Philip Caudill, of The Woodlands, holds the historical book he wrote on the life of a Texas pioneer in the Civil War. Photo by David HopperAs a former journalist, Grogan's Mill resident Philip Caudill knows a good story when he sees one.

In this case, it only took one line to convince him, and as a result, he is the author of the recently published "Moss Bluff Rebel, A Texas Pioneer in the Civil War."

The book is a historical biography of a Texas cattleman and "reluctant" Confederate cavalry officer.

Caudill, a 62-year-old father of two and grandfather of two, wrote it after going back to school in 2003 for a second master's degree, this time in history. He was 56.

"The adventure back to grad school was very much my deal," Caudill said. "I was treating myself. As a result I was highly motivated to learn as much as I could."

The best way to learn history, Caudill said, involves the search for, interpretation of, and writing from primary sources.

So, as a graduate student at Sam Houston State, Caudill set out on a search for primary sources.

After dozens of phone calls, Caudill struck gold at the Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center in Liberty. The library is a part of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.

Caudill explained he was a history student looking for primary sources, and would they happen to have any?

They did - a box full of the diaries and court records of a Texas pioneer cattleman who became a soldier. His name was William Duncan.

Caudill immediately jumped in his truck and got to Liberty an hour later. Most interesting, he said, is the fact it was March 2, 2006.

March 2 is Texas Independence Day, Sam Houston's birthday – and William Duncan's birthday.

What Caudill found in the box was mostly court documents and non-narrative papers recording Duncan's business transactions. But there was some personal journaling to be found.

"The very first diary I opened was dated early 1862 and it basically said 'I joined the army today, and I didn't want to.' My journalistic juices went crazy. I knew from that one sentence there was a story there."

Why was Duncan a "reluctant" soldier?

Caudill deduced that it had to be because Duncan was by then an "old man."

"He was 44," Caudill said. "He wasn't inclined to join but he was a very well respected member of the community. He had been elected sheriff of the county twice, the county clerk once, and the tax assessor. When you add that up, you get a picture of a man people trusted. He was a close friend of the commanding officer, and it would have been impressed upon Duncan the need for him to join to help recruit others, because Duncan was respected."

Duncan was also a landowner, Caudill said, and wanted to defend his own property, his neighbors, everything he worked his whole life to build.

Duncan was married to a young woman who died of Yellow Fever at the age of 24, after bearing him three children. Duncan married her cousin 18 months later, who bore him five children. In all, Duncan was the father of eight, five of whom survived to adulthood.

Caudill spent months corroborating everything he found with additional sources, confirming as much as he could, and putting Duncan's daily life into historical context.

During his search, Caudill found Duncan's great-great-great granddaughter, "who today is an elderly lady not in good health," he said.

Caudill wanted to make sure the book is something students and teachers would also be interested in. That's why he added a 21st century component.

Caudill has developed a Web site, www.mossbluffrebel.org, that incorporates sidebars as an additional source of information for teachers and students.

The book has been well received, Caudill said. He recently presented at the Briar Club in Houston for the Houston Civil War Round Table.

"It's a very readable book," said group President Duane Lewis. "I can't imagine anybody in Houston who wouldn't be somewhat familiar with Civil War history and therefore be interested in the book."

Originally from Oklahoma, Caudill's first career was as a radio sports reporter in high school. He went on to become a television reporter, producer and anchorman while still a student at the University of Oklahoma, from where he graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree in journalism.

While Caudill loved his work in the land of television, the money was barely enough to keep him afloat, and he was lured away to the field of public relations.

In 1975, Caudill went to work for Phillips Petroleum Company, and in 1978 he was appointed to the Europe-Africa area.

Caudill moved to The Woodlands in 1992 after being recruited by Price Waterhouse as managing director of marketing. In 1998, he became vice president of marketing and public affairs at Texas Children's Hospital.

In 2007, he earned his master's degree in history. In 2009, Texas A&M University Press published Moss Bluff Rebel.

"Writing this book is the greatest honor I've ever accomplished," Caudill said. "History was told that would have otherwise never been told."

Story highlights:

Philip Caudill, 62

Community Connection: Grogan's Mill resident

Fast Fact: Caudill, a former journalist and marketing executive, is the author of Moss Bluff Rebel, a historical biography based on the life of William Duncan

Quick Quote: "My journalistic juices went crazy. I knew there was a story there."

Upcoming presentation:

For: United Daughters of the Confederacy, Thomas Jefferson Chambers Chapter 2591
When: 10 a.m. Jan. 16
Where: The Old School House Museum, 200 West Houston Street, Dayton

For more information: www.mossbluffrebel.org