Alfred Marmaduke Hobby

Alfred Marmaduke Hobby (1836 – February 5, 1881) was a famous Texas merchant, politician, Confederate officer, and poet.

Hobby entered a mercantile partnership and established a general store at the new town of St. Mary's of Aransas, Refugio County, about 1857.

Hobby was an ardent supporter of states rights and organized a chapter of the Knights of the Golden Circle at St. Mary's.

In the next year the battalion was consolidated with other units to form the 8th Texas Infantry Regiment, with Hobby serving as its colonel.

This set up a surprise attack wherein the Confederate Texans won a great victory with the Neptune ramming the Harriet Lane, named in honor of President Buchanan's niece.