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Letter from
Colonel John S. Ford Transcribed by Judy C. Ware 2017 On January 11, 1864, Col. Ford gave James his official orders. (Bold lettering done by author for purposes of
family history.)
 Original letter
from Ford to James Ware
Written
to Captain J. A. Ware Commanding
Forces on the Nueces San Patricio, Texas Headquarters Expeditionary Forces San Antonio January 11, 1864 Captain, The receipt of your communication of
January 6th is acknowledged.
You will take command of all the forces at or near San Patricio which
have been ordered to report to serve or which may be raised for my command, and
remain in charge of them until you are relieved by a ranking officer or by my
order. You will, as heretofore directed, muster
companies into the service in pursuance of Major General Magruder’s orders or
for the war should any such present themselves.
You will designate suitable officers to act temporarily upon your
staff. You will make a report of the kind of
arms and the number of each in your command and make a requisition for the
orders and ammunition necessary for them.
You will also make a requisition for stake rope for your command -
allowing thirty six feet to the command.
You will endeavor the necessary transportation and, should you be unable
to obtain it otherwise, you will impress it in pursuance of Maj. General
Magruder’s instructions. You will
explain to the people the great public necessity requiring them to aid their
country in the arduous struggle for liberty, that should they withhold
assistance and cause the expedition to fail they will but reserve their wagons
and teams and other property for the countless invading who have come to rob
and enslave us - that the man who refuses to lend his services or the use of
his property to the South in this perilous crisis cannot be a friend to our
cause. You will appeal to the
patriotism, the generosity, and the gallantry of the people. I shall ask Maj. General Magruder for your
company and that of Lieutenant Bass. You will order Captain Rabb and Captain
Dotey and other officers with their commands to report to you for duty. In short, I expect and authorize you to do
all I could or would do if I were on the ground. Captain Cater’s company will make a
forward movement during the present week - Captain Littleton’s also. Captain Giddings will follow within a few
days. I shall leave for Fort Merrill at
the earliest possible day. Lieutenant
Colonel Dickinson will accompany me. He
desires to be presented in the kindliest manner to yourself, Captain
Richardson, and Captain King. Keep me
advised of everything by couriers. Tell Richardson, King, Rabb,
O’Callaghan, and all my old friends to put their shoulders to the wheel - to
work with body, mind, and soul for their homes, their protection of their
families against insult and outrage, and for the consecrated rights of free
men, and for a cause that is holy. I am very truly Your obedient servant, John S. Ford Colonel Commanding |
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