THE RANCHERO [Corpus Christi, TX]
October 22, 1859 ? January 21, 1864
Note: Issues are out of order with large gaps
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THE RANCHERO [Corpus Christi, TX], September 15, 1860, p. 2, c. 3
K. G. C.?A detachment of Knights of the Golden Circle, under the command of Capt. P. H. Thorpe, passed through this city?leaving here this morning on foot, for the general rendezvous near Brownsville, on the Rio Grande.
THE RANCHERO [Corpus Christi, TX], September 22, 1860, p. 2, c. 2
The K. G. C.?Another small detachment of K. G. C. arrived here this week. Those who passed through here last week are at the Banquete. It appears that they are bound to suffer disappointment, as they expected to meet a large force composed of members of their order at some point in Encinal county, a place of rendezvous, subsequent to a march upon Matamoras, which place was to be occupied by a portion, while the main force marched and occupied Monterey, as a place for head-quarters. As it is, there are no Knights in Encinal county, nor no one, ten, or fifty thousand concentrated at any point in this section?hence the disappointment. Manuel Doblado is no where to be heard of and the pronunciamento of Comonfort is still in the dark.
The Knights who are here, and have passed through this place, are orderly and gentlemanly in their bearing, and one would suppose them to be of those who are not likely to be gulled by the prospect of a rancho in Mexico, or in case it did not suit, to receive in lieu thereof eight hundred dollars in cash. The fallacy of such stories, it seems, will never be apparent other than to such as have gone "regularly through the mill."
THE RANCHERO [Corpus Christi, TX], September 29, 1860, p. 2, c. 1
The Knights.?The last detachment of Knights of the Golden Circle that arrived here, instead of going farther toward the "seat of war," left, we understand, for their respective homes. Those who went to the Banquete, came back here and did likewise; and as they performed the trip into the country and back on foot, will satisfy the Civilian they did not carry bridles with them.
This morning another party of K. G. C., from the States, arrived here. There must be mismanagement on the part of the leaders, or else a concentration of forces would be better understood.
THE RANCHERO [Corpus Christi, TX], October 13, 1860, p. 2, c. 2
K. G. C.?The last party of gallant knights arrived here, that took a trip up the country, for the knew "there must be at the least calculation one thousand warriors up there somewhere," and that all Mexico would be a toy for their future amusement. But, lo! they have returned, having been disappointed in the number of braves they expected to find at the lowest calculation one thousand men.
THE RANCHERO [Corpus Christi, TX], October 27, 1860, p. 2, c. 4
K. G. C.?The arrival and return of squads of men to and from this point, who belong to this mysterious order, and the apparent mismanagement on the part of their leaders, has been a matter of much comment in our community. The knights who arrived here seemed to be in as much need of light upon the subject as ourselves. The following letter written by Gen. Bickley, dated Austin, Oct. 9th, and published in the Galveston News of the 20th, may serve to partially enlighten our readers upon the subject:
["] I regret very much that it was not in my power to remain long enough in Galveston to address your citizens in behalf of the K. G. C. I desired this, because I feel perfectly confident that the principles involved in the success of this organization have not been fully appreciated in Southern Texas, or I should not have met with so much opposition from a portion of the press.
The obstacles which I have had to overcome have been greater than my most sanguine friends could have anticipated. For instance?many of the most prominent men in the organization believe that no attempt should be made until the first of December, at which time we may be more needed at home than abroad. Again, it has been reported that no provisions can be had in Texas to sustain our men while organizing, and this has rendered the men timid about remaining upon the frontier long enough to collect our forces. Many sanguine friends have gone to the Rio Grande without being duly prepared and these must necessarily become discouraged. To procure the arms and necessary materials with which to open the campaign, I have had to traverse every section of the Southern States?to combat misrepresentation, and build up an influence for the order, before anything could be done. This work has fallen altogether on me. Besides, the recent failure of Gen. Walker in his expedition to Honduras, and the silence of our Government in reference to the intervention of the British, has caused many to fear that our task would be more difficult than had been previously supposed. The difficulty of transporting large quantities of materials and troops across the country, and the approaching Presidential contest, have all shown how necessary to success is the element of time. Arms that ought to have been at our rendezvous have not arrived, and agents have to be sent in search of them. Corn must be shipped from the Ohio river and the force in this State simultaneously assembled. All this is the work of time. To throw ourselves in a body of 400 or 500 men only across the river would insure disaster. This will not do?if I cross, it must be with every element of success in my hands, viz: men, arms, and material. We shall cross at the earliest possible moment, and I only ask our friends and the press to give us that assistance which we ought to expect of them. Give us a few weeks, and all will come out right. I shall thoroughly canvass the State, and then, if Texas refuses to assist me, I cannot succeed, for I am only one man, and am strong only as I am surrounded by strong men.["]
The Matamoros correspondent of the N. O. Crescent, seems to take a vice versa view of this would be warlike order. He writes:
["] Talking of war puts me on my guard to caution all you folks not to be caught in Gen. Bickley's new humbug?the Golden Circle. The authorities here do not know hide nor hair of the matter, and it will meet with resistance from all classes. What foundation Gen. Bickley has for his movement is past my comprehension, for I know that he is not authorized to raise men on behalf of the Mexican Government. I think that all engaged in it are on a fool's errand, and that Gen. Bickley is only manoeuvering the public out of its money. ["]
THE RANCHERO [Corpus Christi, TX], November 3, 1860, p. 2, c. 5
Gen. Bickley's K. G. C. Speech at Austin.?The San Antonio Herald publishes a two column and a half report of Gen. Geo. Bickley's K. G. C. speech at Austin on the 17th. He disclaimed the title of a fillibuster for himself or order?intimated that they were a humanitarian society?would "perfect" negro slavery in the South and extend it abroad?were not leagued with any political party in the country?did not propose to march into Mexico as an armed force, but as a defensive colony, (per invitation of certain intelligent State Governors,) pledging allegiance and assistance to the liberal people of that country, who are kept "under the surf" by their revolutionary brethren, etc., etc.
The K. G. C. platform reads well on paper, but we have serious doubts whether there is enough powder in their guns to cure the "sick man" on the other side of the Rio Grande. The Mexicans are not very apt to affiliate with the "barbarians of the North," and well informed letter writers say that such a movement as that spoken of by Gen. Bickley, would meet with determined resistance from all parties. We advise young men in the States to stay with their parents a while longer, and seek some surer path to emolument and fame than becoming Bickley Mexico colonists.
THE RANCHERO [Corpus Christi, TX], May 18, 1861, p. 2, c. 6
K. G. C.
Regular meetings of the Castle of the K. G. C.'s will be held every Friday evening, at the hour of one-half past seven o'clock, in the Virginia House, in this city. Punctual attendance of the members is requested. By order of the Castle.
Thos. E. Hooper, Sec'y.
Captain, Wm. I. Moor; Lieutenant, H. W. Berry; Inspector, Simon Jones; Guide, George Pfeiffer; Sergeant, Chas. E. Clark; Treasurer J. Zeigler; Secretary, Thos E. Hooper.
THE RANCHERO [Corpus Christi, TX], July 6, 1861, p. 2, c. 4
The Fourth in Corpus.
Last Thursday was a day which will long remain green in the memory of those who participated in its festivities. All seemed to enjoy themselves, and all were on the move from morning till night. No disorderly conduct occurred to mar the pleasures of the day, each man, woman and child seeming to make it an especial duty to promote harmony and good will.
A salute from the big gun at ten o'clock was the signal for the ball to open. We have not the time nor space to speak as fully as we should like of the various features of the day, and therefore will allude to each briefly:
The Sunday School celebration at the Court House, was really a feast of reason and flow of soul. The children of the city, attired in neat holiday dress, entertained a crowded house from ten to near four o'clock with songs, declamations, dialogues, etc. Rev. J. P. Perham made a very eloquent and stirring opening address.
The military of the city, consisting of the Artillery company, Capt. Hunsaker, and the Light Infantry, Capt. Newman, made a very imposing parade. The music was furnished gratuitously by Prof. Goddat, who won for himself golden opinions, not only as a musician, but as a public-spirited, patriotic, whole-souled gentleman.
Messrs. Shaw and Barnard, proprietors of "La Retama," set out what they termed a free lunch, at half past eleven, which we were inclined to regard as a most sumptuous free dinner. It was emphatically the best public dinner we ever partook of in Corpus.
In the afternoon, the K. G. C., a numerous body, who have heretofore been regarded as a very mysterious order, marched through our streets, even as other men, and in a very quiet and orderly manner filed into Zeigler's Hall, where a sumptuous and tempting table awaited them. Geo. Pfeuffer, Esq., made a telling speech, the Knights made a telling impression upon the good things spread before them, and numerous pert toasts were drank.
The remainder of the day was consumed in social amusements and fire-side reunions. Long may the citizens of Corpus retain the public spirit they manifested Thursday.
THE RANCHERO WAR EXTRA [Corpus Christi, TX], July 20, 1861, p. 2, c. 3
Castle K. G. C.
At a meeting of the Corpus Christi Castle K. G. C., on the 19th of July, 1861, the following resolution was passed, and ordered to be published in The Ranchero:
Resolved, That the members of said order who have not yet taken the oath of allegiance to the Confederate States of America, come forward as soon as possible and take the same. Thos. E. Hooper, Secretary.
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