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X WIDOW SHELLENBERGER her mark WILLIAM GRACE CHAS. S. P. JOHNSTEN
Near Fort McKavitt, Tex. March. 3rd 1859
No. 227 LETTER FROM GoVERNOR H. R. RUNNELS TO CAPT. JOHN S. FORD Executive Office Austin March 3rd 1859 To John S. Ford Capt Comdg. Texas Rangers Capt Leon Sir Your communication of 16th Feb. would have been answered at an earlier date, if I had not been in daily expec- tation of receiving intelligence from Genl. Twiggs, in regard to the future movements of the U.S. forces under his command for the protection of the frontier. His answer has not been received, and after due reflection I have determined not to order the dis- bandonment of the men under your command at this time. You will perceive from the enclosed communication that the Indians have been depredating on other parts of the frontier, to which you will dispatch assistance without delay if in your power. It is expected that your company will be active, that you will so divide your men as to traverse and protect the largest possible District of country, what time you have to remain in the field, never keeping in camp more than a sufficiency of men to protect it, or meet such immediate emergency as may arise, nor longer than to afford the animals a reasonable time to rest after fatigue; you will forward a Report of your movements with such other infor- mation as may be deemed important by Express to reach here between the 20th and 28th of the present month, that I may be assured of sufficient time to communicate such orders as may be determined on prior to the 10th of next month, as it is cieter- mined to discontinue the service of the company at the earliest possible period the emergency will permit. If there be any of the
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