Even though the soldiers from Llano County and the surrounding area enlisted at Camp Terry near Austin on April 1, 1863, unforeseen circumstances would prevent them from engaging in any battle or skirmishes with the Union Army for almost a full year. But, once they became involved in the action, the Confederate Army was slowly pushed south from Arkansas into Louisiana and parts of Texas as the Union strived to take Shreveport and gain full control of the Mississippi River system.