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Our C atliolic Heritage in T e:xas
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of the soldiers moved in from Coahuila or Nuevo Reyno de Leon, but in general there were very few civilians at La Bahia at this time. Returning to the garrison, Captain Ramirez de la Piscina declared that all the men had uniforms. These appear to have consisted mainly in the wearing of blue coats with which they were all supplied. Every man had his gun, sword, shield, chaps, and breastplate. The soldiers of this presidio were regularly instructed in military drills and they had target practice. The captain then gives an interesting account of the way in which frontier outposts fought the Indians. The method of warfare with the natives was different from that employed in regular warfare in other countries. Seldom if ever were the men of a presidio called upon to engage in a regular battle. Nor did they often undertake a formal campaign against the natives without the expressed consent from the viceroy. Usually they limited themselves to protective measures against surprise by raiding parties. If hostile Indians succeeded in a raid, the soldiers pursued them in order to recapture the stolen animals or goods. If the malefactors were overtaken and captured, they were brought back to the presidio and either made to work for a period of time or whipped. After they were duly punished and kept in the presidio under guard for a time, they were given presents and allowed to return to the woods or to join one of the missions. 19 Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo was opposite the presidio on the north bank of the river. Its monastery and church were well built, the Indians had as yet only jacales ( temporary huts) but these were neat and comfortable, and the whole mission was surrounded by a substantial stockade. The neophytes had all been baptized, were well instructed in the fundamentals of our holy faith, and appeared to be happy and contented. The two nations represented in this mission were the Xaraname and the Tamique. Many of them had not only been baptized, but had been married by the church. Mission Nuestra Senora del Rosario, which had finally been established four years before in 1754, was located one and one-half leagues (about four miles) to the west of the presidio. The Indians congregated were the Coxanes (Cujanes), Guapites, and Karankawas. In the four years of its existence the mission had baptized one hundred and thirty-seven natives, but there were many under instruction who would soon be admin- istered this sacrament. All the neophytes attended the doctrina regularly and were relatively industrious and diligent in the performance of their
19 Manuel Ramirez de la Piscina to the Viceroy, May 2, 1762. A. G. M., Hisloria, Vol. 95, pp. 122-131.
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