CHAPTER XLIII.

An Act to muster into service minute men for the protection of
the frontiers.

        Section1.  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of
Texas, That there shall be mustered into the service of the State,
twenty-four companies of minute men, for the protection of the
frontier from the raids of the Indians and other marauding parties. 
The term of service to be for twelve months from the day of general
muster; each company to consist of one lieutenant, to be elected by
the company, two sergeants, two corporals and fifteen men, to be
stationed in each of the following counties, to wit: Montague,
Cook, Wise, Jack, Parker, Palo Pinto, Erath, Comanche, Brown,
San Saba, Hamilton, Lampasas, Burnet, Llano, Mason, Gillespie,
Blanco, Kerr, Kendall, Bandera, Medina, Uvalde, Maverick and
Webb.
        Sec. 2.  That the minute companies, organized by virtue of
this act, shall at all times hold themselves in readiness to meet and
repel an Indian raid, or depredations on the frontier counties of the
State.
        Sec. 3.  That it shall be the duty of the Governor of the
State to see that the minute companies are provided with arms and
ammunition suitable to this service.
        Sec. 4.  That the minute companies, shall not be called into
the field at any other time than in this act provided, unless the
officer in command shall receive notice that there is, or unless there
is a strong probability of a Indian or other marauding raid, or unless
he shall receive notice from the officer commanding an adjoining
post, that his services are required in the field.
        Sec. 5.  That the minute companies shall receive the sum of
two dollars per diem, for the time actually taken in the field in
guarding the frontier; but the time shall in no case exceed ten days
in any one calendar month; and no person shall be entered as of any
of the said minute men, unless he is an inhabitant of the county, or
the county adjoining.
        Sec. 6.  That the officer in command of a minute company
shall keep up his communications with the minute companies
adjoining, and he shall be allowed to expend not more than thirty
dollars per month in this service; but he shall not receive pay, unless
he shall present vouchers for the amount, per month, expended in
this service, therein specifying the party performing service, and the
nature thereof; and no money shall be paid from the Treasury of the
State unless proper vouchers are had.
        Sec. 7.  That the pay of the minute companies organized by
virtue of this act shall come out of the balance (after paying off the
ranger companies now in service) of the money now in the hands of
the Governor, the proceeds of the hypothecation of the bonds
issued for the frontier defence by an act, approved August 5, 1870,
and should there be a balance remaining of the said moneys after
paying off said ranger companies, and the minute men organized by
virtue of this act, for twelve months service, then the remainder of
the moneys if any, shall be paid over by the Governor into the State
Treasury, to be applied to the future protection of the frontier.
        Sec. 8.  That every minute man shall provide himself with a
good and sufficient horse, such as the officer in command of
company shall accept as suitable for the service, and if any minute
man's horse shall be killed, prematurely disabled, or unavoidably
lost in action, the same shall be paid for by the State; the amount to
be assessed by the three highest officers in command not interested
in the award: that the commanding officer in charge shall make a
monthly report to the Governor of the State, of his command, and
the nature of the services performed.
        Sec. 9.  That should marauding companies or Indians
succeed in seizing any property of the frontier citizens, the same on
identification, shall be delivered up to the owners free of all charge;
and should there be any cost incurred in taking charge thereof, the
cost shall be borne by the State.  But should there be no owner
found for property taken, the same shall be divided amongst the
captors, share and share alike.
        Approved November 25, 1871.

The Laws of Texas 1822-1897, Volume VII, pages 34-6.
Compiled and Arranged by H.P.N. Gammel
Austin: The Gammel Book Company, 1898
Archives Division - Texas State Library