From the Annals of the Revolution – In 1798, Mathew Caldwell was born in Kentucky. In 1831, Caldwell settled in Dewitt County. Caldwell earned the name “Paul Revere of the Texas Revolution” because he rode from Gonzales to Bastrop to call men to arms before the battle of Gonzales in October 1835. He was also a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and a seemingly tireless fighter.
After independence, Caldwell remained active in military service. In 1839, President Mirabeau Lamar named Caldwell captain of a company of rangers to be raised for the defense of Goliad. He was also involved in several fights with Native Americans. He was wounded at the Council House Fight in March of 1840. He recovered and headed a company at the Battle of Plum Creek on August 12. He was also involved in the Texan Santa Fe Expedition in 1841 where he was captured with the expedition and imprisoned in Mexico. Upon release he hastened to the relief of San Antonio and on September 18, 1842, commanded a force of 200 men who met and defeated Adrian Woll in the Battle of Salado Creek. Caldwell County is named in his honor.