[George E. Pickett]. Archive Related to His Service in Texas comprised of twelve letters, orders, and other military documents spanning the years 1849 through 1855. Following the conclusion of the Mexican War, future Confederate General George E. Pickett returned with his regiment, the U.S. 8th Infantry, to the United States and served for several years on the frontier of Texas.

Arriving sometime in April 1849, Pickett received Order No. 19, in which he was instructed to "act as asst. comssy of subsistence to it until its arrival at San Antonio, Texas." During the war, he had served as regimental quartermaster for the 8th. Two months later, he received an urgent dispatch from the headquarters of the 8th, dated June 19, 1849, reading, in part: "You will proceed with a detachment of thirty mounted men, detailed from the 8th Infantry, leave to a point on the Leone road . . . where a murder of seven American citizens has recently been committed by a party of Indians. . . you will proceed to the post on the Leona, and there taking with you Company "C" 2nd Dragoons . . . continue your course . . . pursue the murderers with energy and use every endeavor to overtake them. If you should fall upon them, and are satisfied that they are the guilty persons, you will put them to death on the spot. . . . all other Indians you will compel to return to the country beyond the line of military posts, and inform them that on no account will they be permited [sic] to pass that line, under pain of being treated as enemies." Ten days later, Pickett penned a legal document certifying that he abandoned seven horses that were "broken down and totally unable to keep up with the command . . . whilst on a scout after Indians." A year later he was again on the trail of "a party of Indians reported to have stolen thirty horses from the vicinity of Georgetown on the night of the 30th October."

Also included is a receipt, handwritten by Pickett, "Received Fort Bliss Texas, September 19th 1855 of Capt. Geo. E. Pickett U.S.A. Forty five dollars in full of his indebtedness to me," and signed by Timothy Devine. With several ordnance receipts and invoices, such as one dated 1849 containing a list of goods "expended and worn in the public service at San Antonio thence in pursuit of Indians . . . under the direction of Lieut. George E. Pickett 8th Infantry Comdg."

This is a fine archive from a period of Pickett's life that is little talked about.