Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. V

122 service. Should your Excellency repose that trust in me I shall endeavor to fulfil it with my best exertions. I have the honor to be Your very Obdt Servt BENJ. L. RUSK

Military Commission Benjamin L. Rusk Esq. Application for appointment to the command of a Company

[Endorsed]

of Mounted Rangers. Nacogdoches, Texas August 13th, 1852. Recd. at the Exec. Dept. State of Texas. Austin, August 19, 1852.

No. 98 LETTER FROM JOHN A. REDFIELD TO P. H. BELL

Cunningham August 14th 1852

Gov Bell. Sir, Some days since I took the liberty of making an appli- cation to your Excellency for a commission to raise a company for frontier protection and in making that application as I did through Gen Green, I thought you would be able to learn from Gen Green. my character and capacity, as I had served under him. I am well aware of the great caution to be used by your Excellency in the selection of men for such important trusts. I am most willing to become an object of such scrutiny. I have lived on this frontier for twenty one years and I cannot but flat- ter myself that my long service in our Indian and Mexican wari:; has given me an insight into their mode of warfare, and I might perhaps without arrogance urge it as at least a slight claim to your favorable notice. It affords me great pleasure to be allowed to refer you to Col. John H. Moore of Fayette County with whom I have served upon several long campaigns. With the late Gen. Burleson I have often served, but his testimony is gone. Gen. Mayfield of La Grange has known me as a Soldier I would also refer you to Col John Caldwell of Bastrop County who has known me for many years. Also to Col Jesse Billingsly of Bastrop, who will cheerfully testify in my favor. Also Gen J. P. Henderson will still remember me as a soldier under his command in 1846. Your Excellency will excuse me if I manifest some pride in offering the testimony of these gentlemen.

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