93. Governor Houston to Mr. Floyd.
Executive Department,
Austin, March 12, 1860.
Austin, March 12, 1860.
Sir: Realizing that it is my duty to address your department, that it may be laid before his excellency the President, I thus devote myself to action for two purposes: First to vindicate myself from misapprehension, and next to obtain if possible protection for our frontier inhabitants, whose suffering and losses I feel assured are not felt or known by the government.
In a New Orleans paper my eye met a telegraphic despatch of the 3d instant, from Washington, stating that the “President disapproves of the action taken by Governor Houston in calling out volunteers in Texas to defend the frontier.” I can but feel assured that this remark, in view of the facts that have transpired since my induction into office, cannot be justified and calls for refutation, for the reason that I have ordered no troops on the Rio Grande, or destined for that frontier. So far from that being the case, four companies which were in service, on the Rio Grande when I came into office were mustered out of service and two companies were formed under the advice of the commissioners conferring with Major Heintzelman of the United States army. They are subject to his orders.
I was very reluctant to trouble the department, and resolved that I would not do so upon any frivolous pretext. Hence it was that I sent commissioners, that I might possess myself of the origin of the difficulties, and if I should find them of such grave character as to require my action, I would lay them before the government, that the President might direct corresponding action to be taken in relation thereto.
You will thus perceive the becoming caution and, at the same time, the scrupulous deference to the federal head of the government. Had I consulted the wishes of and impulses of our citizens, I would have called into the field the whole available force of Texas, and crossed the Rio Grande, and never recrossed it until we would have had “security in the future.”
The troops sent to the Rio Grande did not, so far as I am apprised, contemplate crossing to Mexican soil, until the Ranchero was fired into from the Mexican side of the river and a man wounded, and certainly there was no authority given them so to do ; though it does seem to me that I would have been justifiable in pursuing an outlaw and rebel wherever he might be found, or wherever he received aid, succor, and protection. Under the circumstances of the attack upon a vessel of the United States in the waters of Texas, I can but discover more in the conduct to commend than to censure. It may be that the Executive of the United States, regarding the rumors and paragraphs in the newspapers, may suppose that I entertain some covert design of invading Mexico, and for that reason a call for volunteers to protect Texas against Indian depredations has caused misapprehension of my actions.
‘Tis true that since 1857 I have been written to from various parts of the United States, urging me to invade Mexico, with a view to the establishment of a protectorate, and assuring me that men, money, and arms would be placed at my command if I would engage in the enterprise. To these overtures I made no favorable response, though, as an individual, I might have co-operated with them, by placing myself beyond the jurisdiction of the United States. Nor was I without the assurance that a large portion of the Mexican population would receive me, and co-operate with me in the restoration of order in that country. Thus I have remained tranquil and silent, in the hope that the government of the United States would consummate a policy which must and will be achieved by some one; or the miserable inhabitants of that lovely region are to be destroyed by a conflict of robbers.
I trust I am one of the last men on earth that would avail myself of an official situation to accomplish any achievement of personal or political aggrandizement.
You, sir, may assure the President that I will continue or countenance no action with a view to complicate or embarrass the affairs of his administration; nor will I intentionally plant thorns in his pathway of life. I never have, nor will I ever perform an official act that is not intended for my country’s advancement and prosperity, aside from all selfishness.
Now, as to my calling out volunteers, you will be able to judge of the propriety of my calls when you have the facts which I present to the department before you. For the information of the department I have to state that within the last few months our Indian frontier, as well as some counties considered in the interior, have been exposed to ruthless depredations from the Indians, some of them within forty-four miles of our State capital. Accompanying this letter, I send the department a list of persons killed, as well as the localities in which the murders were perpetrated. In the last four months fifty-one persons were killed and many wounded in escaping from the savages. Horses to the number of eighteen hundred have been stolen, and within the last few days seventy horses were stolen from the dragoons at Camp Cooper.
When the orders which have been issued by the executive of Texas reach the department, they will at once show the necessity of his course as well as the propriety of “calling out volunteers in Texas to defend the frontier.”
I cannot but urge most earnestly the calling out of a regiment of rangers by the federal government to protect the lives and property of our citizens.
The fact that regulars cannot protect their cavalry against Indian thefts and depredations is evidence that they are not the description of force that can give protection to our frontiers.
Moreover, I have not, until urged by an imperative sense of duty, as well as the destruction of human life, sought to induce the calling out of troops from the State as the only force that can protect our settlements against our Indian foe. They understand Indian habits and warfare, and can trail and reclaim the booty, and at the same time take vengeance on the enemy.
A treaty of peace with the wild Indians who depredate would, with a comparatively small sum, save millions to the government of the United States; for until they are exterminated, or peace made with them, guards must be constantly kept at an immense expense to the government, and even then our settlements will be subject to surprise and massacre.
Were the Indians to enter our territory in large bodies we could meet and destroy them; but they attack in small parties of from six to fifteen simultaneously for hundreds of miles along our frontiers. I do most earnestly hope that the guarantees which we have a right to look to may be extended and “the State protected against invasion.’’
Since I commenced this communication intelligence has reached me of other murders and thefts in Erath county, a mail rider killed and scalped within six miles of the county seat. Likewise a woman murdered and a woman and child carried into captivity.
I hope for a speedy reply, as our situation calls for prompt action. We need arms as well as rangers.
I have the honor to be your most obedient servant,
In a New Orleans paper my eye met a telegraphic despatch of the 3d instant, from Washington, stating that the “President disapproves of the action taken by Governor Houston in calling out volunteers in Texas to defend the frontier.” I can but feel assured that this remark, in view of the facts that have transpired since my induction into office, cannot be justified and calls for refutation, for the reason that I have ordered no troops on the Rio Grande, or destined for that frontier. So far from that being the case, four companies which were in service, on the Rio Grande when I came into office were mustered out of service and two companies were formed under the advice of the commissioners conferring with Major Heintzelman of the United States army. They are subject to his orders.
I was very reluctant to trouble the department, and resolved that I would not do so upon any frivolous pretext. Hence it was that I sent commissioners, that I might possess myself of the origin of the difficulties, and if I should find them of such grave character as to require my action, I would lay them before the government, that the President might direct corresponding action to be taken in relation thereto.
You will thus perceive the becoming caution and, at the same time, the scrupulous deference to the federal head of the government. Had I consulted the wishes of and impulses of our citizens, I would have called into the field the whole available force of Texas, and crossed the Rio Grande, and never recrossed it until we would have had “security in the future.”
The troops sent to the Rio Grande did not, so far as I am apprised, contemplate crossing to Mexican soil, until the Ranchero was fired into from the Mexican side of the river and a man wounded, and certainly there was no authority given them so to do ; though it does seem to me that I would have been justifiable in pursuing an outlaw and rebel wherever he might be found, or wherever he received aid, succor, and protection. Under the circumstances of the attack upon a vessel of the United States in the waters of Texas, I can but discover more in the conduct to commend than to censure. It may be that the Executive of the United States, regarding the rumors and paragraphs in the newspapers, may suppose that I entertain some covert design of invading Mexico, and for that reason a call for volunteers to protect Texas against Indian depredations has caused misapprehension of my actions.
‘Tis true that since 1857 I have been written to from various parts of the United States, urging me to invade Mexico, with a view to the establishment of a protectorate, and assuring me that men, money, and arms would be placed at my command if I would engage in the enterprise. To these overtures I made no favorable response, though, as an individual, I might have co-operated with them, by placing myself beyond the jurisdiction of the United States. Nor was I without the assurance that a large portion of the Mexican population would receive me, and co-operate with me in the restoration of order in that country. Thus I have remained tranquil and silent, in the hope that the government of the United States would consummate a policy which must and will be achieved by some one; or the miserable inhabitants of that lovely region are to be destroyed by a conflict of robbers.
I trust I am one of the last men on earth that would avail myself of an official situation to accomplish any achievement of personal or political aggrandizement.
You, sir, may assure the President that I will continue or countenance no action with a view to complicate or embarrass the affairs of his administration; nor will I intentionally plant thorns in his pathway of life. I never have, nor will I ever perform an official act that is not intended for my country’s advancement and prosperity, aside from all selfishness.
Now, as to my calling out volunteers, you will be able to judge of the propriety of my calls when you have the facts which I present to the department before you. For the information of the department I have to state that within the last few months our Indian frontier, as well as some counties considered in the interior, have been exposed to ruthless depredations from the Indians, some of them within forty-four miles of our State capital. Accompanying this letter, I send the department a list of persons killed, as well as the localities in which the murders were perpetrated. In the last four months fifty-one persons were killed and many wounded in escaping from the savages. Horses to the number of eighteen hundred have been stolen, and within the last few days seventy horses were stolen from the dragoons at Camp Cooper.
When the orders which have been issued by the executive of Texas reach the department, they will at once show the necessity of his course as well as the propriety of “calling out volunteers in Texas to defend the frontier.”
I cannot but urge most earnestly the calling out of a regiment of rangers by the federal government to protect the lives and property of our citizens.
The fact that regulars cannot protect their cavalry against Indian thefts and depredations is evidence that they are not the description of force that can give protection to our frontiers.
Moreover, I have not, until urged by an imperative sense of duty, as well as the destruction of human life, sought to induce the calling out of troops from the State as the only force that can protect our settlements against our Indian foe. They understand Indian habits and warfare, and can trail and reclaim the booty, and at the same time take vengeance on the enemy.
A treaty of peace with the wild Indians who depredate would, with a comparatively small sum, save millions to the government of the United States; for until they are exterminated, or peace made with them, guards must be constantly kept at an immense expense to the government, and even then our settlements will be subject to surprise and massacre.
Were the Indians to enter our territory in large bodies we could meet and destroy them; but they attack in small parties of from six to fifteen simultaneously for hundreds of miles along our frontiers. I do most earnestly hope that the guarantees which we have a right to look to may be extended and “the State protected against invasion.’’
Since I commenced this communication intelligence has reached me of other murders and thefts in Erath county, a mail rider killed and scalped within six miles of the county seat. Likewise a woman murdered and a woman and child carried into captivity.
I hope for a speedy reply, as our situation calls for prompt action. We need arms as well as rangers.
I have the honor to be your most obedient servant,
Sam Houston.
Hon. John B. Floyd,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.
__________
93 a.
List of persons killed and wounded by the Indians in the last four months
93 a.
List of persons killed and wounded by the Indians in the last four months
In Erath county.—Two women killed; two taken prisoners and violated ; both escaped naked; one since dead; five persons killed.
In Bosque county.—Two ministers shot with arrows; one since dead.
In Comanche county.—Five persons killed; men, women, and children; two persons, (father and daughter,) not found ; supposed to be dead.
In Burnet county.—Three persons killed; two men severely wounded.
In San Saba county.—One man killed. –
In Jack county.—Nine persons killed; houses robbed and plundered.
In Bosque county.—Three men killed.
In Brown caunty.—Five persons killed; two taken prisoners.
In Coryell county.—One man killed.
In Bell county.—Three persons killed ; two taken prisoners.
On Clear Fork —Two persons killed.
In Cook county.—One woman killed.
In Gillespie county.—Four persons killed.
In Young county.—One person killed.
On overland routes.—Two persons killed.
In Webb county.—Two persons killed ; 51 persons killed, and probably as many more wounded and taken prisoners; 1,800 horses stolen, including seventy-four of the United States troops, at Camp Cooper.
†. above is compiled from reliable documents on file in the department.
In Bosque county.—Two ministers shot with arrows; one since dead.
In Comanche county.—Five persons killed; men, women, and children; two persons, (father and daughter,) not found ; supposed to be dead.
In Burnet county.—Three persons killed; two men severely wounded.
In San Saba county.—One man killed. –
In Jack county.—Nine persons killed; houses robbed and plundered.
In Bosque county.—Three men killed.
In Brown caunty.—Five persons killed; two taken prisoners.
In Coryell county.—One man killed.
In Bell county.—Three persons killed ; two taken prisoners.
On Clear Fork —Two persons killed.
In Cook county.—One woman killed.
In Gillespie county.—Four persons killed.
In Young county.—One person killed.
On overland routes.—Two persons killed.
In Webb county.—Two persons killed ; 51 persons killed, and probably as many more wounded and taken prisoners; 1,800 horses stolen, including seventy-four of the United States troops, at Camp Cooper.
†. above is compiled from reliable documents on file in the department.
Sam Houston.
__________
93 b.
Orders—Minute detachments.
93 b.
Orders—Minute detachments.
Executive Department,
Austin, March 9, 1860.
Austin, March 9, 1860.
The chief justice of each county in danger from the Indians will organize a minute detachment in his county, composed of one lieutenant, two sergeants, two corporals, and ten privates, holding an election for the officers, and mustering them into the service of the State. The muster-rolls will be filled up in duplicate and sent forward to the executive department.
He will cause the lieutenant to give bond with two approved securities in the sum of $500 for the safe delivery of the arms which shall come into his hands; he shall also require the lieutenant to make oath that he will faithfully perform the duties of quartermaster, and account for all supplies which shall come into his hands, either by purchase or otherwise, which, with the bond, shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the county court. The chief justice will also forward to the executive a certificate to the effect that the lieutenant has given bond and made oath as provided.
Upon a detachment of minute men being mustered into service by the chief justice of any county in danger, the lieutenant will receive of the chief justice blank provision accounts and monthly returns.
The lieutenant will act as quartermaster, and purchase such supplies as are absolutely necessary, and at market prices. He will make out duplicate accounts, and have the chief justice to certify on the same that the articles are necessary to sustain the men while on duty, and that the prices are just. This is necessary in order to have ample testimony to support the same when an appropriation is made.
The lieutenant, acting as quartermaster, will furnish the men with rations, and use strict economy in relation to the supplies.
The lieutenant will detail two men immediately for arms and ammunition to Austin, providing them with sacks to carry the same; but he is in no case authorized to employ other means of transportation.
The detachments will immediately take the field, and enter upon active scouts, affording protection to the inhabitants of their respective counties. When an Indian trail is found it must be diligently followed, and if the sign indicates a larger party of Indians than he is able to cope with, he will call not exceeding ten men to his aid. He will keep a true account of the day’s service performed by these men, and on a return from the scout, dismiss them. Great care is to be taken that the settlements shall not be left exposed, while on scouts, without due notice to the citizens.
The lieutenant will maintain discipline among the men. He will establish a camp at some central point in the county, not nearer than five miles of any town, and will not permit more than two men to be absent at any time, except on a scout or detailed duty. His supplies will be kept stored at the county site, in the care of the chief justice, and not more than two weeks’ supply for the men taken to camp at any one time.
Immediately upon taking the field the lieutenant will notify the executive of the same, stating the names of the officers of the detachment and their post offices. He will make monthly returns to the executive, and in the same will be particular to furnish correct information as to the operations of the detachment.
Horses and other property taken from the Indians are to be returned to their owners without charge. Any member of a detachment charging or receiving anything in lieu of property so returned will be dismissed from service without an honorable discharge. The lieutenant will be well satisfied that the person claiming the horses is the real owner; and if not, may require testimony. He will report the disposition made of them in his monthly return.
The lieutenant will charge upon his first monthly return, to the men receiving the same, the arms delivered; and the same must be accounted for at the close of service, or they will be deducted from the pay when appropriation is made.
The following general orders have been issued. Particular attention is called to them. The spirit of them is to be carried out by all rangers in the field.
He will cause the lieutenant to give bond with two approved securities in the sum of $500 for the safe delivery of the arms which shall come into his hands; he shall also require the lieutenant to make oath that he will faithfully perform the duties of quartermaster, and account for all supplies which shall come into his hands, either by purchase or otherwise, which, with the bond, shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the county court. The chief justice will also forward to the executive a certificate to the effect that the lieutenant has given bond and made oath as provided.
Upon a detachment of minute men being mustered into service by the chief justice of any county in danger, the lieutenant will receive of the chief justice blank provision accounts and monthly returns.
The lieutenant will act as quartermaster, and purchase such supplies as are absolutely necessary, and at market prices. He will make out duplicate accounts, and have the chief justice to certify on the same that the articles are necessary to sustain the men while on duty, and that the prices are just. This is necessary in order to have ample testimony to support the same when an appropriation is made.
The lieutenant, acting as quartermaster, will furnish the men with rations, and use strict economy in relation to the supplies.
The lieutenant will detail two men immediately for arms and ammunition to Austin, providing them with sacks to carry the same; but he is in no case authorized to employ other means of transportation.
The detachments will immediately take the field, and enter upon active scouts, affording protection to the inhabitants of their respective counties. When an Indian trail is found it must be diligently followed, and if the sign indicates a larger party of Indians than he is able to cope with, he will call not exceeding ten men to his aid. He will keep a true account of the day’s service performed by these men, and on a return from the scout, dismiss them. Great care is to be taken that the settlements shall not be left exposed, while on scouts, without due notice to the citizens.
The lieutenant will maintain discipline among the men. He will establish a camp at some central point in the county, not nearer than five miles of any town, and will not permit more than two men to be absent at any time, except on a scout or detailed duty. His supplies will be kept stored at the county site, in the care of the chief justice, and not more than two weeks’ supply for the men taken to camp at any one time.
Immediately upon taking the field the lieutenant will notify the executive of the same, stating the names of the officers of the detachment and their post offices. He will make monthly returns to the executive, and in the same will be particular to furnish correct information as to the operations of the detachment.
Horses and other property taken from the Indians are to be returned to their owners without charge. Any member of a detachment charging or receiving anything in lieu of property so returned will be dismissed from service without an honorable discharge. The lieutenant will be well satisfied that the person claiming the horses is the real owner; and if not, may require testimony. He will report the disposition made of them in his monthly return.
The lieutenant will charge upon his first monthly return, to the men receiving the same, the arms delivered; and the same must be accounted for at the close of service, or they will be deducted from the pay when appropriation is made.
The following general orders have been issued. Particular attention is called to them. The spirit of them is to be carried out by all rangers in the field.
Sam Houston,
Commander-in-chief.
Commander-in-chief.
General orders to all Texians commanding in the service:
Executive Department, February 8, 1860.
Commanding officers of all Texians in the military service will see that daily patrols pass and repass from post to post when any command is divided into detachments and stationed at different points along the line of operations. Horses lost, unless in action and killed by the enemy, are not to be paid for, nor will the loss of arms be paid for.
In the police and arrangements of encampments or stations the health and comfort of the troops will be secured, if possible. Guards will be regularly detailed and mounted; and besides constant vigilance and care, the moral tone of companies will be a subject particularly confided to the authority of commanding officers.
No horse-racing or gambling is to be permitted or practiced, nor are any intoxicating spirits or liquors of any kind to be brought within camp or camps, or used; nor will any person or persons be permitted to bring nearer than five miles any spirits of any kind, or to sell the same to any command or to a member or members composing it.
More than four men will not be permitted to be absent from any command at any one time except upon special detailed duty.
Monthly reports and returns of the state and condition of different commands will be made to the executive department at this place.
Any member guilty of intoxication or insubordination will be immediately dismissed, without honorable discharge.
These orders are required to be read to all commands upon parade within twenty-four hours after reception.
In the police and arrangements of encampments or stations the health and comfort of the troops will be secured, if possible. Guards will be regularly detailed and mounted; and besides constant vigilance and care, the moral tone of companies will be a subject particularly confided to the authority of commanding officers.
No horse-racing or gambling is to be permitted or practiced, nor are any intoxicating spirits or liquors of any kind to be brought within camp or camps, or used; nor will any person or persons be permitted to bring nearer than five miles any spirits of any kind, or to sell the same to any command or to a member or members composing it.
More than four men will not be permitted to be absent from any command at any one time except upon special detailed duty.
Monthly reports and returns of the state and condition of different commands will be made to the executive department at this place.
Any member guilty of intoxication or insubordination will be immediately dismissed, without honorable discharge.
These orders are required to be read to all commands upon parade within twenty-four hours after reception.
Sam Houston,
Commander-in-chief of Texas.
Commander-in-chief of Texas.
Difficulties on Southwestern Border, House Documents, Volume 126; Volume 128, United States House of Representatives, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1860
During the 12 years following the Mexican-American War there were present on the frontiers of Texas and Mexico many factors that tended to create disturbances. The topography of the country, the sparsity and general character of its population, the lack of an extradition treaty and of sufficient national authority, wild Indians of uncertain abode, the Mexican tariff system, all caused friction and gave encouragement to lawlessness which not only retarded the development of the region but often threatened to interrupt friendly relations between the two republics. [Border Troubles along the Rio Grande, 1848-1860, The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 2 (OCTOBER, 1919)]