The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 16, July 1912 - April, 1913 Page: 51
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Kentucky and the Independence of Texas
Finally, an order was issued from New Orleans on March 10,
1837, signed by A. S. Thruston, commissary general of Texas, to
the effect that recruiting service for the present was suspended;
those who had already entered for two years or during the war
and were ready to leave for Texas equipped, would be enrolled and
furnished transportation from New Orleans.' It is not surpris-
ing, in view of the conflicting rumors of a renewed invasion of
Texas which obtained currency in the United States, that volun-
teers should have continued to present themselves for enrollment
in the armies of Texas.
A word may be said about the organization of those who went
as volunteers from Kentucky and from other states.2 Most of
these belonged to the Auxiliary Volunteer Corps, those from Ken-
tucky enlisting for the more part for a period of six months,
fewer enlisting for three months, and still fewer for the duration
of the war.8 Provision was made for this body in accordance with
an ordinance passed by the Council December 5, 1835. By the
terms of this act each platoon should not contain less than twenty-
eight men, rank and file; each company was to consist of two
platoons of fifty-six men, rank and file; each battalion, five com-
panies, or two hundred and eighty men, rank and file; each regi-
ment two battalions, or five hundred and sixty men, rank and
file: each platoon might be officered by one first lieutenant, each
company by one captain, one first lieutenant and one second
lieutenant; each battalion, one major; each regiment one colonel,
'Kentucky Gazette, April 13, 1837. Cf., however, Catlett to Henderson,
May 7, 1837. Garrison, Dip. Cor. Tex., I, 217. According to Yoakum,
History of Texas, II, 209, only those volunteers would be passed by
Colonel Thruston who should furnish themselves with good arms, six
months' clothing, and two months' rations.
-Upon this subject, see Barker, "The Texan Revolutionary Army," in
THE QUARTERLY, IX, 227-261.
88See Muster Rolls for period of enlistment. The following oath was taken
by the volunteers: "Know all men by these presents that I have this
day enrolled myself in the Volunteer Auxiliary Corps for and during
the term of six months. And I d'o solemnly swear that I will bear true
allegiance to the Provisional Government of Texas or any future Gov-
ernment that may be hereafter declared and that I will serve 'her hon-
estly and faithfully against all her enemies whatsoever and observe and
obey the Governor of Texas, the orders and decrees of the President and
future authorities, and the orders -of the officers over me, according to
rules and articles for the Government of the Army of Texas. So Help
Me God." Muster Rolls, p. 115. As a rule, the volunteers hesitated to
enlist for any definite period. Cf. Yoakum, History of Texas, II, 456.
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 16, July 1912 - April, 1913, periodical, 1913; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101058/m1/57/?rotate=270: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.