William Steele, Texas Adjutant General
historical marker
In Austin, Travis County, Texas, a historical marker commemorates William Steele, who lived from 1820 to 1885. This marker was erected in 1963 by the State of Texas. William Steele graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1840. He served in the U.S. Army, participating in the Mexican-American War, and was stationed in Texas during the 1850s, including a period as Quartermaster in Austin. During the Civil War, Steele resigned his U.S. Army commission and joined the Confederate forces, rising to the rank of brigadier general. After the war, he became the Adjutant General of Texas, serving from 1874 to 1879. In this role, he reorganized the state's militia and the Texas Rangers, creating more effective forces during the Reconstruction Era. His efforts significantly increased the competency and reputation of the Texas militia, laying a foundation for what would become the Texas National Guard. The marker recognizes Steele's contributions to Texas military organization.