XVI Texas and Independence 1831-1836
James Bowie, David Crockett and Sam Houston were entertained at Fort Jesup by Colonel Many while en-route to cast their lot with the Texans. To greet these men in Nacogdoches were Thomas J. Busk, Frost Thorn, Adolphus Sterne, Charles S. Taylor, Henry Raguet, Doctor Irion, John Drust and William C. Logan, all of whom were to have a hand in winning the Texas independence.
The municipality of San Augustine was organized in 1833, and was the first town in Texas to be laid out on the American plan of forty-eight blocks, consisting of three hundred fifty-six feet with streets forty feet wide, and two lots in the center for the Courthouse.
The history of San Augustine dates back to the very earliest Texas history, with its location astraddle the El Camino Real, previously the Buffalo Trail and then part of the Caddo Indian trail system. Cabeza de Vaca passed this spot and later a scouting party of the Hernando de Soto expedition. The Ais (Ayist) Indians were there to greet the Domingo Teran Del Rios Expedition and then the Domingo Ramone Expedition. The Ais Indians of San Augustine were the first Texas Indians to establish trade agreements with the French, when in 1708 the Frenchman, Bejoux, began trading with them for horses.
San Augustine became a most important port of entry, second only to Galveston. It may very well be called the Cradle of Texas Independence for it is said that any man entering San Augustine, be he French, Spanish or American, became a Texan. Ninety percent of the men who engaged in the strife for Texas independence had walked the streets of San Augustine.
This interpretation of how Fort St. Jean Baptiste looked was drawn by the architects, Butler and Dobson of Natchitoches, for the Committee for the Restoration of Colonial Natchitoches, Inc.
It is my sincere hope that this restoration will be executed by the year 1964 when Natchitoches will in that year celebrate her 250th anniversary.
To the Frenchmen of that period, the title, Fort St. Jean Baptiste des Natchitoches, meant that the Fort or Post was named for St. John The Baptist and that its location was among the Natchitoches Indians.
It was this Fort which St. Denis defended against the Natchez Indians in 1731.
The progress of the struggle for Texas independence was watched with keenest interest throughout the United States, but the interest south of the Mason-Dixon line was greater as most of the Texas settlers came from the Southern states.
Louis Cass, the Secretary of War, on January 23, 1835, sent instructions to Major General Edmund P. Gaines, ordering him to move to a position nearer the western frontier of Louisiana, and to assume personal command of the troops near the Mexican (Texas) border. Blockhouses were erected to protect the supplies of the personnel of the camp. General Gaines took personal command of the troops there.
The Red River by the year 1835 had changed its course and taken the Bayou Rigolet de Bon Dieux as its main channel, leaving Natchitoches high and dry except during the spring and winter months. The river port of Grand Ecore then became the most important shipping port for the southwestern area of Louisiana and eastern Texas. The Texas trail now by-passed Natchitoches some four miles to the west, connecting it with Grand Ecore.
General Gaines wrote of the decaying condition of the buildings at Fort Jesup, and acquired a twenty-five thousand dollar appropriation for their repair through the help of Thomas S. Jesup, Quartermaster General of the United States, who had been given the honor of having Fort Jesup named after him.
General Gaines possessed a war-like nature and he nourished the idea of annexing Texas in one blaze of glory for himself. Further, he knew that President Andrew Jackson wanted Texas as a part of the United States.
Gaines, in a letter to Cass, stated that B. F. Palmer and William Palmer, living near Fort Jesup, had informed him that a Spaniard had arrived at the house of one of their neighbors, saying he had been commissioned by Santa Anna to go among the Caddos and other upper Red River tribes of Indians and stir them up into attacking the upper settlements of Texas. Gaines had sent Lieutenant Bonnel with Eusebia Cartinez, to gain the good will of the Caddos without success. But they were successful among the Indians further to the west of the Caddos. They learned that Manuel Flores, who had established at Spanish-Town between Fort Jesup and Natchitoches, won alliances with the Caddos.
Enclosed in the letter were communications from Henry Raguet, Chairman of the Committee of Vigilance at Nacogdoches and A. Hotchkiss, Chairman of a similar committee at San Augustine, both declaring that Indians had moved into the area along El Camino Real and requesting an investigation.
Cass was informed that the Alamo had fallen and many of the troops, including Fannin, were killed near Goliad on the Madina River and that Sam Houston was in full retreat toward the Louisiana border.
Gaines now received orders to use his own judgment about the affairs on the frontier, and that if he had to go into the Texas territory to insure the peace of the frontier, he could go no further than Nacogdoches.
Gaines was still at Sabine Blockhouse when word came that on April 18, 1836, Sam Houston had defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto Bay. Thus Gaines’ chance for glory was gone. However, he must be credited with a timely move, when a few weeks before he had ordered troops to Nacogdoches, thus spoiling the counterpunch attempted by Santa Anna to stir up the Indians. This, without a doubt, quelled the prospective uprising of the Indians.
Treaty With the Caddo Indians
In June, 1835, Colonel Many sent a contingent of soldiers to the upper Red River country to lend assistance in the signing and execution of the treaty between the United States and the Caddo Indians. At the Caddo Indian Agency house, located on a bluff overlooking Bayou Pierre, nine miles south of the present-day city of Shreveport, was drawn an agreement with the Indians, dated July 1, 1835:
The Chiefs, Headmen and Warriors of the tribes of the Caddo Nation of Indians, agree to cede and relinquish to the United States all land contained in the following boundaries: Bounded on the west by the North-south line which separates Louisiana and the United States from the Republic of Mexico and on the west by the Red River in the Territory of Louisiana and Arkansas.
The Chiefs, Headmen and Warriors agree to relinquish their possession of the land and agree to move out of the boundaries of the United States at their own expense, and never to return to live, settle, or establish themselves as a nation or a community.
In consideration the Caddo Nation will be paid $30,000 in goods and horses as agreed upon and $10,000 to be paid per annum in money, each year, for the four years following. Making a whole sum of $80,000, paid and payable.
In Testimony Whereof, the said Jehiel Brooks, Commissioner, the Chiefs, Headmen and Warriors of the Caddo Nation, have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals.
Signed: Jehiel Brooks
| Tarshar | His X Mark |
| Tasauninot | His X Mark |
| Saliownhown | His X Mark |
| Tennehinun | His X Mark |
| Oat | His X Mark |
| Tinnowin | His X Mark |
| Chowabah | His X Mark |
| Kianhoon | His X Mark |
| Tialesun | His X Mark |
| Tehowawinow | His X Mark |
| Tewinnun | His X Mark |
| Kardy | His X Mark |
| Tiohtow | His X Mark |
| Tehowahinno | His X Mark |
| Tooeksoach | His X Mark |
| Tehowainia | His X Mark |
| Sauninow | His X Mark |
| Saunivaot | His X Mark |
| Highahidock | His X Mark |
| Mattan | His X Mark |
| Towabimneh | His X Mark |
| Aach | His X Mark |
| Sookiantow | His X Mark |
| Sohone | His X Mark |
| Ossinse | His X Mark |
In the Presence of:
Thomas J. Harrison, Capt, 3rd Regt Inf.
Commander of Detachment from Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
J. Bonnell, 1st Lieut, 3rd Regt Inf.,
Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
G. P. Frile, 2nd Lieut, 3rd Regt Inf.,
Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
D. M. Heard, M. D., Acting Assistant Surgeon,
U. S. A., Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
Isaac C. Williamson, Citizen.
Henry Queen, Citizen.
John P. Edwards, Interpreter.
Other Recommendations:
Articles supplementary to Treaty, whereas: The said Indian Nation gave to Francois Grappe and his three (3) sons, then born and still living named, Jacques, Dominique and Balthazar, in the year 1801, one league of land to each, according to the Spanish custom. This being a total of four square leagues of land.
Larken Edwards, being old and unable to work and having been a steadfast friend of the Caddo Indians, was also given at the request of the Indians, land which now comprises most of the area of present day Shreveport, Louisiana.
On May 14, 1837, the following ad appeared in the Red River Gazette, a Natchitoches newspaper:
A. W. P. Ussery has the pleasure to inform friends and the public that he has taken the Fort Jesup Hotel and is now ready for company. He has a commodious house and stable and a delightful situation. In addition to the comforts of the well regulated house, the weary traveler will be regaled at night and morning by the delightful music of the Fort Jesup Band.
With the ability of Texas to maintain her independence, Fort Jesup settled down to the humdrum existence of a peaceful, frontier post. In the summer of 1838 the garrison was reduced to two companies of men and officers. In 1840 the third infantry members at Fort Jesup were ordered to Florida. This left one company of fourth infantry at Fort Jesup.
Texas threw open its doors to immigrants and daily these passed through the Fort Jesup area, to travel El Camino Real westward. Many, however, stopped in the Natchitoches-Sabine country. Texans knew that immigrants represented power, power to resist Mexico.
This peaceful existence was not to last long. There was talk of the annexation of Texas by the United States which Mexico did not want. For as long as Texas was a Republic there was a possibility that Mexico might recover this prize possession, a possession which also included the present states of New Mexico and a part of Wyoming.
As early as 1843 the United States was contemplating acquiring Texas as a state. In the meantime they had purchased the territory of New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and Wyoming from Texas which did not set well with the Republic of Mexico. There was a kind of cold friendship existing between the United States and Mexico.
Late in 1843 General Zachary Taylor was ordered to the Texas-Louisiana frontier, thus early in 1844 there came to Fort Jesup the Army of Observation.
Camp Salubrity was established three miles west of Grand Ecore on the Texas Road May 18, 1844, where the fourth infantry companies were encamped. One of the young officers was Lieutenant U. S. Grant.
On May 18, 1845, General Taylor at Fort Jesup received a letter marked “Confidential” from Secretary of War, Marcey. This secretly and officially marked the beginning of the disposition of troops and the laying of plans for the war with Mexico. Marcey wrote, “I am directed by the President to cause forces now under your command and those which may be assigned, to be put into position where they may most promptly act in the defense of Texas.”
At Fort Jesup under the command of General Taylor were seven companies of the Second Dragoons and eight companies of the Fourth Infantry. Four companies of the Fourth Infantry were stationed at Camp Salubrity.
Texas expressed a desire at the July 1845 session of the Texas Congress to become a State of the Union.
General Taylor at Fort Jesup received instructions to place the Troops under his command in the Army of Observation in such locations that would be most advantageous to render support to Texas if such an occasion should arise.
The Mexican conflict seemed inevitable and Taylor ordered Camp Salubrity abandoned and the Companies of Infantry there boarded steamboats at Grand Ecore for New Orleans along with three companies of the four companies of the 4th infantry which were stationed at Fort Jesup.
This July 1845 Report from Fort Jesup explains the removal of the Troops from Fort Jesup and those who remained:
July 17, 1845, The 3rd Infantry under the command of Lt. Col. Hitchcock left this post for the point of embarkation for New Orleans.
July 25, 1845, The 2nd Dragoons under the command of Colonel Twiggs left this post for Texas Via the Texas Trail. On this day Lt. Zill P. Inge assumes command at Fort Jesup.
There remains at this Post, and all present accounted for the following: One Company of the 4th infantry and one company of the 2nd Dragoons. The names of these men appear on the July 31, 1845, Daily Report.
Conally Triche. George S. Darte. Quims Tomas. James Huntly. William Story. James Welsh. Francis Shaw. Samuel Tacker. George Waggoner. Andrew Munscle. John A. Goddard. Benjiman Peterson. David S. Barslette. John McDormott. Joseph McGee. Richard Goldring. Samuel H. Jordan. James Conway. Ferdinand Turkels. Thurman Patterson. Michael Sheridan. William H. McDonnald. Isaac Curry. John L. Creps. John B. Hickey. John Murphy. Paul Spencer. Hugh McHugh. John R. Bloomer. William Horton. Cazimiery Rosinowski. George Cassody. Ames W. Grimes. Reubin W Brenner. William Hearne. John B Rezzer. Alexinder Silves. James Sheene. Charles W Williams. John Adams. William Bayer. James Heath. Michael O’Keefe. William R Smith. John Mitchele. John W. Conway. William Stansbury. Jeremiach O’Leary. William Bailey. James Long. Edward Harrington. Patrick Connally. Thomas Kelley. Peter Savage. William Ashton. Stephen Turner. Joseph A Jinkins. Patrick Maloney. George Holmes. Louis H Tucker. John Hamilton. James Horton. James Foley. Horice Clark. William Howe. Isaac Trotter. William McGill. Berman Wellenbrook. William Taylor. Edward Melton. Gregory Bishop. John Goodele. Robinson McClellan. Michale Ryan. Archibald Turner. Samuel Turner. John Freeman. George Hendricks. Hamilton Taylor. James Doughtry. Asa Freleigh. William Pully. Francis Gillam. William R Keeper. Henry Burrows. Joseph R Steward. John Dorian. Frederick Leach. William Turner. Alexander Cody. William A Burks. John Hunter. Phillip Hoffman. Richard A Banks. Patrick Bigland. Charles W Livingston.
These men comprise the 1st Company of the 2nd Dragoons and One half Company of the 3rd Inf. and one half Company of the 4th infantry. Most of them were sick at the time of the dispersement of the troops at Fort Jesup.
Signed: 1st Lt Zill P Inge 1st Co 2nd Dragoons. Fort Jesup, La.
July 31 1845.
On November 29, 1845, the Adjutant General ordered that Fort Jesup was no longer required as a military post, all military supplies, buildings and land be disposed of.
Thus Zachary Taylor when a Lt. Col. executed the order to establish Fort Jesup and 23 years later as a Brigadier General executed the order to abandon it.
Ironic as it may seem, Fort Jesup brought law to a lawless land. It was a buffer zone through which passed softly, those intent on a new kind of freedom. It was the mould which shaped the southwestern section of these United States.
If one must in a few words offer a summation of all that has passed before.... Then.
This tiny spot, in Louisiana’s vast domain,
High on a hill-top, a memory to remain.
Redbuds and Dogwood, bring spring’s tender smile,
To a land so fertile, it rivals that of the Nile.
Yonder, the Red’s mighty currents roll.
Gleaming, sparkling, rivaling Hidalgo’s Gold.
In a grove, where the stately Pine trees tower,
Blending with the Oak, the Ash and wild Flower,
Quickly, their lips meet and arms entwine,
Secluded they are, by the Rattan-vine,
This love doesn’t any boundary know.
The Savage speaks, ’tis time to go.
They match wits, the Hidalgo and the Fleur de Lys.
Fiesta and Fandangero, invited, they all come to see.
This Wilderness Road, which both Friend and Enemy Travel
This intricate-mess, shall two men unravel
From Crescent-City to Natchitoches and on to Mexico,
Past Los Adais and Presidios, must Saint and Sinner go.
This Land—’tis Mine, ’tis Yours, ’tis Mine.
To the Stars and Stripes the Savage states, ’twas Mine.
To his God, Ayandt Daddi, in a blanketed-blue sky,
He looks and he questions, “Whither goest I?”
To his people, his eyes reflect his fears,
Caddo generosity paid, with “A Trail of Tears.”