This post is an attempt to find more information about a Texas A&M Cadet that was selected as the 1895 Best Drilled Man in the Battalion as well as the 1895 Best Drilled Man in the Ross Volunteers. I've been able to locate information that identifies the Cadet as Abraham J. "Abe" Gross.

In 1895 he was the Cadet 1st Sergeant and in 1896 he was the Cadet 1st Lieutenant.

At some point, he was practicing as a lawyer in Waco, Texas.

During World War 1, he was a Colonel of the A&M Regiment and had apparently started the process of having this all volunteer regiment (10th Regiment, Texas National Guard) federalized. The armistice ended the federalization.

My question that I'm trying to answer is:
Was he in the Texas National Guard prior to the attempt to form the A&M Regiment?

I've been able to acquire the two medals that he received in 1895 and I've included pictures below.

A&MC Best Drilled Man 1895:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Alc2CULj8i6fhxSvlmoKbjobcgyf

Best Drilled Man Ross Vol's '95 (Front)
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Alc2CULj8i6fhxPgtFg9U01eHKL4

Best Drilled Man Ross Vol's '95 (Back)
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Alc2CULj8i6fhxLEuN5A3rnAOrmx

Abe Gross, 1895 Olio

Capt P.P.Mills of Company B

The current Texas National Guard was established in 1903 under the Militia Act of 1903 so yes, he could very well have been an officer in the Texas National Guard.