Military Personnel

This is a faithful copy of the testimony given by fr. Mariano Francisco de los Dolores of the mission of San Antonio de Valero, and of fr. Benito Fernandez de Santa Ana of the mission of San Antonio y San Xavier, both in the province of Texas concerning the Apaches en los Pedernales, with the view of opening new missions farther on. This is an accurate copy as attested to by Don Joseph de Gorraez. (microfilm catalog)

Size of the detachment at Chihuahua is 189 men. Americans are being held in barracks, chain gang and Hospital. One, Carlos Kim is a friend of Nolan's and one other is being held for causes pending. (T.n.) (1975)

Document shows strength of presidios- presumably as of 1814. Lists number of personnel at the presidios as to rank and role and gives yearly expense of each presidio. (T. N.) (1975)

Gobernador Larios argues that transfer of 17 of the 60 soldiers composing Adaes presidio to Paraje of San Xavier would- 1) leave Adaes underdefended and unable to meet French threat; and 2) 17 soldiers from Adaes, 13 from Bahia presidio would be insufficient to guard San Xavier missions from Apaches. Includes lengthy discussion of deployment of Adaes troops, poor land, climate around Adaes, dependence of Adaes on foodstuffs obtained from French. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Responding to virrey's order (7/27/1747) to send 9 soldiers from San Antonio presidio, 13 soldiers from Bahia presidio to establish themselves along Rio San Xavier and protect new missions there, Capitan Orobio Bastherra points out poor state of Bahia presidial force. Notes that due to many duties, as well as needs of own families, few soldiers present at Bahia presidio itself. Proposes instead that 10 soldiers from Adaes presidio be stationed among new missions. Mentions many Apache raids on Bahia horseherd, livestock. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Appears to be identical but incomplete copy of Altamira's lengthy description of Texas- its history, state of presidios, French-Spanish relations, etc. Precised already from Nacogdoches archives- See DRSW serial 4685. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Detailed description of geography of Texas (and north America in general, from Canada to isthmus of Panama) and its history including- discussion of French colonies, French-Indian relations; location/number of troops of Texas presidios; brief description Texas found, Flora; first explorers; Frenchmen in Texas; Spanish responses to French, military activities, including founding of missions, presidios; fertility of land and possibilities of trade with Vera Cruz via Bahia del Espiritu Santo; quality of presidial soldiers; French-Spanish relations. See also DRSW serial 4633. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Ramon notes murder of Correo Gonzalez, murder of 2 of 4 soldiers guarding Espiritu Santo presidial horseherd by hostile Indians. Informs virrey he requested help from capitan Flores of San Antonio presidio, but gobernador (at Adaes presidio) refused. Ramon fears Spaniards at Espiritu Santo will be destroyed like French were. Notes lack of basic foodstuffs, arms, horses. Pleads for help from virrey, also soldiers to replace Plazas of those killed by Indians since there are no vecinos in area to be drafted. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Documents concerning proposed salary of 700 pesos for capitan Joseph Urrutia to visit Texas Indians. Virrey denies funding. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Declaraciones concerning journey of capitan Francisco Martinez, 30 specially chosen soldiers to Cadodacho Indians. (T. Sheridan) (1977)