140
of horses, as the Indians, or other ill disposed persons, had stolen and driven off almost all the horses in the region of Corpus Christi and Brownsville. Notwithstanding these difficulties, on the 14 of September, 1852, I mustered Capt. Lewis into service at Brownsville. His company was not full, but I gave him an order to recruit until his organization would be complete, and I have the pleasure of informing you that before I left Brownsville his com- pany was very nearly filled. At Brownsville I contracted on part of the State with Mr. E. B. Barton for supplies of subsistence and forage for the com- panies commanded by Captains Lewis and Davis, a triplicate copy of which I herewith send you, marked "A". From Brownsville I went to Rio Grande City, where I found Captain Lewis awaiting me, ready for muster, which I did on the 21st day of September, 1852; Mr. Barton, contractor, with com- mendable promptitude was on the ground and ready to furnish the supplies- On the day of muster, Messrs. Davis and Durst had furnished supplies for the volunteers as they arrived up to the day of muster; accounts for which I approved. From Rio Grande City I proceeded to Laredo, where I was very glad to find that the Hon: H. P. Bee had furnished Captain Shaw's company in compliance with a request which I had made him by letter from San Antonio with subsistence and forage up to the date of my arrival, when I contracted with him for the permanent subsistence of the company including the time which had elapsed. A copy of which contract I herewith submit marked "B". Having then concluded my mission to the best of my abili- ties, I returned home and submit to your Excellency this report of my action; but in conclusion I must be permitted to add that I should do great violation to my feelings were I to omit to speak of the very great kindness of the citizens generally in ev- ery section of the country through which I have passed ; and I am sure it will be a source of gratification to your Excellency to know that the call made by you for volunteers now in the field was most cordially sustained by the citizens generally, with scarcely an exception. In regard to the companies I am proud to state, that they consist mainly of the right kind of material, well mounted, for the particular service, armed in the best manner; and I think that I hazard nothing in predicting that the most sanguine ex-
Powered by FlippingBook