Richard Taylor Byrne was born around October 1833 in Kentucky. He eventually moved to Refugio County, Texas, and he earned a living as a farmer. By 1860, he owned $1,640 of real estate and $2,500 of personal property.

 

He enlisted in the Confederate army on March 7, 1862, and he mustered in as a private in Company K of the 21^st Texas Cavalry on April 18. He expressed devotion to the Confederate cause. In May 1862, he acknowledged that the “loss of New Orleans was a terrible blow to the South…but I believe it has aroused the indignation of the people to such an extent, that it will ultimately benefit us; there is hardly a man who would not raghter lay down his life, sooner than submit to Yankee Rule.” He looked forward to the day “when this war is over, and when we will all be free again.” He eventually earned a promotion to corporal. He remained in the army until at least October 1863.

 

He returned to Refugio County after leaving the army, and he married Sarah C. Gregory in 1865. They had at least four children: Jane, born around 1869; Sarah, born around 1871; Henrietta, born around 1873; and Elizabeth, born around 1876. He worked as a retail merchant, and by 1870, he owned $100 of real estate and $300 of personal property. By 1900, he was living in Justice, Texas. He died on January 1, 1910.

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