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Headquarters, Camp Cooper, Texas,          
February 22, 1860.

         Sir: I have to report, for the information of the department commander, that on the night of the 17th instant the sentinel on post over the public mules at this post permitted, by criminal neglect of his duty, some person or persons to pull up a number of the pickets on one side of the yard, cut the bell from the neck of the bell-mule, and drive off the whole herd, and gave no alarm for fifteen or twenty minutes afterwards. Immediately after daylight I sent a party in pursuit, and twenty-one mules and two condemned horses, which had strayed from the herd, were recovered. At 9 a.m. another party, under Lieutenant Lowe, adjutant 2d cavalry, was sent, with instructions to pursue them as far as possible. I enclose Lieutenant Lowe’s report here with, and will also state, in confirmation of the opinion expressed in the last paragraph, that the depredations this winter all appear to have been committed upon a systematic plan, and with such an evident understanding among the parties committing them that I am inclined to think there is some foundation for the opinion referred to by Lieutenant Lowe. The night after the mules were stolen from the post all the animals at the agency, except those locked up in the stable, were carried off. This party was pursued by four Mexicans living with Colonel Leper on mules which I loaned them for the occasion. On the Little Wicheta, some distance above the crossing of the Radzeminski road, they came upon a couple of Indians, who had with them six horses, four of which were taken by the Mexicans, the Indians making their escape on the other two. Mr. B. Harden, a citizen from one of the lower counties, had left a private horse in charge of the quartermaster until his return with the scout under Lieutenant Cunningham, which scout he had accompanied to show the trail made by the party from Erath and Palo Pinto counties. This horse was carried off by the persons who broke into the mule-yard. I also enclose Lieutenant Cunningham’s report.
         I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

George H. Thomas,          
Major 2d Cavalry, Commanding Post.

         The Assistant Adjutant General,
Headq’rs Dep’t of Texas, San Antonio, Texas.
         

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83 a.
         

Camp Cooper, Texas,         
February 21, 1860.

         Sir: I have the honor to report that in obedience to your instructions I left this camp on the morning of the 18th instant, with a party consisting of one noncommissioned officer and nine privates of the regimental band, and six privates of company “D,” to pursue a party of depredators who had stolen some government animals on the night of the 17th.
         After a search of two hours I struck the trail, about 12 o’clock, and followed it at a brisk trot until dark. The next morning I again started at a rapid gait, but after going some twelve miles (I had then followed it nearly sixty miles) buffalo became so numerous that the trail was completely obliterated, and I found it impossible to go further with any possibility of overtaking them. The trail in its general direction bore N.NE.
         I found two mules that had been killed, and one alive, which I brought back. Neither of the three had any of the marks or brands usually found upon animals belonging to Comanches; and from this fact I am led to believe that the thieves must belong to some other tribe. I would take occasion to state, from reports which seem to be well authenticated, that the prevailing impression in this part of the country is that most of the animals taken from Texas are driven to Bent’s Fort for sale.
         I am, sir, your obedient servant,

W. W. Lowe,         
First Lieutenant and Adjutant 2d Cavalry.