Indian Papers of Texas and the Southwest, Vol. V

257

Lieut. Col. L. Thomas, Asst. Adjt. Genl

Head qrs of the Army West Point, N. Y.

Hd. qrs. Dept. of Texas,

San Antonio, Sept. 8th 1858.

Official Copy

JNO. WITHERS, Asst. Adj t. General

Head qrs. Dept. of Texas. San Antonio, Augst. 4th 58 Bvt. Maj. Genl. D. E. Twiggs Comdg Dept. Proposes plan of an expedition against the Indians

[Endorsed:]

No. 183 LETTER FROM D. E. TWIGGS TOT. COOPER

Head Quarters Department of Texas San Antonio, Augst. 9th, 1858.

Sir:

Your letter of the 24th July, enclosing one from the Head Quarters of the Army, is received. In reply I beg leave to trans- mit a Copy of my letter to Army Head Quarters of the 4th of August, which will give my views more in detail. For the last ten years, the troops in this department have been acting mostly on the defensive, the Indians will not remain quiet, and they must be made to feel the power of the United States. An expedi- tion like the one I proposed can be made without any additional expense, and I think if it remained in the Indian Country for some time it would give quiet to this frontier. The post about to be established on the Rio Grande where the El Paso road strikes the river is of great importance: it will give security to Emi- grants and to the Mail; two Companies of Infantry will occupy that position as soon as arrangements can be made

Very respectfully Your Obt Servt. (Sigd) D. E. TWIGGS Bvt. Maj. Genl. U.S. A. Comdg Dept.

Powered by