365 of the company belonging to Palo Pinto, Erath, and Coryell coun- ties were discharged on the [blank] of August. On the 22nd we left this camp on our homeward march. The remainder of the First detachment were discharged at Waco on the first of Sep- tember and the second detachment at Belton, on the 4th. All supplies of forage, provisions, camp equipage, transpor- tation, &c. were procured on the best terms possible, on the faith of the State. I appointed First Sergeant W. B. Whittington, as acting Quarter Master and Commissary, by whom most of the purchases were made, subject to my approval. Leiut. Nowlin was specially appointed to contract for transportation, which he did on the best terms within reach. For cost, doubtless better con- tracts could have been made; but as it was, nothing was pur- chased not deemed essential, and on very resasonable terms, all thing considered. The character of the country, being exceedingly rough and rocky, rendered an unusual amount of horse shoeing almost daily necessary, and private W. J. Perryman was detailed Assistant Blacksmith. The accompanying exhibits show every item of indebtedness created by the company, and duplicates re- corded in the book herewith transmitted for the guidance of the Pay Master when appointed. I respectfully recommend that Private Pike be paid the ap- praisal value of his gun, destroyed in the service; that an equi- table allowance be made Sergeant Whittington for his extra and onerous duties and to those detailed for a time as Hospital Stew- ards, and to J. W. Murrill for 17 days service as chief of the guard left at Caddo Spring in charge of the camp and supplies. I cannot conclude this report without awarding to the officers and men of the command unstinted praise for their general conduct as men and as soldiers. From Leiuts. Nowlin, White, Bell, and Carmack, Sergeants. Whittington, Brown, White and Sublett, and indeed every officer, I received every aid and support in th·eir power. As my more immediate counselors, I invariably found Leiuts. Nowlin and White, discreet, frank and fully appreciating the character and double responsibility of the expedition. From these facts, so well tested in daily intercourse, and their acknowledged gallantry and experience, I can but call the favorable attention of the State Government to them should their services be again needed. The health of Dr. Oakes prevented his efficiency and he was fur- loughed for a short time. His place, however, was well filled by the unremitting attention of Dr. Bradford, whose skill saved the lives of several young men. At the Brazos Agency, on our return, Dr. Bradford also voluntarily gave two days attention to a soldier
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