Author Fest: The Tale of a Forgotten Civil War Hero

Author Fest: The Tale of a Forgotten Civil War HeroDon't forget to join Tomball Library this Saturday for Author Fest from 12pm-3pm!One of our authors will be John L. Herberich, author of "Masters of the Field - The Fourth United States Cavalry in the Civil War."Upon discharge from the United States Navy in 1970, John L. Herberich obtained a BA and MA in history. After a career in real estate and teaching, he served as President of the South Bay Civil War Round Table in San Jose, California. In the mid-1980’s, while going through family papers, he came upon a notation written by his late grandmother, living in San Antonio at the time, which referenced, “1st Sgt. John M. Herberich, Co. I, 4th United States Cavalry,” her father-in-law, his great-grandfather.

This was the first time his family became aware of his existence. Even his father, born and raised in San Antonio, had no knowledge of his grandfather, who, as it was later discovered, was buried in the historic San Antonio National Cemetery. As history had become my avocation, he had to find out more about the 1st Sergeant and the 4th United States Cavalry. This led to a 14 year-long research project culminating in the book: Masters of the Field – The Fourth United States Cavalry in the Civil War, the previously untold story of the only United States Regular cavalry regiment to fight in the Western Theater of the Civil War, facing the best Cavalry leaders the Confederacy had to offer, including Nathan Bedford Forrest. The Fourth U.S. Cavalry is now considered to be one of the finest Cavalry Regiments to ever ride. It was an amazing journey through history and time with surprising and unexpected discoveries, during which he was assisted by a number of special and talented individuals who made the journey possible. As to the mystery of his Great-Grandfather – in 1866 the 4th U.S. Cavalry was sent to San Antonio to assist with the reconstruction phase of the post-war. They reoccupied old forts and established new ones, including Fort Concho in San Angelo. By the early 1900’s Civil War emotions still ran deep in the South. 1st Sergeant John M. Herberich, United States Cavalry, died in 1904 and was best forgotten.