Rangers and Sovereignty. Daniel W. Roberts
set out in this writing to record the work of Company ''D", Frontier Battalion, not for any selfish consideration. But, being almost importuned by our real friends to do so, we thought we could tell what we really know to be true in a way that might spin out a thread strong enough to bind together an intelligent idea of the needs of that service, how the service was performed, and at least a vision of the final disposition of the horrid Indian question. Our egotism doesn't lead us to say that Texas did it all; but our little part is richly treasured in the archives of our "native heath"—Texas. Our sorrows are there, also, in many a grave not even marked by human hands to show where our brave defenders met death— yielding the last sacrifice in defense of Texas.
We challenge the world to produce a citizenship or soldiery more loyal to home and country. Our oldest citizenship were ''diamonds in the rough" and no polish has ever added to their intrinsic value. The great big warm hearts of their sons and daughters needed no psychologist to interpret their spirit growth. They were modestly, and innocently, great from birth. When "patent-leather civilization" overtook them they were ill at ease to embrace its gilded charms; but reassurance came to them in a knowledge that good society came from a good base.
We shall abstain from politics, religion or law, only to give a definition of politics, offered by a statesman, who said: "Politics is anything pertaining to law." But from this we dissent, and offer a substitute: "Politics is anything for the betterment of our institutions of government.'' Religion is the outgrowth of moral ethics, but Christianity is a different thing. Law is the executive branch of both politics and Christianity, it rather seeks shelter under Christ's precedents. Some may say that these great questions have no analogy to the subject; but a great state, trying to operate a government under their power, must have a cause and justification.
We had to meet a condition, not a law, of savage atrocity. We could not apply our law in revenge, which made our case clearly one in self defense. The State of Texas realizing this could only operate a force within state lines. The Rangers were her militia, as the name "Ranger" had no standing in law. It came to us more from tradition, when Texas was a republic, and is dear to us yet. The moral force of its meaning will never die in Texas.
Texas found that the practical acquisition of her frontier furnished an asset to the state, which vastly augmented her wealth. The live-stock industry easily copes with cotton, sugar and rice, on a basis of money value. Her fruits and cereals only supply home consumption. Her truck gardening is a big item in supplying all our early markets. And can we claim a modest little part in bringing about all this? We abide the answer from true Texans.
Organization
After the war between the states, the first Democratic Governor elected in Texas was Richard Coke. The citizens of Texas, realizing that the state was over-run with Indians and outlaws, following in the wake of war, found that the battles of its first great pioneers would have to be, in a measure, fought over again. Not for the independence of a republic, but, for the life and liberty of her people, guaranteed by the constitution, and compact of states. Consequently, in May, 1874, Governor Coke recommended to the legislature, then in session, to authorize the raising and equipping of a battalion, of six full companies of Rangers, consisting of 75 men to each company, rank and file, to be placed on the Texas frontier, extending from Jacksboro, in Jack County, to the Rio Grande River, bordering on Mexico a distance of 600 miles, on the north and west of the interior of the state.
That legislature was composed of the sterling men of the state, who didn't weigh money, with the lives of our people, and after passing the bill appropriated $75,000.00 to put the Battalion into action as quickly as possible. The six companies of the Battalion were organized and officered as follows: On the extreme east of the line was Captain John Ikard. Then, coming west, was Captain Stevens, then Captain Jeff. Malty, then Captain C. R. (Rufe Perry) commanding Company D. Then came Captain Neal Caldwell and Captain Pat Dolan on the extreme west. The respective companies were distributed approximately 100 miles apart. Our Adjutant General was Wm. Steele; our Major was John B. Jones. Our Quartermaster was Wm. M. Kenney.
Major John B. Jones was the moving spirit of the field work and directed it almost entirely himself. Major Jones was a man of great administrative and executive ability, and none of the Rangers could beat him to a real live scrap with the enemy. He was the right man in the right place. Major Jones detailed five men from each company to serve as an escort with him in traveling from one company to another, up and down the line of companies. That he endured hardships and hard fighting will be mentioned later.
After we had been in the service about five months having had some fighting in the meantime, our Quartermaster informed Governor Coke that the appropriation, $75,000.00, would not maintain the six companies for two years, or until another legislature could make further appropriation, the deficit being about one-half of the needed sum. Consequently, Governor Coke ordered a reduction of the force to 40 men to each company, rank and file, which was done immediately.
When the reduction of companies came Captain "Rufe" Perry resigned as captain of Company D, and recommended Lieutenant Dan W. Roberts to take command of the company. This was done over our First Lieutenant, W. W. Ledbetter, who was a splendid gentleman. Mr. Ledbetter feeling the sting a little quit the service.
As I have only contemplated a record of the service of Company D, frontier battalion, we hope no officer or man of the battalion will think that we are not big enough to give equal justice to all. My purpose is to give a faithful record of what I know to be true, and I can only represent Company D backed by the archives of the state.
The Deer Creek Fight
The first Indian fight in which I took part occurred in August, 1873, which was a little more than a year prior to the time the legislature passed the bill providing for the battalion of Rangers to patrol and protect the immense district which might properly be called the outposts of advanced civilization.
The battle was between a small posse of citizens of Round Mountain and a band of marauding Indians which had committed a horrible murder in that neighborhood just a few days before. This butchery was only one of the many which was being perpetrated from day to day along that long stretch of lonely, unprotected border, and afforded convincing proof that some sort of police protection was imperatively needed.
The victims of the Indians were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Phelps, who lived on their ranch near Cypress Creek some three miles to the south of Round Mountain, in Blanco County. Round Mountain was a small settlement which was only about fifty miles distant from Austin. The grave dangers and deadly perils which menaced the pioneers will be understood all the more readily when it is shown that the Indians carried on their merciless warfare of robbery, arson and murder within fifty miles of the capital of the state.
Mr. and Mrs. Phelps left their home and walked down on Cypress creek to enjoy a few hour's fishing. Mrs. White, who was Mrs. Phelps' mother, was left at home to take care of the children. A short while after Mr. and Mrs. Phelps left the house Mrs. White heard the firing of guns in the direction of the creek. She knew only too well the terrible significance of these sounds. A negro boy scared almost out of his wits, hastened to the house of the nearest neighbor and gave the alarm. The ''pony" telephone rapidly spread the report and friends hurried to the scene of the killing. The bodies of Mr. and Mrs. Phelps were found on the bank of the creek, where they had been murdered and scalped. The Indians then had a start of several hours, which was too big a lead to overcome, even if an armed posse had been ready to take the trail.
On the following Sunday several of the young men of the neighborhood gathered at the home of my father, Alexander (Buck) Roberts. Repairing to the shade of a little grove nearby, we held a council of war. The situation was too plain to admit of a misunderstanding. The issue involved a matter of life and death and we faced it fairly and squarely. The one resolution introduced and unanimously carried was that the next time the Indians came