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117 The Texas Congress was taxed with creating a new system for protecting its frontiers in the wake of the Mexican incursions of 1842. Citizens from the eastern portions of the state had not been of benefit to the more sparsely settled western counties during the times of crisis. Deciding that reestablishing a formal Texas Army was futile, the Congress opted to organize a new militia with designated commanders in order that the Republic of Texas would be able to be better organize itself in the event of another invasion attempt.1 The Seventh Congress passed a new frontier act on January 16, 1843, which declared a state of martial law between the Nueces and Rio Grande while hostilities existed between Mexico and Texas. The major general of the Texas Militia, once again Thomas Jefferson Rusk, was authorized to organize his militia throughout Texas into six brigades of up to six companies of 56 men each. Rusk was able to organize his militia should he "deem it expedient" and take his command into the field. Congress even dictated where the militia companies were to be stationed if they were raised: "two companies at the crossing of the Presidio road of the Leona River; two companies at the White House on the Nueces River; one company at Tumlinson's Blockhouse; and the remaining company to be posted in the West, at the discretion of the commanding officer." A sum of $50,000 was set aside to pay any militia forces which should be mobilized during 1843.2 Chapter 7 "Active, Vigilant and Efficient" 1843 The Seventh Congress passed an additional act on January 16 which authorized the formation of a new spy company to protect the southwestern frontier. Five hundred dollars was set aside to pay this company until such time as the new militia act could be passed. In the end, President Houston disagreed with the locations of the militia units and he refused to sign the act.3 The new ranging company had no company commander designated by Congress, but Jack Hays soon took control of this unit's organization. As events would come to pass, no other formal military force was authorized for all of 1843, and the rangers Hays would organize were the sole formal military force in Texas that year, as authorized by law. Houston would forbid any armed forces to operate in the Nueces-Rio Grande country during 1843 except for those commanded by Captain Hays.4 Within a few weeks of the passing of the new scouting company law, word reached Jack Hays in San Antonio. He had recently reached town after passing through Gonzales, where he acquired "one new strong bridle" from Valentine Bennett on January 29, 1843. Hays began recruiting volunteers for his ranging unit during February 1843, but enlisting men into his new command proved to be tougher than he would have imagined. The invasions of 1842 had caused many families to leave San Antonio. After his first nine days in command of his company, Hays had only two privates under his direction, Sam Luckie and Frank Paschal. By March, however, his company had grown to 15 men, including Rufe Perry, Matt Jett, William Jett and Ad 118 SAVAGE FRONTIER Capt. Hays’ Spy Company: March 1–April 30, 1843 Captain: John Coffee Hays Privates: Donley, John Eschalara, Manuel (guide) Gillespie, Robert A. Jett, James Matthew Jett, William Glenn Luckie, Samuel * McKennon, Thomas Paschal, Franklin L. Perry, Cicero Rufus Perry, William M. Ross, Shapley Prince Small, William B. Stokes, Guy S. Threadgill, Joshua Woolfolk, Robert Shapley * Enrolled February 20, 1843. Source: Texas State Archives. 119 "Active, Vigilant and Efficient" Gillespie. Tejano Manuel Eschalara is shown on his rolls as the company's guide. Shapley Prince Ross (later a ranger commander and Indian agent) and his 25-year-old nephew Robert Shapley Woolfolk were also new enrollees into the Hays company.5      Frontier Depredations of 1843 Sam Houston's continuing efforts to negotiate peace between the Texas settlers and the Native Americans did not prevent random acts of violence and retaliation between the two groups. In the vicinity of Austin, the Comanches and their associated bands made at least several attacks on isolated groups of settlers. The first recorded depredation of 1843 occurred on January 2, 1843, about 2 miles south of Austin. William Bell and Alexander Coleman had accompanied Mrs. William M. Thompson from her residence in town to the farm of James Smith, promising to return for her in the late...

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