USA > Texas > Tarrant County > Fort Worth > History of Texas : Fort Worth and the Texas northwest edition, Volume I > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
"5. Provisions have already been made for the organization of a corps of Rangers, and I conceive it highly important that you should place a bold, energetic and enterprising commander at their head. This corps well managed, will prove a safeguard to our hitherto un- protected frontier inhabitants, and prevent the depredations of those savage hordes that infest our borders. I conceive this very important
199
200
HISTORY OF TEXAS
at this moment, as it is known that the Mexican authorities have enl- deavored to engage them in a war with us.
"6. Volunteers from foreign countries are daily reaching our shores and enlisting in our cause. These gallant and chivalrous men are actuated alone by the noblest motives; no sordid or mercenary considerations have induced them to leave their homes and share our fate. Let us then act with becoming generosity, and unasked give valor its reward. I recommend this not only that the world may know what are the inducements which Texas holds forth to the brave and enterprising; but in order that it may be now settled and not hereafter become the cause of dissatisfaction.
"7. Some of our red brethren of the Cherokee, Shawnee and other of their associate bands, are located on certain lands within our limits, to which it is generally understood that they have a just and equitable title. They have lately been interrupted in their title by surveys and locations within the limits which they claim, which has created among them great dissatisfaction. I therefore recom- mend that you second the measures of the late Convention in this matter, and never desist until the objects contemplated by that body be carried into effect.
"8. I recommend the employing of agents for foreign countries ; that they be clothed with special powers, and that they be sent to different points, with a view of procuring for Texas all the aid and assistance that a generous and sympathizing world will bestow.
"9. I would also recommend the establishment of a Tariff, and the appointment of Revenue Officers to collect import and tonnage duties ; also a collector for the purpose of collecting all sums due the government on lands or other sources.
"10. I would now call your attention to the Post Office Depart- ment, and would recommend the appointment of a Postmaster Gen- eral-the appointment made by the previous council I highly approve, and trust under your care that this department will flourish and extend its benefits to every section of our country. I further rec- ommend an express department to continue during the war.
"11. No time should be lost in the organization of the militia, nor in the local civil organization of the different jurisdictions of Texas, in conformity with the plan of the provisional organization of the government.
"12. You will find it necessary to appoint a Treasurer and per- haps other officers which you may hereafter find requisite.
"13. It will also become your duty to select some place as the seat of government, at which to hold your regular sittings during the continuance of the present form of government. In doing this you will throw aside all local partialities and prejudices, and fix on that point possessing most advantages, and the best calculated to forward our views by giving promptness and energy to our united actions. I therefore deem it unnecessary to make further sugges- tions on that subject, and will only add, that a council-hall, together with other offices for the different departments of government, is indispensable.
201
HISTORY OF TEXAS
"14. I have now, gentlemen, touched upon all the matters of importance that have presented themselves to me-doubtless many have escaped my observation which you will detect. I will, from time to time, present such other matters for your consideration as may occur to me. Again permit me to remind you of the necessity of acting with energy, boldness, and promptitude-that the welfare of thousands depends upon your actions. Your country possesses immense resources if properly developed; it is for you to quicken and enliven the energies of the body politic, and make Texas the Eden of America.
"I conclude, gentlemen, by expressing the hope that the Supreme Ruler of Nations will smile upon your councils, and that, by our united efforts, we will be enabled to place Texas in a situation to become what the God of Nature designed her to be, a land of Lib- erty and of Laws-of agriculture and of commerce-the pride and support of our lives, and a legacy of price unspeakable to posterity."
Following the reading of this message, the general council organized for work by the appointment of standing committees on "Affairs of the Army," "Affairs of the Navy," "Fiscal Affairs," "Affairs of State," and "Land and Indian Affairs." During its session the council passed eighty- nine resolutions and ordinances. Most of them were concerned with military and naval affairs and with financial matters-the creation of regular and volunteer forces, equipping, provisioning, and paying them, and the raising and proper management of revenue.
The military plan adopted by the consultation contemplated two things -the creation of a regular army and the organization of the militia.
The army was to consist of 1,120 men, rank and file, part regulars, enlisted for two years, and part volunteers, enlisted for, and during the continuance of, the war-"permanent volunteers," they were called. To this was added a corps of 150 rangers, commanded by a major, and sub- ject to the commander-in-chief when in the field. The soldiers were to be governed, so far as local conditions and circumstances would permit, by the regulations and discipline of the regular army of the United States. And the force might be decreased or augmented at the discre- tion of the governor and council. The commander-in-chief, appointed by the consultation and commissioned by the governor, and "subject to the orders of the governor and council," had the rank of major general and was to be "commander-in-chief of all the forces called into public service during the war." He was allowed to choose his own staff of one adjutant general, one inspector general, one quartermaster general, a surgeon general, and four aides-de-camp. . For militia duty all the able-bodied men between the ages of sixteen and fifty were declared qualified, and they were ordered to embody themselves, on or immediately after the third Monday in December, in companies of fifty-six men, and elect officers-a captain and a first and second lieutenant. The municipality was to be the basis of organization, and in case there should be as many as three companies in a single muni- cipality, the officers were to elect a major to command the entire force ; if there were four companies, they were entitled to a lieutenant-colonel ;
202
HISTORY OF TEXAS
if five, to a colonel, and if more than five, to a brigadier general. Five companies formed a regiment of militia.
General Sam Houston had been elected commander-in-chief of the department of Nacogdoches early in October, and on November 12 he was chosen by the consultation to command the regular army.
In his first message to the council, on November 16, as we have seen, Governor Smith, among other recommendations, urged haste in the or- ganization of the militia. The council referred the subject to the mili- tary committee, and the ideas of the committee were embodied in an ordinance that was passed November 25. It provided that the council should appoint in each municipality three commissioners to divide the district into militia precincts, which were to conform as nearly as pos- sible with those already existing, and to choose election judges for each precinct. Officers were to be elected and companies formed as required by the plan of the consultation. Muster days were fixed for company, battalion, regimental, and brigade drill on the first Saturday in April, May, September, and October, respectively. Commissioners for sixteen municipalities were elected November 26, those for Matagorda were appointed the next day, and others for San Patricio and Sabine later. The governor was commander-in-chief of the militia, and was allowed a staff of four aides with the rank of colonel. To what extent the or- ganization of the militia was effected is uncertain. Probably very little was done, for about the time that the elections were to take place news spread that the volunteers had begun the storming of Bexar and needed reinforcements. Many prepared to hasten to their assistance, some of the commissioners among them, and thus the organization was delayed.
The military committee on November 21 presented a detailed report on the organization of the regular army. This force, which the consul- tation had limited to 1,120 men, they proposed to divide into two regi- ments-one of artillery and one of infantry-of 560 men each. Each regiment was divided into two battalions and each battalion into five companies of fifty-six men. The field officers of the infantry were to be a colonel, a lieutenant-colonel, and a major ; those of the artillery, a colonel, two lieutenants-colonel, and two majors. Artillery companies were to have three lieutenants instead of two, the additional lieutenants being considered necessary on account of the varied and important work that would be required of the artillery. The council, with some amend- ments, adopted this report in the form of an ordinance on the 24th. Officers and privates were to be subject to the same discipline and to receive the same pay as in the regular army of the United States, and each private and non-commissioned officer was promised a bounty of 640 acres of land. Later, as an incentive to enlistment in the regular army. rather than with the volunteers, an additional bounty of 160 acres of land and $24 in money was offered the regulars ; one-half of the money was to be paid when the recruit reported at headquarters, and the bal- ance on the first quarterly pay-day thereafter.
On the same day that this ordinance was passed Governor Smith sent to the council a message, urging it to make "the necessary enactments calculated to authorize the commander-in-chief to issue his proclamation, in order that volunteers and other troops may know to whom
203
HISTORY OF TEXAS
to report." Whatever the act may have been which the governor con- sidered necessary, the council was in no hurry about passing it. On the Twenty-eighth Company officers were elected for the regiment of infan- try, and on December 1 it was agreed to elect the artillery officers the following Monday. Before this was done, however, the governor trans- mitted to the council a letter from General Houston, complaining of that body's delay in helping him organize the regular forces. The military committee replied that, considering "the press of business and the dis- tracted state of affairs," they had done as much as they could, and been as expeditious as possible, a good deal of their time being necessarily consumed in trying to provide for the volunteer army. They were of the opinion, moreover, that it would not be good policy to appoint all of the officers of the regular army at that time. If the war should be pro- longed, Texas would be compelled, they said, to depend largely upon aid from abroad, and they thought that men of superior qualifications would hardly be attracted from the United States if every door to promotion were closed. In conclusion, they urged that the governor be requested to issue a proclamation fixing the headquarters of the army at Gonzales or some other point on the frontier.
The policy of holding open positions of rank to encourage expert volunteers from the United States was in complete agreement with the views of the consultation. In his inaugural address the chairman of that body had said, "Some of our brethren of the United States of the North ** have generously come to our aid, many ere long will be with * us. * The path to promotion must be open, they must know that deeds of chivalry and heroism will meet their rewards." But the greatest influence was probably exerted on the committee by a letter from J. W. Fannin, Jr., which they had considered on December 4. Fannin was sure that many West Point graduates would come to Texas, if commands were reserved for them.
On December 7 and 8 the field officers for both infantry and artillery were elected, but in accordance with the recommendation of the com- mittee, company officers for only one battalion of artillery were chosen. Before hearing of this action General Houston wrote again to the gov- ernor, insisting that a complete corps of officers must be elected at once, if any success were to be expected in enlisting the regular army. Upon receipt of this letter the council proceeded to the election of company officers for the remaining battalion of artillery (December 11). The commander-in-chief was then provided with a list of all his officers and a copy of all proceedings of the council that related to the army. The council, however, was not yet through with General Houston. Another letter to Governor Smith on December 17 called attention to the fact that no appropriation had been made to cover the expenses of the recruiting service. A few officers had been ordered on this service, he said, but he had done it solely on his own responsibility. This obstacle was re- moved by the council on the 21st, when an ordinance was passed, appro- priating $40,000 for recruiting purposes. Another ordinance (December 26), empowering all commissioned officers to administer the oath of enlistment completed the enactments for the organization of the regular army.
204
HISTORY OF TEXAS
For the various regimental offices James W. Fannin, Jr., was elected colonel of artillery, James C. Neill and David B. Macomb lieutenants- colonel, and WV. B. Travis and T. F. L. Parrott majors. In the infantry Philip A. Sublett was elected colonel, Henry Millard lieutenant-colonel, and William Oldham major. Travis declined his appointment in the artillery, on the ground that he believed he could be more useful in some other branch of the army, and F. W. Johnson was elected in his place. Sublett did not accept the colonelcy of infantry, and Edward Burleson fell heir to that place.
In the meantime, the council had early taken up the organization of the corps of rangers, which was to form a sort of adjunct to the regular army. The consultation had authorized the enlistment of three com- panies, aggregating 150 men, but the ordinance proposed by the military committee, November 21, raised the number to 168, in order that the companies might conform in size to those of the regular army. The rangers' term of service was fixed at one year and their pay at $1.25 a day. They were to furnish their own rations, horses and equipment, and were required to be "always ready armed and supplied with 100 rounds of powder and ball." R. M. Williamson was elected major and commandant of the rangers, subject to the orders of the commander-in- chief.
On December 4 the council referred to the military committee a letter from J. W. Fannin on the subject of the regular army. He was em- phatically of the opinion that its size ought to be doubled. "If an army be at all requisite," he said, "it sh'd be large enough to answer the [ pur- pose] of its creation *
* * The case appears to me so plain that I can not doubt but you will see it in the same light. With this convic- tion, I will proceed to the main subject-By virtue of your delegated powers and exigency of the case increase the 'Regular Army' to another Brigade of like numbers with the one already ordered." It was no doubt due to the influence of this letter that the military committee at the evening session of December 4 introduced an ordinance "to organize and establish an auxiliary volunteer corps to the army of Texas." By a suspension of the rules the act was passed the next day. Permanent volunteers, or those enlisted for the duration of the war, were to receive the same pay, rations, and clothing as were allowed by the United States in the war of 1812, and, in addition, at the expiration of service, or when honorably discharged, a bounty of 640 acres of land. Those who en- listed for only three months were entitled to 320 acres of land, but at the discretion of the governor and the commander-in-chief others could be accepted for even a shorter period, such as they thought consistent with the good of the service. These last, however, were to receive no bounty. The ordinance does not fix the number of this corps, but the day after its passage a resolution was adopted authorizing the com- mander-in-chief "to accept the services of at least 5,000 auxiliary volun- teers, in addition to the local volunteers."
Just as the auxiliary corps was in a great measure due to the influ- ence of Fannin, so the creation of a cavalry force seems to have re- ceived its first impulse from Travis. On December 3 he wrote to Gov- ernor Smith, saying that a member of the council had asked him for his
205
HISTORY OF TEXAS
views on the organization of the army. He unhesitatingly approved the recommendations of Fannin on the subject of the regular army, he said, and, therefore, confined himself to a consideration of the volunteers. Among these he thought that provision should by all means be made for a battalion of cavalry, commanded by a lieutenant-colonel, "subject alone to the orders of the commander-in-chief for the time being." They ought to be armed with broadswords, pistols, and double-barrelled shotguns or yagers, and should be enlisted for twelve months-unless the war ter- minated sooner-"subject to regular discipline and the rules and articles of war," for, he concluded, "a mob can do wonders in a sudden burst of patriotism or passion, but can not be depended on as soldiers for a cam- paign." This letter was passed to the military committee on the 4th, and on the 16th Mr. Hanks, the chairman, brought in a bill embodying Travis's recommendation. General Austin and General Houston both concurred, he said, in the belief that cavalry was necessary. The strength of the force was fixed at 384 men, rank and file, divided into six com- panies, and Travis's suggestion as to arms was so modified that, while all of them had broadswords and pistols, one-half of them had in addi- tion double-barrelled shotguns and the other half yagers. They were to receive the same pay as cavalry in the service of the United States and a bounty of 640 acres of land. It is somewhat interesting to note that this was the only force for which the council prescribed, or, indeed, even mentioned a uniform. It was to be "a suit of cadet grey cloth coats, [with] yellow bullet buttons, and pantaloons for winter, and two suits of gray cottonade roundabouts and pantaloons for summer, and fur caps, black cloth stocks and cowhide boots." Travis, who had declined a pre- vious appointment in the artillery, was elected lieutenant colonel and commandant.
An "Army of Reserve for the protection of the Liberties of Texas" was the last of auxiliary forces authorized by the council. It was to number 1,145 men, officers included-three battalions of infantry, one of riflemen, one of cavalry and one of field artillery-and was to receive the same pay and bounty as the other auxiliaries. Judge T. J. Chambers was responsible for this act. The first of January, he offered to recruit a force in the United States and have it ready for service, if possible, by May 15, 1836. He agreed to loan $10,000 of the funds necessary for the purpose, and to raise the balance on the credit of the government without harassing the council. Naturally the council accepted the pro- posal, and pledged the public faith to repay his loan and any other obliga- tion incurred by the undertaking. Chambers, with the rank of general, was to command the men enlisted. This ordinance was passed January 7 and sent to the governor for approval, but was never returned by him to the council. Chambers, therefore, was never commissioned, and. strictly speaking, probably had no authority to carry out his plan. Never- theless, he was not deterred from going to the United States and send- ing to Texas between May and December of 1836 nearly 2,000 men and quantities of war materials, in which he spent some $23,000 of personal funds and $9,035 in Texas bonds.
While the government was occupied in organizing the army on paper, recruiting officers were busy trying to secure enlistments. But the effort
1
.
206
HISTORY OF TEXAS
to enlist the regular army was a heart-breaking failure. Accurate figures can not obtained, but the assertion may be ventured that at no time before the battle of San Jacinto did the regulars much exceed 100 men. Houston issued his first proclamation inviting recruits on December 12.
"Headquarters, Washington, Texas, December 12, 1835. "Citizens of Texas:
. "Your situation is peculiarly calculated to call forth all your manly energies. Under the republican constitution of Mexico, you were invited to Texas, then a wilderness. You have reclaimed and rendered it a cultivated country. You solemnly swore to support the constitution and its laws. Your oaths are yet inviolate. In accordance therewith you have fought with the liberals against those who sought to overthrow the constitution in 1832, when the present usurper was the champion of liberal principles in Mexico. Your obedience has manifested your integrity. You have witnessed with pain the convulsions of. the interior, and a succession of usurpations. You have experienced, in silent grief, the expulsion of your mem- bers elect from the state Congress.
"You have realized the horrors of anarchy and the dictation of military rule. The promises made to you have not been fulfilled. Your memorials for the redress of grievances have been disre- garded ; and the agents you have sent to Mexico have been impris- oned for years, without enjoying the rights of trial agreeably to law. Your constitutional executive has been deposed by the bayonets of a mercenary soldiery, while your Congress has been dissolved by vio- lence, and its members, either fled, or were arrested by the military force of the country. The federation has been dissolved, the con- stitution declared at an end, and centralism has been established. Amid all these trying vicissitudes, you remained loyal to the duty of citizens, with a hope that liberty would not perish in the republic of Mexico. But while you were fondly cherishing this hope, the dictator required the surrender of the arms of the civic militia. that he might be enabled to establish on the ruins of the constitution, a system of policy which would forever enslave the people of Mexico. Zacatecas, unwilling to yield her sovereignty to the demand which struck at the root of all liberty, refused to disarm her citizens of their private arms. Ill-fated state! Her power, as well as her wealth aroused the ambition of Santa Anna, and excited his cupidity. Her citizens became the first victims of his cruelty, while her wealth was sacrificed in payment for the butchery of her citizens. The success of the usurper determined him in exacting from the people of Texas submission to the central form of government; and, to enforce his plan of despotism, he despatched a military force to invade the colonies, and exact the arms of the inhabitants. The citizens refused the demand, and the invading force was increased. The question then was 'shall we resist the oppression and live free, or violate our oaths, and bear a despot's stripes?' The citizens of Texas rallied to the defence of their rights. They have met four to one, and. by their chivalry and courage, have vanquished the enemy
207
HISTORY OF TEXAS
with a gallantry and spirit which is characteristic of the justice of our cause.
"The army of the people is now before Bexar, besieging the cen- tral army within its wall. Though called together at the moment, the citizens of Texas, unprovided as they were in the necessary munitions of war and supplies for an army, have maintained a siege for months. Always patient and untiring in their patriotism and zeal in the cause of liberty, they have borne every vicissitude of season and every incident of the soldier, with a contempt of peril which reflects immortal honor on the members of the army of the people.
"Since our army has been in the field, a consultation of the people, by their representatives, has met, and established a provi- sional government. This course has grown out of the emergencies of the country ; the army has claimed its peculiar care. We are without law, and without a constitutional head. The provincial ex- ecutive and the general council of Texas are earnestly engaged in the discharge of their respective duties, preparing for every exigency of the country ; and I am satisfied, from their zeal, ability, and patriotism, that Texas will have everything to hope from their exer- tions in behalf of the principles which we have avowed.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.