Executive Office
Austin April 27, 1861.
Sir,
You are ordered to put the ``Austin City Light Infantry'' Company under your
command in immediate march for San Antonio, for the protection of that City, and
such other service in emergency as may be required of you at that place by the
commanding officer thereof. This order you will perform with as much dispatch as
possible under the circumstances. Transportation and subsistence will be
furnished your command to San Antonio, at which place you will be subsited by
the proper officer of the Confederate States. Your company is called into the
service under the requisition made upon me by Col. Van Dorn for two thousand
volunteers to meet be concentrated at San Antonio.
I have the honor to be
Your Obt. Sert.
Edward Clark
Capt. B. F. Carter
Austin
Texas.
x. I rely confidently upon the courage and gallantry of your company to
sustain the reputation of Texans in whatever service they may be employed.
Edward Clark was the first Confederate Governor
of Texas, succeeding Sam Houston on March 16, 1861. Benjamin Franklin Carter
became the first Captain of Company B, Fourth Texas Infantry. Carter rose to the
rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Fourth Texas before being mortally wounded on
July 2, 1863 at Gettysburg.
Source: Texas State Archives and Library
Transcribed by: David Golimowski