.MTAzMw.NjkxODQ

98 470. "Telegram". ANDREWS. [left margin] June 30. 1874. Colonel Geo. L. Andrews, U.S.A. Fitzhugh House Austin, Texas.

                             Detailed on Lieutenant Hoffman's Court.

Order by mail.

                                                                                         {Sgd)  J. H. Taylor
                                                                                                    A. A. G.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 482. MO. MIL. DIV. [left margin] July 6. 1874. Asst. Adjutant General, Hdqrs. Mil. Division of the Missouri, Chicago, Ills. Sir:

                 I have the honor to enclose you, for the information of the Lieutenant General, a copy of a letter from the Commdg. Officer Fort Brown, Texas, forwarding one (copy enclosed) from Colonel Haynes, the U. S. Collector of Customs at Brownsville, Texas, alleging that Captain Benavides, Commanding a Company of Texas Rangers had orders from the Governor of Texas, when in pursuit of Indians or Cattle Thieves, to cross the Rio Grande and follow them into Mexico, and expressing apprehension that the Execution of such orders would lead to serious trouble on that frontier.
                I immediately telegraphed the Governor of Texas (copy enclosed) that I had received such report, and that, if Texas troops were acting under such orders, I thought it important, I should know and that, if he saw no objection, I would respectfully inquire if such orders existed.  He replied that he would send me a copy of orders by next mail.  He did so, and copies of his reply and of the orders and instructions are Enclosed.
               It will be seen from them, that Texas troops, operating between the Nueces and Rio Grande, have such orders, and that it rests Entirely in the discretion of the Officer in Command, when occasion will justify the crossing his troops into Mexico.
               There are no Indians operating so low down on the Rio Grande.  The only depredators there are Cattle Thieves, and they unfortunately may furnish the occasion at any moment.  The result is readily foreseen.                            Very respectfully
                                                                                                                      Your obdt. servant

2552, 2555, 2594. D. T. '74. (Sgd) C. C. Augur L. S. 475. D. T. '74. Brigadier General U. S.A. ____________________________________________________________________Commanding