In conformity with the decree of the Superior Government of the Mexican Nation dated at the City of Mexico the 18 day of February 1823 and in complyance with the commission and instructions issued to me by Brigidier General Don Felipe de la Garza Commandant General of the Eastern Internal Provinces dated at the city of Monterrey the 16 day of June 1823 whereby I am fully empowered and ordered to form a Battalion of Militia in this Colony so soon as the number would justify it and to command the same with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel until the organization of this Colony is finally completed and the Militia are regulated by the Ayuntamientos agreeably to the laws on that subject; and considering that our numbers are sufficient to form a Battalion and that the public security requires it I have thought proper to order that a Battalion shall be immediately organized in the following manner—to continue untill the Government order otherwise, or untill the augmentation of numbers may require an alteration—

1—-The Militia on the Brazos River and its waters above the Coshatta road will form the first company—

2—The Militia on the said Brazos River and its waters from the Coshatta road to the upper line of League No 22 including the East bank of the Bernard to opposite the 22d League on a west course, will form the second Company—

3—The militia on said Brazos River and its waters from the lower line of the 2d Company to the Sea Shore and as far East as the Chocolate Bayou and including both banks of the Bernard from the Mound down will form the third company—

4—The Militia on the Colorado River and its waters above a west south west line that will pass through the Eagle Lake, as far west as Labaca, and including all the waters of the Bernard north of the Coshatta road will form the fourth Company —-

5—The Militia on the said Colorado River and its waters South of the 4th Company, as far west as La Baca and including both banks of the Bernard from the lower line of the 2d Company down to the Mound and the settlements of the Bay Prairie will form the fifth Company.

Agreeably to the Militia law of the Mexican Nation a full company of Militia consists of from 60, to 100 men with 1 Captain, 4 Lieutenants, 5 Sergeants 12 Corporals 2 drummers and 1 fifer— The officers and non commissioned officers will therefore be regulated in this Battalion according to this standard in proportion to the strength of the respective Companies—and therefore when the Company consists of less than 60 and more than 45 men the officers will be 1 Captain 3 Lieutenants, 4 Sergeants 6 corporals 1 drummer 1 fifer—when the Company consists of less than 45 and over 30 the officers will be 1 Captain, 2, lieutenants—3 Sergeants and 4 corporals—under 30 men will form detachments and be commanded by 1 Lieutenant and the necessary number of non commissioned officers—

The staff consists of the Lieutenant Colonel Commandant one adjutant with the rank of captain, one sub-adjutant with the rank of Lieutenant—one standard bearer or Ensign—One quarter master sergent and one surgeon—All the Company officers and non commissioned officers will be elected by the men of the respective Companies—San Felipe de Austin June 22. 1823 [1824]

Stephen F. Austin Lieut. Col. of Militia

MILITIA OFFICERS

[June 22, 1824.]

Andrew Robinson Capt. 1 Company Militia Samuel S Brown 1 Lieut do do Jas. Alexander 2d Lieut Simon Miller 3 Lieut Horacio Chrisman Capn 2d Compy Seth Ingram 1 Lieut do do James Baird 2 do do John McClosky 3 do do Randal Jones Cap 3d Compy David Shelby 1 Lieut do Jesse Burnham Capn. 4th compy. John Hadden 1 Lieut do Amos Rawls Capn. 5 Compy Thos Rabb 1 Lieut