Alan Pitts,
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Quote: Since these are not Confederate troops, your best source will be the Texas State Archives.
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I am quite disheartened that you did not mention me, nor my 1,046-page book that is 70% from handwritten records, as a go-to source for the study of Texas State Troops of North Texas. ..The now 34 North Texas counties that I address are listed on my web page.
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http://www.bourlandcivilwar.com/SevenMilitiaBrigades.htm
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Let’s be realistic. Of the 400 militia listings mentioned in the following OFFICIAL RECORD August 1861 reference, I have about 200 militias listed with specific data about many of the soldiers in my 146-page Name Index. ..These handwritten records are laden with misspellings and hard-to-read initials that I have spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours interpreting.
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By August 28, 1861 there had been about 400 militia groups organized in Texas. ..per DeBray to Walker (ORsIvIV[S#4]ch11p99). ..I must quickly add that I have another about 45 militias that were raised after September 1861 since in June 1861 the militia members were released from active duty — most had enlisted in various Texas regular Confederate-friendly units. ..The scope of my book is defined by THE BOURLAND PAPERS.
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The history of North Texas will not be written until these records are written en masse, interpreted, and indexed. ..And yes, that means identifying one rank-and-file soldier at a time.
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McCulloch explained in the Mar 13, 1864 letter (see 2d paragraph below) that he had only Texas State Troops. ..It seems that the study of Texas State Troops takes a back seat to the study of the Confederacy in Texas.
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From my book:
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1864 Fannin Co TX, Bonham, Mar 13.....GENERAL [J.E. Slaughter, Chief of Staff, Houston, Texas]:

Brig-Gen. J.W. Throckmorton of the State troops called on me on yesterday and informed me that the Governor desired me to inform Gen. [J.B.] Magruder what I thought of the necessity of retaining the State troops of this section of country on this border. This it is scarcely necessary to do, as I have so often insisted upon having more troops here than I have hitherto been allowed, and the coming spring brings with it its prospects of either invasion or raids by the Federals, aided by a strong party at home, who can only be kept quiet by having a considerable force here, and with a force here to hold these fellows in strict subjection we may not have either a raid or invasion by the enemy.

McCulloch had only Texas State Troops

I have no infantry but the State troops, and there are some few places in the district at which one company should be stationed as a post guard. It would be best, probably, for this to be done by cavalry at most places, as they could answer two purposes, that of scouts to arrest deserters, skulkers, &c., and that of post guard also; but at this post I am necessarily compelled to have a pretty strong infantry force, as all the prisoners are brought here [Bonham] to be disposed of and the public property here is constantly in danger of being destroyed by the friends of those whom I have confined or have sent off under guard, and occasionally in irons. There is a species of robbery and stealing going on in this section that can only be prevented by the greatest vigilance. It is evident to my mind that these outrages are committed chiefly by men from the Indian Territory, some of which belong to commands in our [Confederate] army.

Preoccupied guarding prisoners instead of defense

The river is so low that they can cross it any place on horseback, and it will take a strong cavalry force to guard the Red River line to keep out these villains or punish them when they come in. And, again, we need a considerable cavalry force to guard prisoners from this to their places of destination, or to arrest deserters, &c., over the distance. As these are about all the troops I will have except Col. Bourland's frontier force, it seems to me that not one single company should be taken away from me. The entire brigade will be assembled by Gen. Throckmorton within 18 or 20 miles of this place [Bonham] about the 20th or 23nd, and I would be glad to get the General's [J.B. Magruder’s] reply by that time, in order that I may dispose of them properly here or send them to him at once. I do not see that I will be able to arm more than 300 or 400 of them, and with inferior arms at that, as the first 300 guns lately received were inferior and the last 200 (when I was promised 300) turned out to be British muskets, when I was promised Enfield rifles and percussion rifles. The Texas rifles on hand are worthless and are not worthy to be called a gun. It would be gratifying to me to be allowed to keep these troops and to have at least 500 more good guns sent to me.

Please answer as early as possible.

I am, general, most respectfully, your obedient servant,

H.E. McCulloch, Brig-Gen., Comdg. Northern Sub-Dist, Hdqts. Northern Sub-Dist. per ORsIv53[S#111]p971.
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Patti, prochette@Juno.com
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