Book excerpt: The Texas Brigade, also often referred to as Hood's Brigade as it was commanded by General John Bell Hood, was an infantry brigade in the Confederate States Army that distinguished itself for its fierce tenacity and fighting ability during the American Civil War. It served in every major battle of the Army of Northern Virginia except the Battle of Chancellorsville.J. B. Polley served valiantly through the American Civil War and saw many major engagements. He was eventually forced out of the army after he lost a foot at the Battle of Darbytown Road in October, 1864. After the war he became a lawyer and was commissioned by the Hood's Texas Brigade Association to write Hood's Texas Brigade, which was published in 1910. He died in Texas in 1918.