The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 6, July 1902 - April, 1903 Page: 311

Reminiscences of Early Texans.

REMINISCENCES OF EARLY TEXANS.
A COLLECTION FROM THE AUSTIN PAPERS.
J. H. KUYKENDALL.
II.
4. Recollections of Barzillai Kuykendall.
COL. AUSTIN'S ORDER.
CAP. ABNER KUYKENDALL,
The Indians have robbed a large drove of horses from a traveller
who stopped at Ratcliff's on [the] Lavaca. They were pursued two
days by a few men and overtaken between the Colorado and Brazos
below the San Antonio road. The men in pursuit were too few to
attack, and retired without being seen. There was one American,
or a white man supposed to be an American, with the Indians, and
about fifteen Indians. It is highly important that the trail should
be followed, so as to ascertain what Indians and white man or men
have been so base [as] to commit this depredation, and punish them
and also recover the horses. A party of volunteers is ready at
Beason's to follow the robbers, and a number will go from here.
It is their wish and also mine that you should take the com-
mand, and I have sent up Mr. Miller to you for that purpose; and
I hope and expect that you will undertake the expedition if your
health will permit. I hereby authorize you in the name of the
Govt. and of the civil authority whom I have consulted, to take the
command of said party of volunteers and to pursue and kill said
robbers be them Indians or Whites and to recover the stolen horses
and do such other acts as in your judgment may be deemed neces-
sary and equitable and proper to punish the robbers and afford secu-
rity to our exposed and scattered settlements, by making a severe
and striking example which will have the effect to prevent the
repetition of similar outrages by the lawless bands who are moving
through these unsettled wilds. You will however be cautious of
offending innocent persons as you will be responsible for any wanton

311