The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 66, July 1962 - April, 1963 Page: 348

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

But this astonishment yields when the mists of error are dis-
pelled by the light of truth. It was ascertained beyond question
that this insignificant band was in full fellowship with a like
combination in the Federal army of the West, and linked with
every hostile tribe of Indians then in arms against the South, and
especially against Texas.
It is useless to attempt to vindicate their extraordinary con-
duct upon any other hypothesis than a direct assurance of timely
aid from other sources. Strange as their conduct may seem,
stranger things have occurred in our own country, and for the
accomplishment of similar purposes.
Who, with a properly [sic] and well-balanced mind, endowed
with reason and intelligence could have been induced to believe
that old John Brown, the martyr, with but a squad of followers
would have marched into the very heart of the Old Dominion, in
time of peace and public tranquility, with fire and sword, slay-
ing, burning and destroying whatever fell in his path? ... [The
writer here goes into an extensive discussion of John Brown's
capture of Harper's Ferry, concluding:] Nobly did the Old
Dominion meet the danger and vindicate the majesty of her laws
and the liberty of her people by a practical application of her
motto, "Sic Semper Tyrrannis."
So, in this instance in 'Texas, the promised and anticipated relief
was not forthcoming in the hour of peril, and hence those who
meditated the ruin and destruction of the fairest portion of this
great state fell victims to their own criminal folly.
This organization was in league also with the nine tribes of
Reserve Indians, except the Tonkawas; to wit, the Keechi's, Ioni's,
Waco's, Wichita's, Caddo's, Towokona's, Anodarco's, and Co-
manche: The organization was also in communication with the
hostile tribes of Shawnee's, Delaware's, and Kickapoo's; and, also,
the disaffected portion of the Cherokee's, Creeks, Seminole's and
other tribes. It was not originally understood by the members of
the order that they were to cooperate with the Indians. The "In-
stitution" was more intimately connected with the northern Army,
in which they claimed many members, principally those who had
fled and escaped public justice in Texas.
The fact that such an organization existed and it's designs were,

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