The Papers of Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, Volume VI

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PAPERS OF :MIRABEAU BUONAPARTE LA-:IL-1.R

proper mode of having a private of one Company transfered to an- other I was induced to do this in consequence of a desire on the part ~f one of Coln Johnsons men of foot infantry to join the Texas Mounted Riflemen, I received in reply, as well as I now remember, the following decis- sion as coming Head Quarters itself.-viz-:- that the Consent of the Commander in Chief was necessary to the "discharge" of a soldier but that the "transfer" of a soldier from one Company to another, required only the consent of the Capt, and the approval of the Colonel, I think it was upon this decision, and in this manner that private Alston of the Galveston foot Company was transfered to the Regiment of Texas :Mounted Riflemen, Believing- such to be the law, and the custom, I did not' suppose that any difficulty could arise in having private Hill,- Company "E" of your Regiment transfered to my Command, after his having received the consent of his Captain and yourself, I am told hm\fever, that Gnl Patterson will not allow the desired transfer to be made, His reasons for refusing the request I have not been informed of, They may be very just and substantial, and if understood might prove altogether satisfactory; but neither :Mr Hill nor myself having any right to demand an explanation of his views and motives, it becomes us both to submit to the decision as readily without a reason, as with one, As the matter however is one of some little feeling with me, (the nature of which you understand,) I shall take the liberty of appealing to Genl Taylor upon the subject, and if a fa~orable answer shall be recd from him, I hope that I may find a ready renewal of Your consent to the transfer, as well as the friendly acquiescence of Capt. Shelby, l\Ir Hill is a very young man,- is my near relation, and desires the benefits of my counsils and guardian- ship,-has performed his duty as a good soldier, his transfer will be gratifying to his parents and probably to himself, and can prove no possible detriment to the public service, His time will not be abridged by the transfer, nor will his activity be diminished, Under these cir- cumstances, if you might assume the responsibility of laying them before Genl Patterson in person, it is more than probable his consent might yet be obtained before my departure, I shall leave some time tomorrow Yours Respectfully l\lIRABEAU B. LAMAR [Endorsed :] 1\f B Lamar to Col Coffee

No. 2231. THOMAS l\l. LIKENS TO LAMAR

Camp l\lartinario [ ?] Nov 7th 1846

Capt. Comdg. Lorado Guards Sm I have the honor to Report, that a member (private) belonging to your Command viz John Criswell has acted as I believe improperly, for the general wellfare, desire, and happiness of the Command it is only necessary for each one to do his duty promptly. and at the same time be Respectfull to their Officers and not to act Contemptuously. on the 6th Inst. the said Criswell was mildly Requested by myself to Remain behind and not Ride in front of the pack mules- his Reply

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