, died on Feb. 23, 1909 while visiting relatives
            in Carrizozo New Mexico.
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