Mirabeau B. Lamar, Albert Sidney Johnston, and Thomas Jefferson Rusk called him friend and colleague. Sam Houston considered him his greatest political nemesis next to David Burnet. He was the most popular public speaker of his day. Hugh McLeod served in the Republic of Texas legislature, organized the office of Adjutant General, and held officer commissions in four armies over his lifetime. He fought at the Battle of Neches, wrote the official report of the Council House Fight, helped grow Galveston into a city, and at the time of his death was next-in-line to command the Confederate...