Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-09-02
ADDITIONAL MILITARY FORCE IN TEXAS.

We had report from Texas, day or two ago,
that Gen. SMITH, in command Of that military de-
partment, had authorized the enrolment of six COM
panies of mounted volunteers for the protection of
the frontier. This report is confirmed by the sub
joined correspondence, copied from late Texas
paper
HEADQUARTERS DEpARrMENr OF Texas
CoRPUs CHRIsrI, July 20, 1854.
To his Excellency E. NJ. PEAsE,
Governor of the STATE Of TEXAS.
sn: have been instructed by the Secretary Of War
call upon the Governor Of Texas for aid, should the
exgencies OF the service In your opinion require it,
pelng Indian incursions; and in such event you will
make requsition for such number Of mounted from
service, will be supplied with ammunition forage and
subsistence by the United Statesn
the only evil to be avoided were the direct injury
from the Indian incursons should not think the cont
gency contemplated by the Secretary had arrived for go
many Of the reports spread by papers are to nv own
knowledge 50 entirely abricstions that the case present.
than is here But there doubtless other serious
evils that follow murders and robberies that have really
happened and the greatest tho Of general nse-
cury on the frontier which interrupts industry and pre-
vents increase Of population the border where is
most desirable as the best means Of defence
IT, in the opinion Of your Excellency, the presence Of
additional troops on the frontier is necessary repe ac-
tua ncursions would be unwilling to set my own opn-
Ion in opposition to that Of yourself who represent the
belief and wishes Of the people interested and III
in the second place you think feeling Of security SO me-
CessHry Denencial Doruer SettlementS could
only be produced by adding to the troops there would
take your opinion as the rule for my action and decide
that the contemplated had arrived in which was to
call on your Excellency for mounted men,
But as the raising and support Of temporary troops are
both the Government and the troops them
selves il very desirable that they should be selected
with for the particular service they are destined for
and should be well mounted and armed. / would pro-
pose, then, your opinion is in favor of calling more
companies into service that the first day Of November
next six mounted companies should be called into service
on which day four Of them will be mustered into the SER
vice Of the United States for twelve months unless sooner
ut Fort Martin Scott and twoof them
at or near Fort Worth This would give two and half
months to raise and organize and arm the companies
They would be during the winter placed the frontier
and would in the spring. the grass would an
swer, make two expeditions into the Indian country and
endeavor 70 inict blow which should ensure the tran
quillity Of the border for the future.
Your Excelency will do the favor to send your re-
ply dopcateone to this place to the Assistant Adju-
tant General and the other the Of the Assistant
Quarteraster at San Antonio be forwarded to me by
express on my route to Las Moras
1t is to be observed that the troops to be sup
piled with ammunition, forage and subsistence by the
Und States OF course they are to provide their arms
horses and equipments The supply Of revolver pistols
was o limited one, and presume is exhausted.
AS there has been no appropriation for paying these
men, they will have to wait until the law provides their
case.
The legal organization Of mounted company is as
follows:
One captain, Hrst and one second lieutenant four
sergean four corporals two bugers one farrier and
seventy -four privates.
With high respect, your obedient servant
PERSIFER F. SMITH,
Brevet Major General, Com. Dept.