Letter from Senator Samuel B. Maxey

Notes

John James Ingalls was elected to the U.S. Senate from Kansas in 1873, where he served for 18 years.

Dixon Stansbury Miles was a career United States Army officer who served in the Mexican-American War and the Indian Wars. He was mortally wounded as he surrendered his Union garrison in the Battle of Harpers Ferry during the American Civil War and died September 16, 1862.

Captain Charles Hanson, killed August 20, 1847 at the battle of Contreras, Mexico

Lieutenant Colonel W. H. Emory, was directed to collect all the troops in the Indian Territory (the five companies of the 1st regiment) and marched them to Fort Leavenworth, reaching that post May 31, 1861.

Gabriel Rene Paul was a career officer in the United States Army most noted for his service as a Union Army general in the American Civil War.

James W. Throckmorton was the 12th Governor of Texas from 1866 to 1867 during the early days of Reconstruction. He was a United States Congressman from Texas from 1875 to 1879 and again from 1883 to 1889.

Samuel Bell Maxey was assigned 7th Infy as 2nd Lieut in 1846 joining at Monterrey, Mexico, and resigned in 1849. He was a Major General for the Confederacy in the Civil War and later represented Texas in the U.S. Senate.

United States Senate Chamber,
Washington, April 10, 1876

Hon John J. Ingalls
U.S. Senator, Chm Comt on Pensions

In support of the application of Franklin Rounds this day filed for a pension, I state that I joined the 7th U.S. Infy as Bv^t 2^d L^t in the fall of 1846 at Monterey, Mexico, and shortly thereafter became acquainted with the petitioner Franklin Rounds, who was then Orderly Serg^t of Cap^t D. S. Miles Company in said Regiment. From that time on to the close of the war I knew Rounds, and know that he was an excellent soldier. I distinctly remember his service at the battle of Contreras from a circumstance indelibly imprinted on my memory. I was in command of the Color Company. The Company to which Rounds then belonged and of which he was Orderly Sergt was next to my left and was then commanded by Cap^t Chas. K. Hanson. I [____] from the right to the left of my company - the Brigade then in line of battle and in the final [app___] Hanson was on the

right and in the front rank, Rounds immediately in his rear. Hanson was fatally shot and caught by Rounds as he fell. There being no other officer with Cap^t Hanson company, I directed Rounds to take charge of the Cap^t and I took charge of both his and my company. This was about 100 yards from the Enemy fortification. After the war was over I lost sight of Rounds, and did not [meet] him till early in May 1861. He was then in charge of Fort Arbuckle as Ordnance Sergeant, having been left there as I learned on the withdrawal of the troops by then Co^l now Gen^l W. H. Emory. I went with troops in the [interest] of the Confederate States. The Fort was captured. Resistance would have been folly as Rounds had no force.

He has since written to me and I have no doubt of its truth that I advised him that an attempt to pass the lines would be [______] and that the best thing he could do would be to remain perfectly quiet until some turn in affairs might enable him honorably to rejoin the Army. I know that Rounds came to see me, and relied on my friendship. What advice I gave him I know I considered [first] to the side

I served and [___] to him. Sometime during the war, and while I was in command on the Confederate side of the District of the Indian Territory I heard of Rounds in Fort Smith Ark. then under the control of the Federal Army. Rounds as before stated was an excellent soldier. He was in no default whatever at Fort Arbuckle, but retained his [post] till captured. As to his service in Mexico, Gen^l Gabriel R. Paul now in the city is as conversant as myself. Gen Paul then being a Captain in said 7^th Inf^y Hon J. W. Throckmorton of Texas, U.S. H^o Rep^s was with me at Fort Arbuckle in May 1861, and is conversant with the facts connected with the capture. Rounds writes me that he is poor and old. I refer the Comt^e to the evidences of his honorable service which I [f__], which as they are greatly prized by him I would like to have returned to me when the Committee is through with them.

Most Respy
Y^r Ob^t Serv^t
S. B. Maxey