THE WRITINGS-OF SAM HOUSTON
1814-1836
A CERTIFICATE CONCERNING THE SERVICES OF THOMAS BODKINS 1 I do certify that Thos. Bodkins entered his Waggon and team into the service of the United States on the 11th of March 1814 and was on the 22nd. of May 1814 Dischargd at Camp Ross and allowed eight days to return home and I do further certify that there is due him 3916 lb hay and 10 Bushels of Corn Given under my hand this 16 th • of July 1814 Saml Houston 2 Waggon Master 1Dallas Historical Society, Dr. W. E. Howard's Collection. 2 This and the three following items signed by Samuel Houston as Wagonmaster seem to the editors of somewhat doubtful authenticity. The handwriting is apparently different from that in other documents written by Houston in his early life. Moreover, while Houston entered the United States army as a private in the 39th Infantry, March 24, 1813, he was soon made a sergeant, became an ensign on July 29, 1813, a third lieutenant on December 31, 1813, and a second lieutenant on May 20, 1814. He was transferred to the 7th Infantry on May 17, 1815, became a first lieutenant on May 1, 1817, and resigned from the army, March 1, 1818 (see Francis B. Heitman, Histo1·ical Registe1· and Dictionary of the United States A1·1ny, 1789-1903, I, 545). According to this record Houston was, at the time these three items were written, a second lieutenant in the 39th Infantry, and would probably have signed documents of these dates with his titular rank. However, the certificate of John Martin's pay, dated August 17, 1814, was written from Maryville, the home of Houston's mother, therefore we include these documents with this explanation. A CERTIFICATE CONCERNING THE SERVICES OF SAMUEL GAMBLE 1 I do Certify that Samuel Gamble entered his four horse Waggon & Team into the Service of the United States on the 24th day of February 1814, and was on the 17th of May 1814 Dischargd at Knoxville and allowed one Day to return home and I do further Certify that there is Due to him 4704 lb Hay and 12 Bushels of Corn Given under my hand this this 8th Day of August 1814 Saml Houston vVaggon Master
1From the Emil Hurja Collection, Washington, D.C.
Powered by FlippingBook