Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. V

218

No. 160

PETITION FROM THE CITIZENS OF ERATH COUNTY TO GoVERNOR H. R. RUNNELS

Stephensville, Erath Co Texas Jany 1858

To His Excelency Gov. H. R. Runnels Sir

We the undersigned Citizens of Erath County would most respectfully represent to your Excelency that in considera- tion of the Numerous Indian depredations recently committed within our boundary, and by which we have been deprived of the lives of six valuable citizens and have been subjected to the loss of much property.-we deem it a duty to our wives and children to as you to take into consideration our condition, and use some means for our speedy relief from the incursions of those maraud- ing Indians who for a long time have infested our country. There is an extensive scope of country between the Brazos & Colorado Rivers more than a hundred & fifty Miles in bredth, which can not be defended by the small bodys of U.S. trnops at Camp Colorado & Camp Cooper; Until recently there has never been a regular soldier in our vacinity. We Know them to be in every way capacitated and willing to do there duty when called upon to act. And we are as much entitled to their protection and services as our more fortunate Neighbors. We do therefore most respectfully petion your Excel- ency to lay the Matter before Gen. Twigs for his consideration requesting him at the same time to send a detachment of mounted Troops for our defense as Spedially as possible. We have now mustered into service a little band of rangers under the command of Lt. Comak Twenty in number who have left their pursuits-and business at considerable sacrifice to de- fend our homes, but they are too few to insure our perfect se- curity. If however we could obtain through your influence a detachment of Mounted Troops to cooperate with our rangers we are confident that we will no longer be annoyed by the depre- dations of the Comanches & other hostile tribes. There are beautiful locations in our county where a Cavalry Camp might be established with good grass and excellent water with every facility for obtaining supplies from this and the North Eastern Counties.