David  Ruby

RUBY, DAVID (1833 ~ 1903). Confederate veteran David Ruby was born in 1833.

On March 31, 1862, Ruby enlisted in the Confederate Army at Lockhart, Caldwell County, Texas. That same day he was mustered into Captain Samuel J. P. McDowell's Company of the Texas Infantry, which became Company K of the 17th Texas Infantry.

The 17th Infantry spent its time during the War in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana and participated in the Red River Campaign, the Camden Expedition, and the battles of Perkins Landing, Milliken's Bend, Mansfield, Pleasant Hill, and Jenkins Ferry. Shortly after Jenkins Ferry, the men returned to Texas and were surrendered by General E. Kirby Smith on May 26, 1865.

Ruby, on November 15, 1862, was transferred to Pratt's Battery of Artillery, which was a part of Parsons' Texas Cavalry Brigade. According to depositions in Ruby's application for a Confederate Pension, he continued to serve with Pratt's Artillery until the end of the War.

Following the War, Ruby appears to have stayed in Texas and lived in Austin. On August 9, 1897, he moved into the Confederate Men's Home, but left at his own request. On June 10, 1902, he returned to the Home and died there on January 20, 1903. He was later buried in the Texas State Cemetery.

At the time of his admission to the Home, Ruby was a widower, but listed Mrs. Mary Nance, of San Antonio, as a correspondent. Nance was possibly his daughter.

Information taken from: Compiled Military Service Record; National Park Service website, http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss; 17th Texas Infantry webpage, http://www.angelfire.com/tx/RandysTexas/page55.html; Confederate Pension Application # 3964; and Confederate Home Roster.