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61 Parker’s Rangers Form Second Company During early December, the new ranging corps under Major Willie Williamson was still in the early stages of organizing. There were only two companies of the previously approved regional rangers in the field, those of captains Daniel Friar and Eli Hillhouse. The company of Hillhouse continued to operate from Fort Sterling and add new recruits during the month under the superintendence of Silas Parker. Parker had been authorized by the Council to add an additional ten-man company under his charge, but this group would not be assembled before year’s end. Silas Parker wrote from Fort Sterling on December 17, 1835 to the General Council in San Felipe, informing them of the latest efforts of his rangers. Through much difficulty, I have engaged about thirty of the rangers under my superintendence. Several of them have lost their horses and the horses continue dying, so that it is extremely difficult to keep horses for them. I find it very difficult to procure provisions. Indeed, I cannot engage any beef or pork for them though store is plenty in the country . Such is the indifference of the people as to the cause of Texas. I have no other chance but to go to those that has cattle to spare and have them valued myself; and the people of my vicinity has turned out all the beef that we had—the amount of which I shall make out in my next. I have drawn about 100 Lbs. Lead & 1 1/2 Keg. of powder from Mr. Lott. The Indians has committed no depredations since my last. The boys are zealously engaged and I hope their labors will be of the most vital importance to those fe[ar]less adventurers that has reclaimed this fertile country from savage haunts.1 Chapter 4 “Loathsome Trophy” December 11, 1835 - February 23, 1836 62 SAV AGE FRONTIER Parker also pointed out that establishing a mail route from Viesca to Washington would be beneficial, as the cost for him to send expresses had become considerable. “It would afford us a great satisfaction to have the public news at any rate conveyed to our seat of justice,” he wrote. Parker also noted that he had furnished all supplies to his company thus far and would send a full account of all his expenditures with his next communication. Parker’s note was read before the Council on December 19. The Council’s Committee on Military Affairs also decided that the rangers did not need a separate surgeon to be furnished, as had been proposed. Should these frontier companies be called to act with the regular army, “they will be entitled to the services of the surgeon of the regiment to which they are attached.”2 Securing provisions for these companies out on the extreme Texas frontiers was not simple. Parker furnished much of the provisions for his men. He furnished a hog, valued at five dollars by rangers Elisha Anglin and Samuel Frost, to Hillhouse’s company on October 30. Between October 30 and December 15, he furnished fourteen bushels of corn totaling fifty-six dollars and twenty-five dollars worth of fresh beef, salt and salted pork to his rangers.3 For more complete provisioning, Silas Parker was forced to send his brother Joe Parker 170 miles to San Felipe with his wagon and horse team. Joe Parker wrote that, On the 18th of December I was dispatched for services at Mr. Tinnons on the San Antonio Road by Silas M. Parker and Captain Hillhouse for the purpose of coming to San Felipe with the charge of wagon and team to lay in necessaries for the company.4 Parker’s audited claims show an order signed by Silas Parker dated December 18, 1835 at Fort Sterling that appointed, “Joseph A. Parker my agent to contract for all necessary provisions for the rangers under my superintendence.” All contracts and orders would be accepted by Silas, and Joe was to convey the provisions to Fort Sterling. Another audited paper shows that Joe Parker was given temporary leave from Captain Hillhouse’s company to fulfill these orders.5 Joe Parker set out from Tinnons’ place down the San Antonio Road for San Felipe, covering expenses for food and forage for his horse and for the wagon team out of his own pocket. On December 21, he secured five bushels of corn at two dollars per 63 “Loathsome Trophy” bushel and twenty-five pounds of pork at four...

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