Tarshar His X Mark
Tasauninot His X Mark
Saliownhown His X Mark
Tennehinun His X Mark
Oat His X Mark
Tinnowin His X Mark
Chowabah His X Mark
Kianhoon His X Mark
Tialesun His X Mark
Tehowawinow His X Mark
Tewinnun His X Mark
Kardy His X Mark
Tiohtow His X Mark
Tehowahinno His X Mark
Tooeksoach His X Mark
Tehowainia His X Mark
Sauninow His X Mark
Saunivaot His X Mark
Highahidock His X Mark
Mattan His X Mark
Towabimneh His X Mark
Aach His X Mark
Sookiantow His X Mark
Sohone His X Mark
Ossinse His X Mark
In the Presence of:
Thomas J. Harrison, Capt, 3rd Regt Inf.
Commander of Detachment from Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
J. Bonnell, 1st Lieut, 3rd Regt Inf.,
Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
G. P. Frile, 2nd Lieut, 3rd Regt Inf.,
Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
D. M. Heard, M. D., Acting Assistant Surgeon,
U. S. A., Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
Isaac C. Williamson, Citizen.
Henry Queen, Citizen.
John P. Edwards, Interpreter.
Other Recommendations:
Articles supplementary to Treaty, whereas: The said Indian Nation gave
to Francois Grappe and his three (3) sons, then born and still living
named, Jacques, Dominique and Balthazar, in the year 1801, one league of
land to each, according to the Spanish custom. This being a total of
four square leagues of land.
Larken Edwards, being old and unable to work and having been a steadfast
friend of the Caddo Indians, was also given at the request of the
Indians, land which now comprises most of the area of present day
Shreveport, Louisiana.
On May 14, 1837, the following ad appeared in the Red River Gazette, a
Natchitoches newspaper:
A. W. P. Ussery has the pleasure to inform friends and the public that
he has taken the Fort Jesup Hotel and is now ready for company. He has
a commodious house and stable and a delightful situation. In addition
to the comforts of the well regulated house, the weary traveler will
be regaled at night and morning by the delightful music of the Fort
Jesup Band.
With the ability of Texas to maintain her independence, Fort Jesup
settled down to the humdrum existence of a peaceful, frontier post. In
the summer of 1838 the garrison was reduced to two companies of men and
officers. In 1840 the third infantry members at Fort Jesup were ordered
to Florida. This left one company of fourth infantry at Fort Jesup.
Texas threw open its doors to immigrants and daily these passed through
the Fort Jesup area, to travel El Camino Real westward. Many, however,
stopped in the Natchitoches-Sabine country. Texans knew that immigrants
represented power, power to resist Mexico.
This peaceful existence was not to last long. There was talk of the
annexation of Texas by the United States which Mexico did not want. For
as long as Texas was a Republic there was a possibility that Mexico
might recover this prize possession, a possession which also included
the present states of New Mexico and a part of Wyoming.
As early as 1843 the United States was contemplating acquiring Texas as
a state. In the meantime they had purchased the territory of New Mexico,
Utah, Nevada and Wyoming from Texas which did not set well with the
Republic of Mexico. There was a kind of cold friendship existing between
the United States and Mexico.
Late in 1843 General Zachary Taylor was ordered to the Texas-Louisiana
frontier, thus early in 1844 there came to Fort Jesup the Army of
Observation.
Camp Salubrity was established three miles west of Grand Ecore on the
Texas Road May 18, 1844, where the fourth infantry companies were
encamped. One of the young officers was Lieutenant U. S. Grant.
On May 18, 1845, General Taylor at Fort Jesup received a letter marked
“Confidential” from Secretary of War, Marcey. This secretly and
officially marked the beginning of the disposition of troops and the
laying of plans for the war with Mexico. Marcey wrote, “I am directed by
the President to cause forces now under your command and those which may
be assigned, to be put into position where they may most promptly act in
the defense of Texas.”
At Fort Jesup under the command of General Taylor were seven companies
of the Second Dragoons and eight companies of the Fourth Infantry. Four
companies of the Fourth Infantry were stationed at Camp Salubrity.
Texas expressed a desire at the July 1845 session of the Texas Congress
to become a State of the Union.
General Taylor at Fort Jesup received instructions to place the Troops
under his command in the Army of Observation in such locations that
would be most advantageous to render support to Texas if such an
occasion should arise.
The Mexican conflict seemed inevitable and Taylor ordered Camp Salubrity
abandoned and the Companies of Infantry there boarded steamboats at
Grand Ecore for New Orleans along with three companies of the four
companies of the 4th infantry which were stationed at Fort Jesup.
This July 1845 Report from Fort Jesup explains the removal of the Troops
from Fort Jesup and those who remained:
July 17, 1845, The 3rd Infantry under the command of Lt. Col.
Hitchcock left this post for the point of embarkation for New Orleans.
July 25, 1845, The 2nd Dragoons under the command of Colonel Twiggs
left this post for Texas Via the Texas Trail. On this day Lt. Zill P.
Inge assumes command at Fort Jesup.
There remains at this Post, and all present accounted for the
following: One Company of the 4th infantry and one company of the 2nd
Dragoons. The names of these men appear on the July 31, 1845, Daily
Report.
Conally Triche.
George S. Darte.
Quims Tomas.
James Huntly.
William Story.
James Welsh.
Francis Shaw.
Samuel Tacker.
George Waggoner.
Andrew Munscle.
John A. Goddard.
Benjiman Peterson.
David S. Barslette.
John McDormott.
Joseph McGee.
Richard Goldring.
Samuel H. Jordan.
James Conway.
Ferdinand Turkels.
Thurman Patterson.
Michael Sheridan.
William H. McDonnald.
Isaac Curry.
John L. Creps.
John B. Hickey.
John Murphy.
Paul Spencer.
Hugh McHugh.
John R. Bloomer.
William Horton.
Cazimiery Rosinowski.
George Cassody.
Ames W. Grimes.
Reubin W Brenner.
William Hearne.
John B Rezzer.
Alexinder Silves.
James Sheene.
Charles W Williams.
John Adams.
William Bayer.
James Heath.
Michael O’Keefe.
William R Smith.
John Mitchele.
John W. Conway.
William Stansbury.
Jeremiach O’Leary.
William Bailey.
James Long.
Edward Harrington.
Patrick Connally.
Thomas Kelley.
Peter Savage.
William Ashton.
Stephen Turner.
Joseph A Jinkins.
Patrick Maloney.
George Holmes.
Louis H Tucker.
John Hamilton.
James Horton.
James Foley.
Horice Clark.
William Howe.
Isaac Trotter.
William McGill.
Berman Wellenbrook.
William Taylor.
Edward Melton.
Gregory Bishop.
John Goodele.
Robinson McClellan.
Michale Ryan.
Archibald Turner.
Samuel Turner.
John Freeman.
George Hendricks.
Hamilton Taylor.
James Doughtry.
Asa Freleigh.
William Pully.
Francis Gillam.
William R Keeper.
Henry Burrows.
Joseph R Steward.
John Dorian.
Frederick Leach.
William Turner.
Alexander Cody.
William A Burks.
John Hunter.
Phillip Hoffman.
Richard A Banks.
Patrick Bigland.
Charles W Livingston.
These men comprise the 1st Company of the 2nd Dragoons and One half
Company of the 3rd Inf. and one half Company of the 4th infantry. Most
of them were sick at the time of the dispersement of the troops at Fort
Jesup.
Signed:
1st Lt Zill P Inge
1st Co 2nd Dragoons.
Fort Jesup, La.
July 31 1845.
On November 29, 1845, the Adjutant General ordered that Fort Jesup was
no longer required as a military post, all military supplies, buildings
and land be disposed of.
Thus Zachary Taylor when a Lt. Col. executed the order to establish Fort
Jesup and 23 years later as a Brigadier General executed the order to
abandon it.
Ironic as it may seem, Fort Jesup brought law to a lawless land. It was
a buffer zone through which passed softly, those intent on a new kind of
freedom. It was the mould which shaped the southwestern section of these
United States.
[Illustration: Old Ambroise Sompayrac House
Natchitoches chief depot for trade with Mexico, early 1800’s
Washington St. at Pavie on River ... demolished in 1900.]
If one must in a few words offer a summation of all that has passed
before.... Then.
This tiny spot, in Louisiana’s vast domain,
High on a hill-top, a memory to remain.
Redbuds and Dogwood, bring spring’s tender smile,
To a land so fertile, it rivals that of the Nile.
Yonder, the Red’s mighty currents roll.
Gleaming, sparkling, rivaling Hidalgo’s Gold.
In a grove, where the stately Pine trees tower,
Blending with the Oak, the Ash and wild Flower,
Quickly, their lips meet and arms entwine,
Secluded they are, by the Rattan-vine,
This love doesn’t any boundary know.
The Savage speaks, ’tis time to go.
They match wits, the Hidalgo and the Fleur de Lys.
Fiesta and Fandangero, invited, they all come to see.
This Wilderness Road, which both Friend and Enemy Travel
This intricate-mess, shall two men unravel
From Crescent-City to Natchitoches and on to Mexico,
Past Los Adais and Presidios, must Saint and Sinner go.
This Land—’tis Mine, ’tis Yours, ’tis Mine.
To the Stars and Stripes the Savage states, ’twas Mine.
To his God, Ayandt Daddi, in a blanketed-blue sky,
He looks and he questions, “Whither goest I?”
To his people, his eyes reflect his fears,
Caddo generosity paid, with “A Trail of Tears.”