The Texas Marine Department was organized by Major General John B. Magruder, commanding District of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, in September 1861. The Marine Department was responsible for the defense of the Texas coast, and was commanded by Commander W. W. Hunter, and later Acting Commodore Leon Smith.

Two Norwegians have been identified as serving with the Texas Marine Department during the war, through their biographical sketches printed in "A History of Texas together with a Biographical History of Houston and Galveston".

(186?/15) Ole Christian TELLEFSON - Private

Transferred from Co E, 1st Texas Heavy Artillery Regiment early 1863. Stationed at Galveston, engaged in refitting and building vessels for Confederate service, among them the CS Bayou City, CS John F. Carr, Neptune, Lone Star, Florelda, Uncle Ben, and several others. During a severe illness in the spring of 1865 (March?) he received a pass from Maj. Ge. John G. Walker to leave the state and run the blockade to Cuba, on the steamer Denbigh, and went thence to Mexico, where he remained until the close of the war. D: ? (alive 1915), Galveston, Texas.

(186?/16) George WILSON - Private

B: 5 Dec 1837 in Norway. Biographical sketch says that at the beginning of the war he volunteered in the Confederate Army, serving one year in the field, chiefly on Galveston Island (the unit has not been identified). He was then transferred to the Marine Department, serving as a pilot on trading vessels running between Galveston, Houston, and Trinity River points. Transferred to Co D, 2d Texas Infantry Regiment 21 Apr 65.