"Early in the fall of 1861 Colonel M. F. Locke, by a special order of Governor Francis Richard Lubbock. organized a regi ment of the Tenth Texas Cavalry composed of units from Northeast Texas. Recruiting volunteers at Goose Lake in Van Zandt County-also known as Camp Locke-he drafted Anderson Whetstone and most of his company from the Twelfth Division. After ironically certifying them as the "Van Zandt County Warriors", he discovered that only thirteen of the ninety-six soldiers owned weapons! At the same time he allowed three local citizens to join the Wood County Company of John W. Wilson. So by October 1, 1861 he had consolidated his regiment into nine companies representing Wood. Upshur, Panola, Rusk, Van Zandt, Cherokee and Smith counties."

"Throughout the Civil War the "Warriors" fought many campaigns. While preparing for winter quarters in Upshur County. they received marching orders to Pocahontas, Arkansas, on February 12. 1862. Even though anxious to patrol the Texas Gulf Coast. they contracted measles on March 15 -at the rate of thirty per day- and therefore had to remain at Jackson Port, Arkansas. Upon recovery they traveled east of the Mississippi River as a dismounted regiment under Colonel C. R. Earp. In December, 1862, again commanded by Locke, they captured Illinois troop flags in the Stone River, Tennessee Campaign. One month later they battled "reckless of hazard or consequence" to acquire other federal banners. several of them earning medals in the process. Then during the last years of the war they met Union soldiers at Chickamauga, Georgia, and fought alongside the armies of Mississippi and Tennessee."

"Since most volunteers reported for training with few clothes and fewer weapons, county commissioners provided for some material needs. On June 20, 1861, they offered $200 to repay personal expenses of the "Volunteers" and permitted William M. Damson, J. B. Hubbard, and James M. Harrison to subscribe collections of money and provisions for local soldiers. In September they again authorized $200 for "fitting out" the Van Zandt County Warriors with tents and camping equipment. Likewise they appropriated $200 to purchase clothing for Green's and Whetstone's companies. Several months later they also extended the grant to other detachments who were unable to clothe themselves satisfactorily."

"Despite such aid from county officials most soliders still suffered extreme discomfort and deprivation, at times even becoming destitute. During the 1862 campaign in Arkansas some became quite ill and did not recover completely even after a year. After all, the weather was often "inclement and disagreable," food scanty, and equipment inadequate. At times they slept without a fire to prevent detection by the enemy or worse yet, remained awake two consecutive nights before a decisive battle. Deprived of many necessities, they dismissed their slaves and began performing the daily chores. Eventually they blamed these conditions on officers whom they branded as "damnable pop squirts and coxcombs"."

J.S.J. "Johnson" WHETSTONE, 10th Texas Cavalry, 1st Lt., Co. H

Perry G. WHETSTONE, 18th Infantry, Captain, Co. I

Warrick WHETSTONE

Calvin Wade JONES, Beat No. 8, 14th Brigade, 2nd Sgt., Served under Capt. James M. Huey

Silas JONES

Lewis Tom Clemmons, PVT., Co. E, 32nd TN. Infantry C.S.A.

It is my bet that we have others in some of the other branches as well, but so far, these are the only ones I've been able to confirm.

This I found very interesting! We know that Peter and family remained in Texas and did some upstanding things for the community of Marshall and Harrison County.

To the illustrious ayuntamiento of the the Municipality of Austin. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the official communication, made to me by that corporation, dated yesterday, and a copy of the resolutions, adopted on the 2nd inst. relative to the removal from this colony of certain persons therein named, of notorious-infamous character; and recommending a rigid scrutiny as to the conduct of certain others, before they are received as settlers. The 5th article of my contract with the government for the settlement of this colony, is in these words, "It shall be an obligation upon him (Austin,) not to admit criminals, vagabonds, or men of bad character, and be shall cause all those of this description who are found within his limits to leave it, and should it be necessary, he shall put them out bv force of arms." The 122d article of law No. 37, prescribing duties of the Ayuntamientos, says: "They shall not permit in their jurisdictions, vagabonds, drunkards, gamblers by profession, nor any other idle or vicious people who have no visible means of subsistence, etc. etc." The above mentioned 5th article of my contract has imposed a very heavy and responsible obligation upon me, and one which from its nature, might necessarily involve much delicacy and ought to require great prudence in its execution. This has never been more particularly the case, than at present, for heretofore the expulsions of bad men ordered by me, have been made, solely on my own individual responsibility, without the powerful support of a special recommendation to do so, from municipal representatives of the people. The situation of this country on the borders of a foreign nation certainly exposes it to impositions by criminal fugitives and vagabonds, who are nuisances in all countries, but more especially so in a new and thinly settled one like this. The first settlers who have devoted years, of hardship to bring it forward, justly deserve and have a right to expect protection from such nuisances. The Government has offered the most liberal inducements to honest emigrants, but nothing to fugitives or vagabonds, and it expects and commands that no Stich shall be admitted. It is therefore due to the people who are permanently settled-to the law-and to the government, that the 5th article of my contract, and the 122nd article of law No. 37 which I have quoted, should be rigidly executed; always, however keeping in view what is due to justice and to humanity. The measures which I have heretofore deenied it my duty to adopt on this subject, have been promptly executed by the militia officers charged therewith, arid they have been sustained by public opinion, which in this colony has always been on the side of good order, and opposed to the admission of bad men. But notwithstanding this, it is with great satisfaction, that I find the Ayuntamiento co-operating by the weight of its authority and influence, in a measure which might be construed by the designing, or the everscrupulous, into an act of oppression, or as being too strong for mistaken ideas of liberty. I have therefore to assure that corporation, that the removal of Peter Whetstone, Trammel Pryor, John or Jack House, and Brooks Williams, which is recommended by it, shall be immediately ordered; and that the course will be adopted which is indicated, with respect to the other individuals named in said resolutions. I embrace this opportunity to present to that illustrious corporation the assurances of my consideration and respect; and of my hearty co-operation in all measures which are calculated to promote the public good, and to inforce the laws. San Felipe de Austin, Nov. 5th 1830. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN.