|
 FRONTIER
BATTALION GENERAL ORDERS
from the
ADJUTANT GENERAL
Maj. John B. Jones
The following is a sample of general orders
from the era of the Frontier Battalion of Texas Rangers (1874-1901).
As is typical with most units organized along military lines, much time
was spent on organizational structure, the maintenance of discipline and
morale, weeding out undesirable recruits, "community relations"
and coping with bureaucracy. Maj. Jones' Battalion proved such an effective
law enforcement organization that it lasted more than a quarter-century
and brought law to settlements on the frontier.
§
Adjutant General's Office
State of Texas
Austin, Tex
May 6, 1874
General Order No. 2:
The Frontier Battalion authorized by the law approved April 10, 1874
will be organized as follows:
John B. Jones, Major Commanding, Quartermaster and Pay Master
Co. A
John R. Waller, Captain
J. A. Wright, 1st Lieutenant
2nd Lt. Vacant
Co. B
G. W. Stevens, Captain
S. G. McGarrah, 1st Lieutenant
2nd Lt. Vacant
Co. C
E. F. Ikard, Captain
G. W. Campbell, 1st Lieutenant
L. P. Beavert, 2d Lieutenant
Co. D
C. R. Perry, Captain
M. W. Ledbetter, 1st Lieutenant
Geo. Freeman, 2d Lieutenant
Co. E
W. J. Maltby, Captain
J. G Connell, 1st Lieutenant
J. M. Elkins, 2d Lieutenant
Co. F
Neal Coldwell Captain
Pat Dolan, 1st Lieutenant
F. W. Nelson, 2d Lieutenant
Captains will proceed at once to organization of their Company, calling
to their aid the Lieutenants assigned to them. Lieutenants will at once
report to their captains. The period of Service will be twelve months
unless sooner discharged.
As it is expected that this force will be kept actively employed during
their term of service only sound young men without families and with good
horses will be received.
Persons under indictment or of known bad character or habitual drunkards
will be rejected.
Captains will make temporary arrangements to supply as economically as
possible for furnishing the men with bread, beef, coffee, and sugar &
salt: the receipts for which will be taken up by the battalion Quarter
Master.
[signed] Wm Steele
Adjutant General
§
State of Texas
Headquarters Frontier Battalion
Jacksboro,
Oct 27th 1874
Gen. Orders No. 5
The attention of company commanders is called to the fact that the rations
both of subsistence and forage are furnished by the Government for the
consumption of the officers and men of the command and their horses, and
not to be consumed by such camp-followers and loafers as may choose to
congregate and lie around the camps under the pretence of wanting to join
the Rangers or waiting for a place to get in.
In view of the fact that it may be necessary to disband a portion of the
command before a great while, no more recruits will be received until
further orders.
Both officers and men should bear in mind that we are in the employment
of the the Government, being paid for our time and services, and therefore
should be constantly engaged in some sort of service. to this end, company
commanders will require of the men all the service that can be performed
with justice to their horses, in scouting up and down the line, or on
such larger scouts or expeditions against the Indians as it may be expedient
for them to make.
[Signed] Jno. B. Jones, Maj. Comdg.
§
Adjutant General's Office
State of Texas
Austin
Augt 12 1875
General Order No. 10:
I. A company monthly return will be rendered to this office on the last
day of each month.
II. The figures placed in columns under headings of AAlterations since
last monthly return@ and AMemoranda@ must be explained on the back of
the return by names, dates, etc., etc., etc. For instance 1 man joined
by transfer, 1 by enlistment, 1 discharged, 1 deserted, 1 died. The back
of the return will show as follows:
AA.B.@ jd ___________ by transfer from Co.________ by S.O. or G.O. no.________
AC.D.@ jd___________ by enlistment
AE.F.@ dischgd ________ by reason of _____________
AG.H.@ deserted _________ responsible for 1 gun, 1 pistol ______________
AI.J.@ died _________ of disease, or killed in action, or ____________
III. In the space dedicated to APublic Property,@ will be shown the number,
description, & condition of all property in possession of the Company
on the last day of each month. All articles which are paid for by the
State ( excepting subsistence & forage stores) for the use of the
Company are public property & are to be borne monthly on Return until
issued, sold back, destroyed, transferred, stolen, died, etc.
The acquisition or increase or decrease of any public property during
the month must be noted on the back of the return explaining when &
from whom purchased or received; to whom issued, sold or transferred;
how lost & by whom, date. No property will be dropped by being unfit
for use without the Major commanding the Battalion (or authority from
this office) has authorized it by special order. Nor will any property
be dropped by being lost, died, or stolen without an affidavit (to accompany
the return) showing how the property was lost & that it was unavoidable.
IV. On the first monthly return after the receipt of this order all the
property on hand at that date will be itemized on the face of the return
& on the back the company commander will show the disposition of all
property by which form discrepancy between that on hand at that date &
the amount received when they assumed command.
V. Officers transferring property will always take receipts in duplicate
for all they transfer with condition noted & forward one copy to this
office.
VI. Guns, pistols, accouterments & ammunition will be accounted for
in the same manner as other public property & on the same return.
all arms & other ordnance when received will be taken up & when
issued the names of the persons to whom it is issued will be noted.
By command of the Governor, Commander in Chief.
[signed] We Steele, Adjt General
§
Adjutant General's Office
State of Texas
Austin,
Augt 21, 1875
General Order No. 11:
I. The attention of all officers & soldiers of the State service
is called to their position as citizens subordinate to the law wherever
they may be.
This fact appears to have been disregarded in some cases, therefore it
is ordered, that any officer, non-commissioned officer or private who
resists arrest, or the service of any warrant by a peace-officer shall
be dismissed the service, and any officer or non-commissioned officer
who shall knowingly permit such action by those under his command shall
be dismissed the service of the State.
II. It is positively prohibited that any officer, non-commissioned officer
or private of state troops, shall go into the corporate limits of the
town of Decatur, Wise County (or any other town) with arms in violation
of the municipal regulations of said town.
By command of the Governor, Commander in Chief
[signed] We Steele, Adjt General
§
Headquarters Frontier Battalion
Ft. Griffin Texas
Aug 5th 1875
Genl Order No. 5:
On the thirty-first day of the present month, the expiration of the current
term of service commanders of companies will give certificates of discharge
and final statements to all the men of their respective companies, on
forms furnished from the Adjutant General's office for that purpose and
forward to the Adjutant General duplicate Muster and Pay Rolls, being
careful that the certified accounts given to the men correspond with the
statement on the Pay rolls. They will also close all company accounts
and business to that date and forward vouchers of money expenses and balance
on hand to the Adjutant General, giving in their Monthly returns accurate
lists of all public property in their possession, including ammunition.
On the first day of September next, Commanders of companies will reorganize
their respective companies enrolling three sergeants, three corporals,
and thirty-four privates each. Term of service twelve months, subject
to disbandment at any time by order of the Governor.
In enlisting men for the new companies particular attention will be paid
to the orders from the Adjutant General's office for the original organization
of the Battalion as to the character and qualifications of the men enlisted.
None but well mounted men will be received and no man will be allowed
to keep more than one horse in the service.
Triplicate muster rolls will be made giving descriptive lists of all
men and valuation of horses, one copy forwarded to the Adjutant General,
one to these Headquarters, and one retained in the company. The new organization
will be required and expected to do all the scouting that the horses are
able to perform, in accordance with the orders heretofore issued from
these headquarters.
[signed] John B. Jones, Maj. Comdg. Fron. Bat.
§
Headquarters Frontier Battalion
Mason Texas
Oct 25th 1875
Gen, Order No. 6:
On account of the meager appropriation for frontier defence for the current
year, and the consequent necessity for economizing its expenditure as
much as possible, on the 30th of November next, commanders of companies
will reduce the force of their respective companies by discharging all
except two sergeants, one corporal, and seventeen privates, giving to
the men discharged final statements of their accounts, as has been done
heretofore in similar cases.
On the same day Muster and Pay rolls will be made giving, first, the
company as reduced with pay due and statement of account, then the discharged
men with pay due and statement of their accounts, respectively. The men
retained in the company will be furnished with vouchers for pay due them
to that date and full statement of account, and especial care must be
taken that the accounts given to the men shall correspond with the Muster
and Pay Roll, of both the men discharged and those retained in the service.
The accounts given to the men shall be made in duplicate.
[signed] Jno. B. Jones, Maj. Comdg.
§
Headquarters Frontier Battalion
Mason, Texas
Nov 30th, 1875
Gen. Order No. 7:
Hereafter, three copies of the company Monthly Returns will be made at
the end of each month, one copy retained in the company, one forwarded
to me at Corsicana, Texas, and the other to Gen. We Steele, Adjt. Gen.
at Austin.
In addition to this a semi-monthly report, a written statement of the
operation and condition of the company on the 15th of each month, will
be made to me at Corsicana, Texas.
Commanders of companies are hereby directed and will be expected to do
as much scouting as possible during the winter, having a due regard for
the health of the men and the condition of the horses.
[signed] Jno. B. Jones, Maj. Comdg.
§
Headquarters Frontier Battalion
Corsicana, Texas,
March 1st 1876
Gen. Order No. 9:
I. On the first day of April next commanders of companies will recruit
their respective companies to three sergeants, three corporals and twenty-six
(26) privates, each bearing in mind the original orders for the organization
of the battalion, as to the kind of men and horses to be received into
the service.
II. During the monthe of April the forage ration will be seven pounds,
afterwards, six pounds of corn per day.
Jno. B. Jones, Maj. Comdg.
§
Headquarters Frontier Battalion
Camp near Menardville
August 25th 1876
Gen. Order No. 10:
I. Commanders of companies will give discharge and final statements of
their accounts to all the men of their respective companies on the 31st
of the present month.
II. On the first day of September next, the companies of this Battalion
will be reorganised, by the enlistment of two sergeants, two corporals
and sixteen privates each.
In enlisting recruits commanders of comapnies will bear in mind that
the original orders of His Excellency, the Governor, for the organisation
of the Frontier Battalion provides that the men enlisted for this service
must be Asound, able bodied, unmarried men of good moral cahracter@ and
that no drunkard and no one against whom an indictment is pending in the
courts of the country shall be received.
Their attention is also called to the orders in regard to the kind of
horses required and none must be received but horses of good size and
sound and serviceable.
III. Co. AA@ will continue to be the escort company to operate on the
wholeline of frontier.
Co. AB@ will be stationed on the Brazos river in the north east corner
of Throckmorton county, Post Office Belknap, Young County, Telegraph Office,
Graham City.
Co. AD@ will be stationed on the Nueces River in the north west corner
of Uvalde County - Post and telegraph office - Uvalde.
Co. AE@ will be stationed on the Jim Ned Creek in south west corner of
Calahan County, Post and Telegraph office Camp Colorado, Coleman Co.
Co. AF@ will be stationed on the San Saba river about midway between
Menardville & Fort McKavett in Menard County. Post & Telegraph
office Ft. McKavett.
IIII. Commanders of companies will give particular attention to the maintenance
of Law and Order and to the arresting of criminals and fugitives from
justice, large lists of whom with orders for their arrest will be forwarded
in a few days.
[signed] Jno. B. Jones, Maj Comdg.
§
Headquarters Frontier Battalion
Camp Menite Ker. Co. Texas
Aug. 29th 1876
Gen. Order No. 11:
So much of Gen. Order no. 10 as refers specially to Companies D and F
is hereby changed as follows. viz.
Co. AD@ will be stationed on the San Saba river about midway between
Fort McKavett and Menardville in Menard County. Post and Telegraph office
Ft. McKavett Care of Sam Wallack.
Co. AF@ will be stationed on the Nueces River in the north west corner
of Uvalde County, Post and Telegraph Office - Uvalde.
[signed] Jno. B. Jones, Maj. Comdg.
§
Adjutant General's Office
State of Texas
Austin, Feby 21, 1878
General Order No. 25:
As heretofore directed State troops will lay aside their arms when in
cities or towns, unless in the discharge of some specific duty.
Visiting saloons, circuses or other places of amusement with arms, unless
under an order for a specific purpose, is forbidden.
By command of Governor R. B. Hubbard Commander in Chief
[signed] Wm Steele Adjutant General
§
Hd. Qrs. Front. Batt.
Austin, Tex., Aug 4, 1878
Genl. Order no. 23:
On the 31st the present month commanders of companies will give honorable
discharge to the men of their respective companies and furnish them duplicate
certificates of the pay due them at that time.
On the 1st day of Sept. next the companies of this command will be re-organized
and recruited by the company commanders. Each company to be composed of
two sergeants, two corporals, and twenty men. Enlistments will be for
twelve months unless sooner discharged.
The attention of company commanders is hereby called to orders here-to
fore issued from the Adjutant General's office and from these headquarters
in regard to the qualifications of men enlisted in this service, and particularly
to the fact that no habitual drunkard, men of immoral character or whom
an indictment is pending can be received.
The men received must be mounted on good horses, no ponies will be received
except they have before been in the service and proven to be capable of
performing as much service as good horses.
Attention is called to the law for the organization of this command which
provides that a horse once received in the service cannot be traded or
disposed of without the consent of the Company Commander. This must here
after be rigidly enforced.
[signed] Jno. B. Jones, Maj. Comdg, Front. Batt.
§
Adjutant General's Office
State of Texas
Austin, Feby 8, 1879
General Order No. 1: All returns & reports heretofore made to the
Major Commdg Front Batt. will here after be sent to the Adjt Genl=s Office
only. Muster & pay Rolls, will be sent to this office in duplicate.
Only one copy of other papers is required.
[signed] Jno. B. Jones, Adjt. General
§
Hd Quters Co. E Front Batt.
Camp King May 6th 1883
Special Order No. 7:
Whereas there has been a petition signed by the members of this Co. and
presented to me asking that a portion of General Order No 23 be revoked
so as to allow card playing between certain hours therefore card playing
will be allowed between the hours of 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. then from one
p.m. to 5 p.m.
Further no member will be allowed to play on the part of the day he is
assigned to duty and if any member is caught or reported as playing for
cartridges or outside the hours herein prescribed shall forfeit all of
his privileges of this order.
[signed]
J. T. Gillespie, Lieut. Comdg. Co. E. Front. Batt.
§
Taylor Co. Hd Quters Co. E F B
Camp Elm
Jan 19th 1885
Special Order No. 31:
T. T. Deel is hereby discharged on account of violation of General Order
No. 13 A. G.O.
[signed] J. T. Gillespie Capt. Co. E F. B.
§
Adjutant General's Office
State of Texas
Austin, Texas Mch 31, 1885
General Order No. 21: The Legislature having reduced the appropriation
for frontier defense necessitates the following changes in the front.
batt. viz.:
Compy A: Capt. G. W. Baylor Commdg will be mustered out of service to
take effect April 15, 1885.
Capt. Jno. O. Johnson, QM Frt. Batt. will proceed to Murphyville Tx &
attend to the disposition of the public property of said Compy to the
best advantage of the state.
By command of Governor John Ireland, Commander in Chief
[signed] W. H. King, Adjt. General
§
Adjutant General's Office
State of Texas
Austin, Texas, April 16, 1885
Circular:
The officials of the Mo. Pac. R. R. Company complain that the system
of free transportation furnished to rangers is being abused and require
that in future, the following rules be observed.
1st Passes must be filled out in ink.
2nd The names of all the rangers travelling [sic] on the pass, must be
written. If there is not place on the face of the pass write names on
the back
3rd The word return on the pass will be stricken out, and company commanders
will issue two passes, one to go to a certain point, and the other to
return from said point.
4th None but rangers must use these passes. If prisoners, or other persons
are under guard, or under escort of rangers, their fare must be paid like
any other passenger. Complaint is made that prisoners are sometimes carried
on ranger passes although this office has, at different times since the
inauguration of the free transportation system, cautioned company commanders
against such a practice.
List of members of each company will be immediately sent to this office
to be transmitted to the office of G. P. Agt at Galveston.
A full compliance with above requirements will be exacted by the Conductors.
[signed] W. H. King, Adjt General
§
Head Quters Co. E F. B.
April 21st 1885
Special Order No. 33:
Members of Co E wishing to leave camp for a time will report same to
officer (or Lance Corporal) in charge of camp to get permission that the
whereabouts of absent members may be known at all times. Article 1 of
General Order no. 13 A. G. O. will be strictly observed and Article III
of same order will be rigidly enforced.
Members are expected to wear their arms in towns when visiting such with
any other purpose than drinking or gambling, visiting houses of prostitution
with your arms is forbidden unless in company with some city or county
officer. Complaint (in the past) has been made that members of Company
E while visiting said houses of prostitution have rudely displayed their
pistols to the annoyance of all present.
Coppies [sic] of Gen Order 13 is furnished each Co, and the attention
of members of this Co is called to same though when a member obtains permission
to visit a town he is considered on Specific Duty unless such member violates
part III of Gen O No. 13.
[signed]
J. T. Gillespie Capt. Co. E Front. Batt.
§
Adjutant General's Office
State of Texas
Austin, Texas, July 9, 1885
Circular:
Arrangements have been made with the Mo. Pac. System of Rail Roads by
which transportation of members of the Frontier Battalion will be paid
for by this Department. . .
The understanding is that the order signed by the Company Commander (on
blanks issued from this office) must be presented to the ticket agent
at point of departure. The ticket agent issues te number of tickets called
for by the order & takes receipt for said tickets on back of the order
& retains it. No money is to be paid by party holding the order. As
transportation is now to be paid for, company commanders are forbidden
to give order for passage to men discharged or on furlough, no prisoners.
Orders will be issued only to men going from one point to another on public
duty.
[signed] W. H. King, Adjt General
Acknowledge receipt with no. of orders
§
Adjutant General's Office
State of Texas
Austin, Texas Augt 15, 1885
General Order No. 26:
The Frontier Battalion will be reorganized on the 1st Sept. as usual
& as required by law.
The numerical strength of the companies will remain as indicated in instructions
now in force.
On reorganization every man will be sworn in for one year unless sooner
discharged, & the oath filed in the company records.
By command of Governor & Commander in Chief
[signed] W. H. King, Adjt. General
§
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