The Ranchero
Corpus Christi, Texas
June 22, 1861
Gov. Clark has issued a proclamation, dated June 8th, 1861, directing the attention of the people to a want which is deeply felt, viz: a thorough knowledge of every movement of the battle-field. Military encampments, for the instruction of infantry troops designed for Confederate service, will be established at the most available points in the State, provided with able drill officers. He says our heroic volunteers themselves are eager to go into these
encampments and they will find a sufficient and incentive reward in the instruction they will receive, and in the thorough readiness for battle they will acquire. Yet, while receiving this instruction, the people must support them; and he makes the appeal to every man who has one drop of patriotic blood in his veins, or one sentiment of State pride in his heart. Let every farmer hold himself in readiness to bestow a portion of his abundant crop; every merchant a share of his commercial profit; every artisan a contribution of his valuable labor, and every man all that is in his power, to support these chivalric men, who will discipline themselves to defend our country and maintain its independence. Aids-de-camp to the Governor have been appointed, each of whom is provided with full authority and instructions to establish a camp and control its organization in his respective district.
encampments and they will find a sufficient and incentive reward in the instruction they will receive, and in the thorough readiness for battle they will acquire. Yet, while receiving this instruction, the people must support them; and he makes the appeal to every man who has one drop of patriotic blood in his veins, or one sentiment of State pride in his heart. Let every farmer hold himself in readiness to bestow a portion of his abundant crop; every merchant a share of his commercial profit; every artisan a contribution of his valuable labor, and every man all that is in his power, to support these chivalric men, who will discipline themselves to defend our country and maintain its independence. Aids-de-camp to the Governor have been appointed, each of whom is provided with full authority and instructions to establish a camp and control its organization in his respective district.
In compliance with the above, the Adjutant General of the State issued orders on the 10th inst., dividing the State into eleven military districts, leaving out the frontier counties. The 1st District is composed of the counties of Matagorda, Wharton, Jackson, Victoria, Calhoun, Goliad, Refugio, San Patricio, and Nueces, with Col. A. Buchell, of Indianola, as Aid-de-camp. The several companies in this district will enter into camp on the 15th of July, and remain there for a period of forty days. The camp equipage for each company shall consist of four axes, two hatchets, four spades, four shovels, ten frying pans, ten skillets or cast iron ovens, ten iron pots, ten water buckets, and also ten tents ample enough to allow room for ten men each, say ten tents for one hundred men, all of which shall be issued to the companies, upon receipt of the captains, previous to their taking up their line of march. Each man will supply himself with one coat, two pairs of pantaloons, two shirts, two pairs of drawers, two undershirts, (if worn), three pairs of socks, two blankets, or one blanket and one overcoat, two pairs of shoes, one towel and one hat, with comb and brushes, and also one knife, one tin cup and one spoon, and if possible, one tin plate and one canteen.
Let our citizens be prepared to contribute liberally toward the accomplishment of the above end.