The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-10-07
Interesting Letter.

The following letter from Capt. Rob
crts, who now resides at Nagal, \. Mex,
was read:
To Ny Old Comrades of Company d.
Frontier Battalion, Texas Rangers:
Words fail to express my regret and
Intense disappointment at not being
able to BE- with you ut this our first TO
union.
Although ! am denied the great priv
ilcgc OF seeing YOU, face to face. and
grasping your hands. he assured. my he
loved comrades, that | am with YOU
in spirit, and that my heart is in this
noble work-thnt Of pcrpetuating the
name and fame of the Texas rangers.
not only to keep it fresh in our own
memories, but that our postcrity may
fully know and appreciate the service
rendered by our gallant men to the
state, whereby We helped to lay the
Foundation OF II civilization which they
win enjoy, but may fail to recognize.
Circumstances have separated us from
each other. | have drittcd from my
loved old state but time and space can
not cfiace from my memory or eradicate
from my affections those comrades with
whom | have stood side by side in sun
shine and in shade. in conflict and in
times of quiet rcpose, during so many
OF the best years of our lives.
Some "reminiscences of ranger camp
are among the most pleasant remem-
brances of my life. How wildly | re-
call the scenes around the campfire. and
the stirring incidents that go to make
mp camp life. For instance:
The report that there were fifteen In
dams seen on the divide between Menard
and Kimblc counties. The excitement
was intense and the men detailed on
that scout were highly elatcd, each eX-
pecting to return bearing an Indian scalp
fastened to his belt. Alas! After hours
OF hard riding they came in with the
sad news that they had traled a herd
of mustangs. Such disappointments
were very common.
Doubtless you will readily recall our
FIRST engagement with the Indians when
we were camped below Menardville.
How eager you were to attack them,
and 1t was with great difficulty you were
restrained until the proper time to fire.
Some OF us had q close call n bullet
passing through Jim Hawkins hat; my
horse wounded in the shoulder: some
horses killed; but, withal, we came out
without scratch. This defeat seemed
to satisfy the Indians. for they sought
pastures new, and never returned again
to that part of the country, having left
behind them several of their dead,
One of the Indian chiefs who was il
command in subsequent fight, in which
we captured the Mexican boy, is now
living on the Mescalaro Indian reserva
ton. within twenty-five miles of my
home. His name is Kahoosh. We
have buried the Ratchet, but are moi
neighborly, and in passing through the
reservation | always keep sharp look
out for Kahoosh
Were we together we could recall in
cident after. incident, and live, MS II
T We're. the old ranger life over again.
Ii is with mingled feelings of pride
and pleasure that | recall the implied,
confidence l had in the stendfast cour
age of each of my men, knowing as
did, that where led they would surely
follow.
While YOU are rejoicing in this reunion
ID is sad to note the missing faces
those we never hope to see again; hu
Z YOU will not forget to honor their mem
DRY. One among these. much beloved
by us ALL was Adjutant General join
Il. Jones. "our major" who was with
us from the beginning and continued il
the service until called from earth b,
the dread destroyer. death. \ gran,
man! A patriotic soldier! A DARN.
and chivalrous officer! A generous an,
sympathetic friend! All the attributes
of a noble and true manhood We're com
+ bined in Gen. John h. Jones.
ala w ME nave not DttU permitted u
strike hands with you at this reunion
still look forward to the happy tim,
when ] shall he in the midst of the mer
~ making. Dear comrades, we ar
rangers no more except in spirit, but IL
our various callings let our influence III
felt fer truth. patriotism and good cit
izenship, exhibiting the same enthusi
asm and zeal that we have ever shown
MS soldiers. Let our purpose be to &C
well our part on the stage of life, s.
y that when the last roll Is called. and W
4 receive our final furlouGh we may leav
good record to postcrity and an unfair
nished name to the Texas rangers
Yours truly. ID. ". ROBERTS.
The following letter from Gen. W. II
King was Also read:
Sulphur Springs. Tex, Oct. l, 1897.
Jse q. Booth. Esq. Austin, Texas:
Ny Dear Sir II is with real rcgre