Albert Sidney Johnston Autograph Letter Signed on Patrolling the Frontier, Describing Success in "repelling the attacks of the Indians"

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Mar 13, 2024

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• Lot Description
  ALS signed “A. S. Johnston, Col. 2d Cav'ly, Com'g Dept.,” four pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 9.75, November 17, 1856. Handwritten letter to a colonel, written from the headquarters of the Department of Texas, reporting on skirmishes with the Lipan Apache and Comanche Indians on the frontier, and advocating for a stronger offensive approach in dealing with them. In full: "The measures adopted by General Vidauri to chastise the Lipans and prevent their incursions across the boundary of the Rio Grande in violation of their stipulations with the Mexican authorities were made known to you in my communication of the 8th Novr. Inst. I did hope that these acts, in vindication of the rights of humanity, and so well designed to reestablish the comity which it is desirable always to maintain between friendly powers, would result in a cessation from further depredations on the part of that band of Indians: But it seems that there are no influences, sufficiently potent to repress the prompting of their predatory nature—Since my last letter they have made their appearance on several points on the frontier, tho' remote from each other, their movements are probably preconcerted. One party presumed to be Lipans was seen about one hundred miles west of south of this place near the Nuecess river, another about 12 miles from here near the Medina river and another, probably Southern Comanches, near the source of the Guadaloupe river 70 miles north of west of this place. This last party, I regret to say, succeeded in surprising a party of seven citizens of that region, and in killing two & wounding three of them.
  
  
  
  These people had separated themselves two days before from a scouting party out from Camp Verdi, under the command of Lieut. Chambliss 2d Cavalry. All the troops at my disposition have been kept actively & vigilantly employed in repelling the attacks of the Indians on the frontier and with comparative success; yet, when it is considered that this frontier embraces an extent of more than a thousand miles, every where accessible, it will be perceived that the means, to cover defensively such an extent of country, are inadequate, and it may very well be doubted whether a large force, so employed, can prevent the incursions of small parties.
  
  
  
  The Indians who disturb the largest portion of the frontier of this Department inhabit a district of country on the head waters of the Canadian & Red rivers in the Department of the west, probably 450 miles from this place—They are the Kioweys, middle & southern Comanches, & Wichitas—
  
  
  
  By establishing a strong Cavalry post of one regiment at least, near the Wichita mountains and operating offensively against those Indians in winter as well as in summer, from that position they may be destroyed or forced to submit to the just demands of the Government—
  
  
  
  They have no just conception of the power of the Government—They judge from what they see themselves and unless they are followed to their hunting grounds with a sufficient force to act vigorously against them, they will continue their depredations. The Lipans tho' contemptible in number cannot be put down without the simultaneous action of the troops on both sides of the border." In fine condition. Accompanied by a detailed article entitled "Albert Sidney Johnson on Patrolling the Frontier, prepared by Harrell H. Cherry and Joseph W. McKnight, discussing the context and circumstances of this significant letter.
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