Museum Quality Americana
A two page ALS of future Union General Thomas J. Wood writing to future Confederate General William J. Hardee January 5, 1853 on the Texas frontier. Our letter addresses “depredations” the Indians have committed close to Fort Croghan in Texas (go to www.fortcroghan.org to read the history of this Fort… it has a museum that can be toured). Lt. Wood uses very strong language (speaking on the authority of “the Commanding General”) that Lt. Col. Hardee…
“…directs that you find the culpable tribe or band, reclaim the stolen property, demand the persons who committed the depredations, and if they should not be surrendered to you, that you exterminate every all the men, and make the women and children prisoners. Instructions will be given to you subsequently in regard to the latter.
If you demand for the culprits you should be answered with the assertion that they have not returned, the general commanding directs that you take a number of the principal men and retain them in close custody, to be held as hostages until the guilty are surrendered.
Before resorting to extreme measures, the Commanding General directs that you will make every effort to secure the individual offenders. He would avoid if possible, involving a whole tribe in the fate which should first devolve on a few guilty persons.
If you deem it necessary, the Commanding General authorizes you to take into the field the warranted company at Fort Belknap.
I am, Col., very respy,
Your obt. Servt.,
Th. J. Wood
Lt. 2nd Dragoons & A.D.C.”
The letter is written on blue stationary, has minor staining and is in very fine condition, written in nice dark ink. An important historical letter!
#S11 – Price $2995
Transcription of letter:
Tempy. Head Qts, & Depts,
San Antonio, Texas
Jany 5th, 1853.
Sir:
The Indians - believed to be Caddos, have necessarily committed
depredations within the very radius of Fort Croghan. The
Commanding General directs that you satisfy yourself fully as to the
identity of the perpetrators of these lawless and impudent acts, and
then that you proceed against them with all the mounted force east of
the Colorado – leaving only a sufficient guard to insure the safety of
the posts.
Maj. Sibley will doubtlessly give you such information as will
enable you to determine satisfactually the authors of these atrocities.
The Commanding General directs that you find the culpable tribe or
band, reclaim the stolen property, demand the persons who committed
the depredations, and if they should not be surrendered to you, that
you exterminate every all the men, and make the women and children
prisoners. Instructions will be given to you subsequently in regard to
the ladder.
If you demand for the culprits you should be answered with the
assertion that they have not returned, the general commanding directs
that you take a number of the principal men and retain them in close
custody, to be held as hostages until the guilty are surrendered.
Before resorting to extreme measures, the Commanding General
directs that you will make every effort to secure the individual
offenders. He would avoid if possible, involving a whole tribe in the
fate which should first devolve on a few guilty persons.
If you deem it necessary, the Commanding General authorizes you
to take into the field the warranted company at Fort Belknap.
I am, Col., very respy,
Your obt. Servt.,
Th. J. Wood
Lt. 2nd Dragoons & A.D.C.
To Bvt. Lt. Col. W. J. Hardee
Comdg. 8th C.
